Two former University Health employees have filed a lawsuit alleging they were fired for reporting that fire alarm installation work was performed by a subcontractor’s unlicensed workers and was “dangerously defective.”

“It’s a really concerning thing because the health and safety of thousands of patients is at stake here,” said Charles Riley, a San Antonio lawyer representing Matthew Akes and Wade Phillips, who both worked in University Health’s Facilities Management Department.

The pair also alleges that University Health “engaged in efforts to cover up” evidence after they alerted officials about an “illegally installed fire alarm system” at buildings in the South Texas Medical Center.

The men have sued, citing a violation of the Texas Whistleblower Act — which protects public employees who report illegal acts. They seek damages ranging from $250,000 to $1 million.

A University Health spokeswoman said it doesn’t comment on litigation.

Riley is working with University Health in an effort to get the dispute resolved out of court. But he said was spurred to initiate the action because of a 90-day filing deadline after an alleged retaliatory act occurs. The suit was filed Monday in state District Court in San Antonio.

University Health fired the men on Dec. 18, the suit says.

Akes was director of regulatory oversight and had started work at University Health in 2023, his LinkedIn profile says. Phillips had served as director of facilities management since 2021, his ...

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