Transgender Widow of Deceased Firefighter Sues for Comp Benefits

By Bill Kidd, Central Bureau ChiefA transgender woman whose claim for workers’ compensation benefits as the widow of a volunteer firefighter was denied by the Texas Division of Workers’ Compensation has filed suit in Wharton County District Court to overturn the DWC’s decision.Thomas T. Araguz III died on July 4, 2010, in a fire at an egg plant. His wife, Nikki Araguz, born Justin Grahm Purdue in Carmel, Calif., on June 4, 1975, had undergone a sex-change process and changed her name in 1996.Following Thomas’ death, Nikki sought to obtain workers’ compensation dea...