Former employee Lisa Domski awarded $12.7 million after a jury found Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan discriminated by denying a religious exemption for a COVID-19 vaccine.
Former Employee’s Religious Exemption Rejection Ends in Courtroom Showdown
In a story posted by Law 360, a federal jury has handed down a $12.69 million verdict against Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBS), ruling that the healthcare giant discriminated against Lisa Domski, a former employee, by denying her a religious accommodation to opt out of a COVID-19 vaccine mandate. Domski, a devout Catholic who worked at BCBS for 32 years, argued that receiving the vaccine would violate her faith due to its alleged connection to research on cells derived from aborted fetuses.
After denying her request for accommodation in late 2021, BCBS placed Domski on unpaid leave and terminated her employment in January 2022. The jury’s verdict, which followed a four-day trial, awarded Domski $10 million in punitive damages and $2.69 million in compensatory damages covering back pay and front pay.
Legal Battle Highlights COVID-19 Vaccine Policy Challenges
Domski’s legal team, led by Noah Hurwitz and Jonathan Marko, framed her case around religious discrimination under Title VII and Michigan’s Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act. The plaintiff contended that BCBS applied a discriminatory double standard, treating her religious beliefs differently from other colleagues. BCBS, on the other hand, argued that Domski refused to participate in a required interview to evaluate the sincerity of her beliefs and that its accommodation process adhered to federal guidelines.
“This victory underscores the power of sincerely held beliefs and exposes the risks of applying corporate mandates without sufficient accommodation,” Hurwitz stated following the verdict. “Ms. Domski exemplifies strength, perseverance, and faith.”
BCBS Responds to Jury Verdict; Weighs Legal Options
In a statement, BCBS expressed disappointment but defended the intent behind its COVID-19 vaccine mandate, citing efforts to “promote the health and safety” of its workforce and communities. The company noted that its accommodation process was designed to comply with state and federal laws. BCBS is reportedly reviewing legal options in response to the jury’s decision.
The case’s outcome may influence corporate vaccine policies and religious accommodation processes as employers continue to navigate pandemic-era mandates and employee rights.
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