A Michigan woman who was fired for refusing the COVID vaccine wins $12 million
A woman who was fired for refusing the Covid-19 vaccine has been awarded more than $12 million in damages after suing her former employer.
Lisa Domski, 66, who worked at health insurer Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) for more than three decades, said she was a victim of religious discrimination.
The company did not grant a waiver to its vaccine policy in October 2021, despite its insistence that it conflicted with its Catholic beliefs.
The insurance company implemented a vaccination policy that required staff to be fully vaccinated or request a religious or medical accommodation.
According to the Catholic HeraldMs. Domski has applied for a religious exemption under the guidelines, which include submitting a written statement explaining her beliefs and providing her priest’s contact information.
The report notes that Ms Domski had ‘sought religious exemption based on her belief that the Covid vaccines in circulation at the time had all been tested or developed using fetal cells that had their origins in abortion.’
Despite following protocol, BCBSM refused Ms Domski’s request and allegedly threatened to fire her if she did not comply.
Her attorney, Jon Marko, said the decision to deny her request was even stranger considering she was working 100 percent remotely as an IT specialist during the pandemic and 75 percent before COVID-19 hit in 2020.
Lisa Domski, 66, worked for health insurer Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) for more than 30 years. Pictured with husband Larry
Even without the vaccine, “she posed no danger to anyone,” Marko said in an interview after the trial.
Ms. Domski refused BCBSM’s request to be vaccinated and was subsequently fired.
A large portion of the award – $10 million – is intended for damages against Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, according to the judgment form.
In addition to damages, the Detroit federal court jury awarded Domski approximately $1.7 million in lost wages and $1 million in non-economic damages.
The Blue Cross denied any discrimination.
In a lawsuit earlier in the case, the insurer said Ms. Domski had no sincerely held religious beliefs.
Ultimately, however, the jury foreman’s verdict was in favor of Ms Domski.
Speaking on behalf of Ms Domski after the ruling, Mr Marko told reporters: ‘Lisa refused to renounce her faith and beliefs and was wrongfully dismissed from the only job she had ever known.
“Today’s jury verdict tells BCBSM that religious discrimination has no place in America and affirms every person’s right to religious freedom.”
Blue Cross released a statement but did not make a spokesperson available for comment.
“Although Blue Cross respects the jury process and thanks the individual jurors for their service, we are disappointed in the verdict,” the health insurer said.
‘Blauwe Kruis is reviewing its legal options and will determine the way forward in the coming days.’
Regarding religious beliefs related to the Covid vaccine, the Catholic Herald notes: ‘Some Catholics have strongly opposed the COVID-19 vaccine, citing the fact that some vaccines have used aborted fetal cell lines in their development used.
In addition to damages, the Detroit federal court jury awarded Domski approximately $1.7 million in lost wages and $1 million in non-economic damages. The Blue Cross denied any discrimination
‘However, the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith clarified in December 2020 that it is ‘morally acceptable to receive Covid-19 vaccines that have used cell lines from aborted fetuses in their research and production process’ if no other options exist.
‘However, the same note made clear that vaccination should not be compulsory, stating that ‘vaccination is not, as a rule, a moral obligation and that it should therefore be voluntary.’
Johnson & Johnson used fetal cell lines grown in a laboratory to develop and produce their vaccine, while Pfizer and Moderna used fetal cell lines to test their vaccines and make sure they work.
None of the fetal cell lines used were the result of abortion.
The payout comes months after Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee paid a woman nearly $700,000 in a settlement after she was similarly fired for refusing to comply with the COVID-19 vaccine requirement on religious grounds.
Tanja Benton, 52, who worked as biostatistical research scientist at BSBST from 2005 until she was fired in November 2022, was awarded a total of $687,000 in her settlement in July.
This amounted to more than $177,000 in back wages following her termination, $10,000 in compensatory damages and $500,000 in punitive damages.
In her lawsuit, the scientist noted that she did not regularly interact with other staffers during her daily duties and never interacted with hospital patients.
Ms. Benton said she submitted a request for a religious exemption, which was denied by the company after telling her she would be released unless she complied.
The company also allegedly told her that there was no vaccination exemption for anyone with her job title and suggested she look for another job.
Mr. Marko, Ms. Domski’s attorney, said he is representing 170 others in separate wrongful termination cases who are taking similar action against Blue Cross Blue Shield Michigan over the 2021 vaccine mandate.
