Detroit, MI — A federal jury has awarded a Catholic woman $12 million after she was dismissed by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan for not complying with the company’s COVID-19 vaccination mandate on grounds of religious belief. This landmark decision has sparked widespread attention due to its implications on religious accommodation in the workplace.
Lisa Domski, a remote worker at Blue Cross for many years, was terminated in January 2022 after her application for a religious exemption was refused. The denial led to legal action which has culminated in a multi-million dollar verdict against her former employer. The jury awarded Domski $10 million in punitive damages, $1.375 million for future wages lost, $1 million for emotional distress and $315,000 in back wages.
The case examined Blue Cross’s compliance with federal and state discrimination laws including the terms set by the 1964 Civil Rights Act and Michigan’s Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act. The verdict signifies a breach in how the health insurer administered its vaccine mandate and handled religious exemption applications.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan has objected to the claims of discrimination, stating that they may seek to appeal. In their response, the company defended their actions, stating that during the pandemic, they worked diligently with their employees to ensure the health and safety of their personnel and the wider community based on a vaccine policy implemented in October 2021. This policy required employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or to obtain an appropriate accommodation for medical or religious reasons.
The response further detailed that the procedure to request accommodations was carefully constructed to respect employees’ legal rights and religious convictions, suggesting that the jury’s decision was disappointing to the company. Blue Cross is currently evaluating its legal options and will outline its next steps shortly.
The verdict has broader ramifications, especially for other similar lawsuits where nearly 180 other former employees have sued the company under similar grounds after their exemption requests were also denied. These cases are being pursued separately and underscore a growing legal examination of corporate vaccination mandates and religious freedoms.
Legal experts suggest that this case could set a significant precedent, as it challenges how companies balance public health directives against individual religious rights. The outcome of Domski’s case and those that follow will likely influence how companies nationwide formulate policies that potentially infringe on employees’ religious practices.
This case serves as a critical reminder of the complexities involved in navigating employee rights and health and safety obligations. Employers across various sectors are advised to take note of this verdict and possibly reevaluate their health mandates and accommodation processes.
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