Detroit, MI – A Detroit federal court jury awarded over $12 million to a former employee of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan on Friday, who was dismissed after she declined the COVID-19 vaccination on religious grounds. The substantial award includes $10 million in punitive damages.
Lisa Domski, a longtime employee with over 30 years at Blue Cross, brought the case alleging religious discrimination when the company failed to honor her request for a vaccination exemption. Domski claimed her refusal to receive the vaccine was due to her Catholic beliefs, a position she maintained was sincere and justified her exclusion from the company’s mandatory vaccination policy.
Domski’s role as an IT specialist primarily involved remote work. According to her attorney, Jon Marko, she had been working entirely from home during the pandemic and had worked remotely 75% of the time even before the outbreak in 2020. Marko emphasized that her unvaccinated status posed no threat to her colleagues or the company given her remote work arrangement.
In response to their employee’s claims, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan contested Domski’s assertions, stating in court filings that she did not have a sincerely held religious belief.
The jury’s verdict granted Domski approximately $1.7 million for lost wages and an additional $1 million for noneconomic damages, acknowledging the personal and professional impact of her dismissal.
After the trial concluded, Blue Cross expressed respect for the judicial process but disappointment in the verdict. A statement from the company indicated plans to review legal options and determine future steps, hinting at the possibility of an appeal.
The decision could have wider implications on how companies formulate and enforce health policy mandates, especially relating to exemptions based on personal beliefs and the accommodation of remote workers.
This significant legal case highlights ongoing debates and challenges surrounding workplace policies during and following public health crises, especially as they pertain to individual rights and corporate responsibilities.
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