Judge Confirms $7.8 Million Verdict in COVID Vaccine Lawsuit Involving BART Employees

San Francisco, CA — A federal judge has confirmed a $7.8 million jury verdict awarded to a former Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) employee. The employee alleged wrongful termination after raising concerns over the agency’s handling of COVID-19 safety measures, including its vaccine mandate. This decision reinforces the consequences faced by employers for disregarding worker rights, especially during public health crises. The case centered around David Joules, who claimed he was dismissed for his vocal opposition to BART’s mandated coronavirus vaccinations which he argued were implemented without proper consideration of staff feedback. Joules, who had … Read more

Jury Rules in Favor of BART Employees: $7.8 Million Awarded for Denied Religious Accommodations in Vaccine Mandate Case

San Francisco, CA – In a landmark decision, a federal jury awarded over $7 million to six former employees of the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) who were terminated after refusing the COVID-19 vaccine on religious grounds. The verdict was reached after a thorough two-day deliberation period, culminating in a unanimous decision favoring the plaintiffs, who claimed their religious beliefs were unjustly overlooked. The case, which has been closely monitored since its inception in late 2021, began when BART implemented a vaccine mandate without providing religious accommodations, prompting both local and national … Read more

California Jury Decides on BART Worker Discrimination Case Over COVID-19 Religious Exemptions

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — A federal jury in California has reached a decision on a contentious case involving the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART). The trial revolved around allegations that the transit authority discriminated against employees who requested religious exemptions from its COVID-19 vaccination requirement. The jury concluded that BART did indeed engage in discriminatory practices by not adequately accommodating the religious beliefs of certain employees opposed to vaccination. This verdict marks a significant moment for workplace religious freedom cases amidst the pandemic. At the crux of the case were the policies … Read more