Vaccine

Federal Judge Reduces COVID-19 Vaccine Dismissal Award for Ex-CTA Employee from $425,000 to $300,000

by

CHICAGO — A federal judge in Illinois has significantly reduced the damages awarded to a former employee of the Chicago Transit Authority from $425,000 to $300,000. This adjustment follows the individual’s claim that he was terminated unjustly for opting not to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The case, which garnered attention due to its implications regarding vaccine mandates and employment rights, involved the employee arguing that his dismissal was retaliatory. The ruling reflects ongoing legal debates surrounding workplace vaccination policies, particularly as they relate to individual rights and corporate responsibilities. In recent years, the requirement for … Read more

Controversial Hearing Explores Religious Vaccine Exemptions Amid Potential Surge in Requests

by

BECKLEY, W.Va. — The second day of hearings regarding religious and philosophical vaccine exemptions has raised significant concerns about the potential repercussions of allowing two Raleigh County families to bypass the state’s vaccine mandate. The court must decide whether approval of these exemptions might lead to a wave of requests from additional families, potentially numbering as many as 570. The families in question are seeking an injunction to challenge the West Virginia State Board of Education’s refusal to grant their religious or philosophical exemptions in light of a recent executive order. This order, issued by … Read more

Jury Awards $425,000 to Former CTA Employee Fired Over COVID Vaccine Dispute

by

CHICAGO — A jury has ruled in favor of a former Chicago Transit Authority employee, awarding him $425,000 in damages after he contended he was wrongfully terminated for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine due to his deeply held religious beliefs. Kevin McCormick claimed that his dismissal violated his rights when he sought a religious exemption from the mandate. According to McCormick, he was not granted the exemption and subsequently lost his job, a move he argued was discriminatory. The jury’s decision, announced on Friday, acknowledged McCormick’s claims and affirmed that his rights were indeed compromised. The … Read more

Ninth Circuit Upholds Dismissal of SAG-AFTRA Vaccine Mandate Lawsuit, Reinforcing Union Representation Standards

by

Los Angeles, California — The Ninth Circuit Court has recently upheld a lower court’s dismissal of a collective lawsuit brought by members of SAG-AFTRA against their union, citing time constraints and legal preemption of claims. The case stemmed from allegations that SAG-AFTRA breached its fair representation duty by negotiating a return-to-work agreement that permitted studio and producer partners to mandate COVID-19 vaccinations, which some union members opposed for various reasons. The U.S. District Court for the Central District of California had previously dismissed the members’ claims on two significant grounds. First, it ruled that the … Read more