Catholic Woman Awarded Over $12 Million After Termination for Refusing COVID Vaccine.

Lisa Domski, a Catholic woman who was terminated for refusing to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, has been awarded nearly $13 million in damages. Detroit jury ruled that Blue Cross Blue Shield discriminated against Lisa Domski, by denying her request for a religious exemption from the company's vaccine mandate, which she made based on her "sincerely held religious beliefs."

Lisa Domski with her attorney Jon Marko, outside the federal courthouse in Detroit on Nov. 8, 2024. 

On Friday afternoon, a Detroit jury ruled that Blue Cross Blue Shield discriminated against Lisa Domski, a Catholic from Wyandotte, by denying her request for a religious exemption from the company's vaccine mandate, which she made based on her "sincerely held religious beliefs." The ruling is one of the largest in recent cases involving COVID-19 vaccine mandates and workplace discrimination.

The Legal Case: Religious Discrimination and Vaccine Mandates

Lisa Domski, an IT specialist with 38 years of service at BCBSM, was fired after refusing to comply with the company’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate, which was introduced in October 2021. The company required all employees to be vaccinated or to provide a valid religious or medical exemption.

Lisa Domski, a devout Catholic, sought an exemption based on her religious beliefs, claiming that receiving the vaccine was incompatible with her faith. She also submitted a written statement outlining her beliefs, along with contact information for her priest and parish, in accordance with the company's exemption process.

Despite these efforts, Domski’s request for accommodation was denied, and she was ultimately terminated from her position. Her attorney, Jon Marko, argued that BCBSM failed to properly engage with her request and violated her religious rights. Jon Marko emphasized that Lisa Domski had been working remotely since the start of the pandemic and did not present a risk to others, as her role did not require in-person interaction.

"She was working from home in her basement office, fulfilling all of her job obligations," Jon Marko stated, adding that Lisa Domski posed no threat to workplace safety. "Yet they insisted on firing her based on her sincerely held religious beliefs."

The Court's Ruling: $12 Million in Damages

After a federal jury reviewed the case, the court sided with Domski, awarding her a total of $12.7 million in damages. This includes $10 million in punitive damages, $1.7 million for lost wages, and $1 million for noneconomic damages.

Punitive damages are typically awarded in cases where the defendant's conduct is deemed to be particularly egregious or reckless. In this case, the jury found that Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan acted with malice in its handling of Lisa Domski’s exemption request, particularly considering that she had provided adequate documentation supporting her claim for religious accommodation.

The Dispute: Employer's Response

BCBSM responded to the ruling with disappointment, stating that while the company respects the jury process, it disagreed with the verdict. In a statement, the insurer emphasized its commitment to ensuring the health and safety of its employees and the communities it serves, noting that its vaccine policy was intended to protect everyone during the ongoing pandemic.

"As part of that shared work, Blue Cross and its subsidiaries enacted a vaccine policy requiring all employees to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 or obtain a religious or medical accommodation," the company said. "While we respect the jury process, we are disappointed in the verdict."

Blue Cross Blue Shield also noted that it had designed its accommodation process to comply with state and federal law, ensuring that employees with sincere religious beliefs could seek an exemption. The company is currently evaluating its legal options and will decide on its next steps in the coming days.

The Broader Impact: Vaccine Mandates and Religious Exemptions

Domski’s case is one of several lawsuits challenging COVID-19 vaccine mandates on the grounds of religious discrimination. In a similar case, a woman in Tennessee received a settlement of nearly $700,000 after being terminated for refusing the vaccine on religious grounds. These rulings are part of a broader trend in which employees are challenging the fairness and legality of workplace vaccine mandates, particularly in cases where employees assert that their religious beliefs prevent them from complying.

Jon Marko, Domski’s attorney, has also filed similar lawsuits on behalf of other employees. He is currently representing 170 additional individuals in wrongful termination lawsuits against BCBSM related to the company’s 2021 vaccine mandate. These cases are set to go to trial in the coming year, and Marko’s legal efforts are being closely watched as they could set further precedents for how vaccine mandates and religious exemptions are handled in the workplace.

The Precedent: Religious Rights in the Workplace

Lisa Domski’s victory is significant not only because of the large financial settlement but also because it highlights the ongoing debate over religious freedoms and workplace policies. As vaccine mandates become a norm in various industries, employees who feel their religious beliefs conflict with such policies are increasingly seeking legal recourse. The outcome of this case serves as a reminder that companies must be diligent in considering accommodation requests and respecting the religious rights of their workers.

Lisa Domski’s legal victory against Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan marks an important moment in the ongoing debate over workplace vaccine mandates and religious rights. The $12.7 million award demonstrates the potential consequences for employers who fail to accommodate sincerely held religious beliefs.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) is a nonprofit health insurance provider serving individuals, families, and businesses across Michigan. Founded in 1939, BCBSM is one of the state's largest and most established health insurers, offering a range of health plans including individual, group, and government programs. The company is part of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, a national federation of independent health insurers. BCBSM is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of Michigan residents through affordable healthcare solutions, preventive care, and wellness initiatives.