A jury awarded more than $12 million on Friday to a woman who lost her job at a major Michigan insurance company after she refused to get a COVID-19 vaccine on religious grounds.
Lisa Domski, an IT specialist who worked for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) for nearly three decades, was wrongfully terminated and discriminated against after the company introduced a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy.
Citing religious beliefs, Domski applied for an exemption to the mandate, asserting that the vaccine conflicted with her Catholic beliefs. According to court documents, BCBS denied her exemption request and fired her in 2022.
Domski argued in court that the company’s decision violated her First Amendment rights and Michigan civil rights laws, which mandate reasonable accommodations for employees’ religious beliefs in the workplace.
After a multi-day trial, the jury sided with Domski, awarding her $2 million in compensatory damages for lost wages and emotional distress and $10 million in punitive damages. The award was intended to punish the insurance giant and deter similar behavior by other employers.
Legal experts say the high punitive figure reflects the jury’s message about the importance of respecting religious beliefs when implementing employment policies. Domski’s case could have broad implications for future religious discrimination claims against companies enforcing health mandates.
Her attorney argued during closing statements that the verdict should encourage companies to reconsider mandatory policies that may infringe on workers’ religious freedoms. Legal scholars suggest that the case could influence broader employment practices related to religious accommodations, especially as more companies implement policies tied to public health and personal medical decisions.
“Our forefathers fought and died for the freedom for each American to practice his or her own religion… Lisa refused to renounce her faith and beliefs and was wrongfully terminated from the only job she had ever known,” Domski’s attorney, Jon Marko, said in a statement after the verdict.
Domski’s win adds momentum to a series of legal battles across the United States, where courts are increasingly tasked with balancing public health policies against individual religious freedoms. The Biden administration’s attempt to enforce a vaccine mandate for businesses with more than 100 employees faced significant legal challenges, ultimately leading to a Supreme Court ruling in early 2022 that blocked the mandate.
BCBSM says it may appeal the verdict, but the significant financial implications of the ruling could prompt companies to adopt more flexible policies to avoid costly litigation.
“While Blue Cross respects the jury process and thanks the individual jurors for their service, we are disappointed in the verdict,” the health insurance giant said in a statement following the decision. “Blue Cross is reviewing its legal options and will determine its path forward in the coming days.”
Domski’s attorney said this victory represents a critical affirmation of religious freedoms in the workplace. As companies navigate the post-pandemic landscape, Domski’s win may encourage more employees to demand recognition of their religious freedoms while signaling that corporations may need to exercise caution when implementing mandates.
