EXCLUSIVE: Michigan woman awarded $12 millon by jury after she was fired for refusing COVID-19 vaccine

This could be just the beginning of the lawsuits

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$12 Million COVID-19 Vaccine lawsuit decision

In a groundbreaking verdict that could set a significant precedent for religious discrimination cases across the U.S., a devout Catholic former employee of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) has been awarded nearly $13 million after a jury found that she was wrongfully terminated for refusing to comply with the company's COVID-19 vaccine mandate on religious grounds.

Lisa Domski, an IT specialist from Wyandotte, Michigan, dedicated nearly 40 years to BCBSM before her employment ended abruptly in January 2022. Domski’s refusal to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, based on her belief that the vaccines were developed or tested using fetal cells obtained from abortions, led to her dismissal, despite her formal request for a religious exemption.

BCBSM, which imposed a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy in October 2021, required all employees to be fully vaccinated by December 8, 2021, unless they applied for religious or medical accommodations. Although Domski adhered to the protocol and submitted a request citing her Catholic faith, it was denied. BCBSM subsequently placed her on unpaid leave before terminating her employment on January 5, 2022. She was one of nearly 250 employees dismissed after similar requests for religious exemption were rejected.

During an interview, Jon Marko, Domski’s attorney, emphasized the extensive fight required to reach this outcome. “This jury wanted to send a clear message to Blue Cross that what they did was illegal, immoral, and wrong,” Marko said. “This case is about more than just Lisa—it’s about protecting the religious rights of employees everywhere.”

BCBSM argued in court that Domski did not possess a sincerely held religious belief. However, her attorney pointed out that Domski had been working remotely since the beginning of the pandemic and posed no health risk to her colleagues. “She was working from her basement office, fully fulfilling all her job obligations,” Marko added.

The case faced numerous legal challenges, including motions to dismiss and appeals that reached the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Despite these hurdles, Marko and co-counsel Noah Hurwitz, who initiated the case in Ann Arbor, persevered. The jury in Detroit federal court ultimately sided with Domski, awarding her $12.69 million, including $10 million in punitive damages, $1.7 million for lost pay, and $1 million in non-economic damages.

BCBSM, which reported revenues of $32.8 billion in 2022, expressed disappointment in the jury's decision and indicated plans to review its legal options for appeal. “While Blue Cross respects the jury process and thanks the individual jurors for their service, we are disappointed in the verdict,” the company said in a statement.

During the interview, Marko highlighted the broader implications of this case, underscoring that it serves as a reminder to both companies and government entities about the importance of upholding constitutional rights, even during times of crisis. “Our constitutional rights matter more during times of great stress, like the COVID-19 pandemic,” Marko said. “They don’t go away because there’s an emergency.”

Domski’s victory is one of only three known successful religious accommodation verdicts related to COVID-19 vaccine mandates in the U.S., making it the largest to date. Marko noted that while many similar cases were dismissed or settled out of court, this verdict could inspire hope for others in similar situations. “People should know their rights matter and they should explore their legal options,” Marko said.

The outcome of this case underscores the complex intersection of public health mandates and individual religious freedoms. As BCBSM considers an appeal, Domski’s case may continue to resonate as a significant example of standing up for religious beliefs in the workplace.