John Knox, a former Los Angeles firefighter, shares his journey to reclaim his job after being terminated without pay due to the COVID vaccine mandate.
A Catholic woman, who refused the COVID-19 vaccine, recently won a lawsuit against her former employer, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, and was awarded nearly $13 million in damages.
Lisa Domski, an IT specialist who dedicated 38 years of her career to the insurance company, recently received a substantial payout following a federal jury’s ruling in her favor. She had filed a religious discrimination case, claiming that the company had refused her request for an exemption from its 2021 COVID vaccine policy, despite her strong belief that it conflicted with her Catholic faith.
According to Domski’s lawyer, Jon Marko, she had been working remotely during the pandemic and had a hybrid arrangement prior to the COVID outbreak. Marko argues that since Domski’s remote work arrangement posed no risk to others, she should have been exempted from the vaccine policy.
Marko, speaking to Fox News Digital, described the woman as a dedicated employee who had been working from her basement office for 38 years. He emphasized that she posed no threat to anyone and had consistently fulfilled all of her job responsibilities.
Attorney Jon Marko and his client Lisa Domski stood outside the Detroit courthouse, filled with elation, after Lisa was granted a staggering $12 million in damages. In a photo provided to Fox News Digital by Jon Marko, the pair can be seen celebrating their victory, a testament to their hard work and dedication throughout the legal battle.
Marko alleged that after the policy was put into effect, Domski submitted a written statement to her employer where she detailed her religious beliefs. She also attached the contact information of her priest and parish. However, according to Marko, the insurer failed to follow up on this submission.
According to him, instead of accommodating her request, the company reportedly denied it and even went as far as threatening to terminate her if she didn’t comply with the vaccine mandate. Domski stood her ground and refused to comply, which ultimately led to her termination.
Marko alleged that they had made a decision to discriminate against individuals who held sincere religious beliefs.
In October 2021, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan implemented a COVID vaccine policy that required all employees to either be fully vaccinated or secure a religious or medical accommodation.
A syringe is positioned alongside vials of COVID-19 booster vaccines at an inoculation station in Jackson, Mississippi on Friday, November 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
According to court documents examined by Newsweek, the insurer raised doubts about whether Domski’s hesitancy to receive the vaccine stemmed from a genuine religious conflict. Marko, speaking to Fox News Digital, revealed that the insurer argued in court that they were unaware of her Catholic faith when she was terminated, despite her providing a written statement that included contact information for her spiritual advisor.
Domski received a staggering $10 million in punitive damages from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. In addition, he was granted an extra $1.7 million to compensate for lost wages, along with $1 million for noneconomic damages.
The insurer expressed their disappointment in the verdict when approached for comment. In a statement to Fox News Digital, they defended their vaccine policy.
“During the pandemic, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and its employees actively prioritized the well-being and safety of our colleagues, stakeholders, and communities,” states the company’s official statement.
In October 2021, Blue Cross and its subsidiaries took action to promote a safe and healthy workplace by implementing a vaccine policy. This policy required all employees to be fully vaccinated for Covid-19, unless they obtained a religious or medical accommodation. Blue Cross carefully developed an accommodation process that adhered to state and federal laws and demonstrated respect for the sincere religious beliefs of its employees. Although Blue Cross appreciates the dedication of the jury and their service, we are disappointed with the verdict.
Domski had to receive the vaccine, even though he was working remotely. (Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
The insurer is currently reviewing its legal options and will decide on its next steps in the coming days.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee recently settled a case by paying a woman almost $700,000 after terminating her for refusing to comply with the company’s COVID-19 vaccine requirement.