DETROIT — A Michigan jury has awarded a woman over $12 million after she lost her job at an insurance company for refusing to receive a COVID-19 vaccination.
The majority of this sum, amounting to $10 million, has been designated as punitive damages against Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, as reported on the verdict form.

Lisa Domski, who had been employed with Blue Cross for more than three decades, claims she faced religious discrimination when the company didn’t approve her request for an exemption from its vaccination requirement, which she argued conflicted with her Catholic beliefs.

Her attorney, Jon Marko, noted that Domski had been working entirely from home as an IT specialist during the pandemic and had worked remotely for 75% of her time at the company before the COVID crisis emerged in 2020.
Marko emphasized that Domski posed no risk to others without the vaccine.

In addition to the punitive damages, the jury in the federal court in Detroit granted Domski approximately $1.7 million in lost wages and $1 million for noneconomic damages.

In response, Blue Cross has maintained that no discrimination occurred, stating in court documents that Domski did not possess a sincerely held religious belief against vaccinations.
The company has hinted at the possibility of filing an appeal, following a statement in which they expressed their disappointment with the verdict.

“While Blue Cross respects the jury process and thanks the individual jurors for their service, we are disappointed in the verdict,” the insurer stated, adding that it is currently assessing its legal options and will determine its future steps shortly.