DETROIT — A prominent insurance provider in Michigan is currently negotiating to potentially settle over 100 lawsuits filed by employees who were terminated for refusing to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, as indicated in court documents.

This development follows a jury’s decision three months ago that awarded more than $12 million to a former employee, Lisa Domski, who had dedicated over three decades to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.

Although the award amount is expected to be lessened due to existing limitations on punitive damages, both Blue Cross and Domski’s attorney, Noah Hurwitz, requested that a federal judge temporarily pause the proceedings while they engage in mediation for a possible “global resolution” concerning similar cases.

While both Blue Cross and Hurwitz opted not to make any additional comments regarding the situation on Friday, Domski, who worked as an IT specialist, claimed her dismissal was rooted in religious discrimination. She contended that her Catholic beliefs conflicted with the vaccination policy instituted by Blue Cross in 2021, which did not allow for an exemption.

Blue Cross has firmly denied any allegations of discrimination, asserting that Domski did not present a legitimate religious belief.

The jury found in November that Domski was entitled to approximately $1.7 million in lost wages, $1 million in non-economic damages, and $10 million in punitive damages.

U.S. District Judge David Lawson reviewed arguments regarding the potential reduction of the awarded amount in January, although he did not reach a decision at that time. Domski’s legal team admitted that punitive damages awarded cannot surpass $300,000.