Former Los Angeles firefighter John Knox shares his journey of fighting to regain his job after being terminated without pay due to the COVID-19 vaccine mandate.
A Catholic woman, who declined the COVID-19 vaccine, has been granted a substantial compensation of nearly $13 million in damages. She took legal action against her ex-employer, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, over her termination as a result of her refusal to receive the vaccine.
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 decision in Detroit. The jury ruled in her favor in a religious discrimination case she had filed against the company. Lisa argued that despite her strong belief in her Catholic faith, the company denied her request for an exemption from their 2021 COVID vaccine policy.
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According to Domski’s lawyer Jon Marko, she had been working remotely during the pandemic and had a hybrid arrangement in place before COVID-19. Marko argues that since Domski’s remote work posed no risk to others, she should have been exemption from the vaccine policy.
According to Marko, the woman who had been working remotely from her basement office for 38 years was not a threat to anyone and had diligently fulfilled all of her job responsibilities.
Marko alleged that after the policy was implemented, 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, the insurer never followed up on this, according to Marko.
According to him, the company purportedly declined her request for accommodation and issued a threat to terminate her employment unless she adhered to the vaccine mandate. Domski, however, chose not to comply and was subsequently dismissed from her position.
Marko alleged that they had determined to discriminate against individuals who held sincere religious beliefs.
In October 2021, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan implemented a policy requiring all employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID or obtain a religious or medical accommodation.
According to court filings examined by Newsweek, the insurer raised doubts about whether Domski’s hesitation to receive the vaccine stemmed from a genuine religious conflict. Marko, Domski’s attorney, revealed that the insurer argued in court that they were unaware of her Catholic faith at the time of her termination, even though she had provided a written statement including contact information for her spiritual advisor.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan was ordered by the court to pay Domski a total of $12.7 million in damages. This includes $10 million in punitive damages, $1.7 million in lost wages, and $1 million in noneconomic damages.
In response to the verdict, the insurer expressed their disappointment and defended their vaccine policy in a statement to Fox News Digital.
In a recent case, a woman from Tennessee was awarded nearly $700,000 in compensation after she was fired for refusing to comply with a COVID-19 vaccine requirement. This incident highlights the growing debate surrounding vaccine mandates and individual rights.
The woman, whose identity remains undisclosed, was employed by a company that implemented a policy mandating all employees to get vaccinated against COVID-19. However, she refused to receive the vaccine due to personal beliefs and concerns about its potential side effects.
As a result, the woman was terminated from her job, sparking a legal battle. She filed a lawsuit against her former employer, claiming that her termination violated her rights and constituted wrongful termination.
The court ruled in favor of the woman, stating that her termination was unjust and violated her rights to make medical decisions for herself. The jury awarded her a substantial amount of money as compensation for the emotional distress and financial losses she endured as a result of losing her job.
This case reflects the ongoing debate surrounding vaccine mandates and individual freedom. While some argue that vaccine requirements are necessary to protect public health, others believe that individuals should have the right to make their own medical decisions.
Employers, in particular, face a challenging dilemma when it comes to implementing vaccine mandates. On one hand, they have a duty to protect the health and safety of their employees and customers. On the other hand, they must also respect the rights and beliefs of their employees.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, it is likely that more cases like this will emerge, further fueling the debate surrounding vaccine mandates and individual rights. It is essential for employers and policymakers to carefully navigate this complex issue, considering both public health and individual freedoms.
“During the pandemic, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and its employees dedicated their efforts to prioritize the well-being and safety of our colleagues, stakeholders, and communities,” states the statement.
“In October 2021, Blue Cross and its subsidiaries took a collective step by implementing a vaccine policy that mandated full Covid-19 vaccination for all employees, with the option to seek religious or medical accommodation. This policy was designed to comply with state and federal regulations while also respecting the genuine religious beliefs of the employees. Although Blue Cross appreciates the dedication of the jury in reaching their decision, we are disappointed with the verdict.”
Domski had to receive the vaccine, even though they were working remotely. (Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
The insurer is currently reviewing its legal options and will decide on its course of action in the coming days.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee recently settled a case with a woman who was terminated for refusing to comply with its COVID-19 vaccine requirement. The settlement amounted to nearly $700,000 in compensation for the woman.