Blue Cross Blue Shield Seeks Resolution in Employment Disputes
Lawsuits Over Fired Workers: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan is negotiating a potential settlement for over 100 lawsuits filed by former employees who were terminated for refusing COVID-19 vaccinations, according to recent court records.
Major Legal Battle Over Vaccine Policy
The settlement discussions follow a $12 million jury award to Lisa Domski, a former IT specialist at Blue Cross. She had worked at the company for over 30 years before her termination.
Lawsuits Over Fired Workers: Domski sued the insurer in 2021, claiming she was a victim of religious discrimination after being denied an exemption from the company’s vaccine mandate. She argued that the vaccine conflicted with her Catholic beliefs, while Blue Cross countered that her religious stance was not sincere.
In November 2024, a jury ruled in her favor, awarding:
- $1.7 million for lost wages
- $1 million in non-economic damages
- $10 million in punitive damages
Settlement Talks and Legal Implications
Due to legal caps on punitive damages, the $10 million award is expected to be reduced to $300,000. U.S. District Judge David Lawson has yet to rule on the final amount.
Court filings indicate that Blue Cross and Domski’s attorney, Noah Hurwitz, are now working with a mediator to reach a global resolution for similar lawsuits. Both parties declined to provide additional comments on Friday.
A Precedent for Workplace Vaccine Mandates?
The outcome of these lawsuits could set a precedent for how employers handle religious exemption requests related to vaccine mandates.
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Read the full court filing details here.