Jury awards record $12.6 million to woman fired for not getting COVID vaccine

A jury awarded a record $12.6 million to woman fired from Blue Cross Blue Shield Michigan for not getting the COVID-19 vaccine.

Lisa Domski, who worked there for more than 30 years as an IT specialist, received $10 million in punitive damages against Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, about $1.7 million in lost wages and $1 million in other damages, according to reports.

Domski, a Catholic, claimed religious discrimination when her request for an exemption from the vaccine in 2021 was denied. 

"In implementing the vaccine policy, Blue Cross designed an accommodation process that complied with state and federal law and respected the sincerely held religious beliefs of its employees," the company said in a statement on Friday. "While Blue Cross respects the jury process and thanks the individual jurors for their service, we are disappointed in the verdict. Blue Cross is reviewing its legal options and will determine its path forward in the coming days."