Catholic Woman Awarded $12 Million After Blue Cross Denies Religious Exemption for COVID-19 Vaccine

In a landmark decision, a Michigan district court awarded Lisa Domski, a Catholic IT specialist, over $12 million in damages after she sued Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan for firing her over her refusal to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Domski’s lawsuit argued that the vaccine conflicted with her deeply held religious beliefs, sparking a legal debate over corporate policies and religious freedom during the pandemic.

Domski, who had worked at Blue Cross for 38 years—largely remotely—was terminated in 2021 after she requested a religious exemption from the company’s newly implemented vaccine mandate. Citing her Catholic faith, Domski expressed ethical objections due to the vaccine’s development involving fetal cells derived from an abortion, a detail she felt fundamentally clashed with her beliefs. Despite her long tenure and remote work arrangement, Blue Cross denied her exemption and informed her that refusal would result in termination.

“This was a woman working from home in her basement office, who wasn’t a threat to anybody and was completely fulfilling all of her job obligations,” Domski’s attorney, Jon Marko, told Fox News. He emphasized that Domski’s dedication spanned nearly four decades at the company, adding that she “refused to give up her faith” when faced with the mandate.

Marko further contended that Blue Cross had predetermined to deny religious accommodations, describing it as a clear case of religious discrimination. Blue Cross, however, maintained that it had complied with state and federal laws and did not initially know of Domski’s Catholic faith when reviewing her request.

After reviewing the case, a jury concluded that Domski’s firing constituted religious discrimination, awarding her $10 million in punitive damages, along with additional compensation in back pay, front pay, and non-economic damages—bringing the total judgment to nearly $13 million. The jury’s verdict was seen by many as an assertion of the right to religious freedom in the workplace.

In a statement after the ruling, Marko commented, “Our forefathers fought and died for the freedom for each American to practice his or her religion. Neither the government nor a corporation has a right to force an individual to choose between his or her career and conscience.” He emphasized that the jury’s decision reflects that “religious discrimination has no place in America.”

In response, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan expressed disappointment and announced that it is evaluating its legal options. The company reiterated its commitment to protecting public health during the pandemic, stating, “Blue Cross respects the jury process…but we are disappointed in the verdict.” The company underscored that its vaccine policy was designed to respect sincerely held religious beliefs while complying with legal standards.

This case adds to a growing number of legal battles surrounding vaccine mandates and religious exemptions. Earlier this year, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee settled a similar case, paying $700,000 to a woman who was fired for declining the COVID-19 vaccine based on religious beliefs.

For Domski, the verdict represents more than financial restitution—it’s a victory for religious freedom in the workplace.