In a landmark case exposing the harsh realities of corporate mandates, a devout Catholic and longtime employee of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) was awarded nearly $13 million after being fired for refusing to comply with the company’s COVID-19 vaccine policy on religious grounds.
Lisa Domski, an IT specialist with almost 40 years of service at BCBSM, found herself jobless in early 2022 when the company decided her sincerely held religious beliefs weren’t “sufficiently convincing” to exempt her from its vaccine mandate. Domski argued that her faith prohibited her from receiving vaccines developed or tested with fetal cell lines derived from abortions— a conviction that the Catholic Church has historically supported as a valid stance on moral grounds.
In October 2021, BCBSM enacted a sweeping vaccine mandate, demanding that all employees get the COVID-19 shot or apply for religious or medical exemptions by December 8, 2021. Domski applied through the official channels and, despite her record of dedication and her remote work status, her request was denied. She was subsequently placed on unpaid leave and then terminated on January 5, 2022.
Domski’s case isn’t just about an employee’s fight against a mandate; it reveals a disturbing willingness by large corporations to ignore religious freedoms. Working almost entirely from home since the onset of the pandemic, Domski posed no health risk to colleagues or customers, which begs the question: why was she fired?
Blue Cross, however, maintained in court filings that her religious beliefs were not “sincerely held.” They argued that Domski’s remote status did not exempt her from the company-wide policy, even though her only point of contact with others was virtual. Domski’s lawyer, Jon Marko, strongly contested this logic, pointing out that the mandate appeared “arbitrary and woefully inconsistent.” He emphasized that Domski, who had served the company for nearly four decades, was a model employee and presented no threat to anyone’s health while working from her basement.
As the lawsuit unfolded, it became evident that BCBSM’s exemption process was inconsistent and haphazard. Domski’s application included detailed information from her parish priest, yet BCBSM’s review process dismissed her deeply held convictions.
Ultimately, a jury in Detroit saw through the company’s reasoning, awarding Domski $12.69 million—$10 million in punitive damages, nearly $1.7 million for lost pay, and an additional $1 million for non-economic damages. The verdict sent a strong message, as Domski’s case echoes those of countless other Americans forced to choose between their faith and their livelihood. Marko, celebrating the victory, declared it a “major victory” that will set a powerful precedent as similar lawsuits continue to gain traction.
BCBSM has expressed its disappointment in the verdict and stated it is “reviewing its legal options.” But Domski’s win strikes a nerve in a nation where religious freedoms are increasingly under fire from corporations eager to enforce one-size-fits-all policies, regardless of individual conscience.
Domski’s victory isn’t just about compensation; it’s about defending Americans’ right to exercise their faith without fear of retribution from employers. At a time when religious liberties are frequently marginalized, this case serves as a reminder that freedom of belief is not merely a line in the Constitution—it’s a right worth fighting for.
