Barbara Hoey Featured in Law360 Article on Michigan’s Biggest Decisions Of 2024

The battle over COVID-19 vaccine mandates gained significant attention in November 2024 when a Michigan federal jury awarded $12.69 million in damages to Lisa Domski, a former Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan employee. Domski claimed she was unjustly terminated after the company denied her request for a religious exemption from the vaccine mandate.

Law360, which included the Domski case on its list of Michigan’s most significant legal decisions of 2024, quoted Barbara Hoey, highlighting the ongoing complexities surrounding vaccine mandates and accommodations in the workplace.

“The jury must have just been incensed at how this plaintiff’s termination was handled,” said Hoey. ​“I really think it is not a good approach to start a religious accommodation discussion questioning the sincerity of the belief. I advise my clients to presume the belief is sincere and then start the discussion of, ​‘Can we accommodate this person?’ ”

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