A Tennessee woman named Tanja Benton was recently awarded a settlement of nearly $700,000 after being fired from her job at BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee (BCBST) for refusing to get the COVID-19 vaccine. The federal jury found that Benton’s refusal was due to a sincerely-held religious belief, leading to her winning over $687,000 in total. This included over $177,000 in back pay, $10,000 in compensatory damages, and $500,000 in punitive damages.
Benton, who worked at BCBST as a bio statistical research scientist from 2005 until November 2022, claimed in her lawsuit that she had minimal contact with others in her role, only interacting with 10 to 12 clients per year. She also mentioned that she never had contact with patients as part of her job and had worked from home for a year and a half during the pandemic without any issues until the vaccine mandate was announced.
When BCBST introduced the vaccine requirement, Benton applied for a religious exemption, which was denied by the company. Despite explaining that she did not have regular contact with people in her position, she was informed that there were no exceptions for her job title and was advised to seek alternative employment. This ultimately led to her termination and subsequent legal action.
In her lawsuit, Benton stated that she refused to get the vaccine because she believed, based on personal research, that all COVID-19 vaccines were developed from aborted fetus cell lines. She expressed that receiving the vaccine would go against her religious beliefs and values.
BCBST defended its decision to implement the vaccine requirement, citing the safety and well-being of employees, members, and communities as a top priority. The company stated that the mandate was in the best interest of those who are most vulnerable in the state.
While BCBST appreciated the service of its former employees, including Benton, the company stood by its decision to enforce the vaccine requirement. Despite multiple attempts to reach out for comment, BCBST did not respond to inquiries from Fox News Digital at the time of publication.
This case sheds light on the complex issues surrounding vaccine mandates in the workplace, religious exemptions, and individual beliefs. It also raises questions about the balance between personal convictions and company policies, especially in times of public health crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.