Scientist Fired by BlueCross BlueShield for Refusing COVID-19 Vaccine Awarded $687,000 by Jury.
A Tennessee research scientist fired from BlueCross BlueShield for declining to comply with the company’s COVID-19 vaccine obligation has been awarded $687,000 by a federal jury.
An official document released by the federal court in eastern Tennessee on June 30 states that Tanja Benton, who the firm had employed for sixteen years before her termination, was granted a sum of $177,240 in back pay, $10,000 in compensation, and $500,000 in punitive penalties.
Legal documents show that in August of 2021, company representatives informed Ms. Benton that she would be required to be “completely vaccinated” if she wanted to remain employed.
Ms. Benton refused, saying aborted fetal cell lines were involved in the development of the COVID-19 vaccines and she could not “in good conscience consume the vaccine, which would not only defile her body but also anger and dishonor God.”
Due to her work involving “frequent exterior public-facing interactions,” BlueCross BlueShield informed her that she could not continue in her role.
Although BlueCross BlueShield stated that Ms. Benton’s role would have required some face-to-face customer engagement, Ms. Benton claimed that her employment became entirely…
