Payout for scientist fired for refusing jab

Jury awards $687,000 to researcher who rejected demand to be injected

- ZACHARY STIEBER

A FEDERAL jury has awarded $687,000 to a research scientist who was fired from BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee for refusing to comply with the company's covid-19 vaccine mandate.

Tanja Benton, who had worked at the firm for 16 years when she was fired, was awarded $177,240 in back pay, $10,000 in compensation, and $500,000 in punitive damages, according to a document made public by the federal court in eastern Tennessee on June 30.

Company officials told Ms Benton in August of 2021 that she would need to be 'fully vaccinated' to keep her position, according to her lawsuit. Ms Benton refused, saying aborted foetal 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 dishonour God.'