Hundreds of healthcare workers in the US won their class action lawsuit over forced COVID-19 vaccinations with a settlement of $10.3 million. .The suit against NorthShore University HealthSystem was launched by more than 500 current and former healthcare workers who claimed they were "unlawfully discriminated against" and denied religious exemptions from their employer's mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy. .The Northern District Court of Illinois has awarded a settlement of $10,337,500 as compensation for employees who were not granted an exemption based on their religious beliefs due to the COVID-19 vaccines containing aborted fetal cells. ."We are very pleased with the historic $10 million settlement achieved in our class action lawsuit against NorthShore University HealthSystem," said Horatio G. Mihet, Liberty Counsel vice president of legal affairs and chief litigation counsel in a statement. ."The drastic policy change and substantial monetary relief required by the settlement will bring a strong measure of justice to NorthShore's employees who were callously forced to choose between their conscience and their jobs."."This settlement should also serve as a strong warning to employers across the nation that they cannot refuse to accommodate those with sincere religious objections to forced vaccination mandates." .According to the agreement, it is stated NorthShore does not admit any liability for any of the allegations made against it in the complaint, but has agreed to the settlement "as a suitable compromise" in an effort to "avoid the uncertainty, risk, expense, and burden of protracted and costly litigation." .The settlement is now before the federal district court for approval. .NorthShore admits — based on a review of its employment records — an estimated 523 employees requested and were denied religious exemption or accomodation to its mandated COVID-19 vaccination policy between July 1, 2021 and Jan. 1, 2022. .Employment records also indicate 204 employees complied with the policy and 269 were discharged or resigned. .Liberty Counsel, the firm representing the workers through the class action suit, will be paid out just over $2,000,000 for its attorneys' fees and costs incurred to obtain the settlement for its clients. After all other costs are paid out, claimants will have 30 days to submit their claim and individual payments will be based on how many claims are submitted. .Also included in the agreement, NorthShore will update its policy on religious accomodation to make it consistent with the law, and anyone terminated will be eligible for rehire within 90 days of the final settlement. ."This class wide settlement providing compensation and the opportunity to return to work is the first of its kind in the nation involving COVID shot mandates," said founder and Chairman of Liberty Counsel, Mat Staver. ."This settlement should be a wake-up call to every employer that did not accommodate or exempt employees who opposed the COVID shots for religious reasons." .Staver said he finds is gratifying that the first classwide COVID-19 settlement protects those in the healthcare industry. ."Healthcare workers are heroes who daily give their lives to protect and treat their patients. They are needed now more than ever," he said. .NorthShore also agreed it will not discriminate against any employee based on their sincerely-held religious beliefs and will not retaliate against anyone requesting an exemption or accommodation. .In October, Liberty Counsel — on behalf of several healthcare workers — sent a letter to NorthShore demanding it grant exemptions to those who had sincere religious objections to the COVID-19 vaccines. NorthShore refused to grant any exemption or accommodation requests, at which Liberty Counsel filed the class action lawsuit.
