The Liberty Counsel has announced a win in the fight against Covid jab mandates which has potentially set a precedent for class action lawsuits of the same kind.

In what the group is referring to as a “historic” settlement, the Liberty Council, a non-profit religious rights law firm, has touted a victory for over 500 “current and former health care workers” who were fired or placed on unpaid leave for declining to receive a Covid shot.

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In the first-of-its kind suit, the plaintiffs were awarded a$10.3 million settlement against NorthShore University HealthSystem for what the law group argued was religious discrimination.

The24-page settlement, filed Friday in the federal Northern District Court of Illinois, will now move to be approved by a court. It included $10,337,500 compensation to the employees as well as the the rehiring “with accommodations” for eight of the plaintiffs listed in the suit as Jane Does. These were apparently the only eight interested in returning to the health system after the discrimination. However, if others change their minds, they will have 90 days to reapply from the date the settlement is approved, and they will retain their previous level of seniority.

Liberty Counsel Vice President of Legal Affairs and Chief Litigation Counsel Horatio G. Mihet said, “We are very pleased with the historic, $10 million settlement achieved in our class action lawsuit against NorthShore University HealthSystem. 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.”

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Also in the settlement, it is established that NorthShore will change its “no religious accommodations,” instead offering said accommodations to all positions across all of its facilities, bringing it up to snuff with the law. CBN News said, “No position in any NorthShore facility will be considered off limits to unvaccinated employees with approved religious exemptions.”

The payouts, according to the Liberty Counsel, if the settlement is approved and most plaintiffs file for their portion of the claim, “it is estimated that employees who were terminated or resigned because of their religious refusal of a COVID shot will receive approximately $25,000 each, and employees who were forced to accept a COVID shot against their religious beliefs to keep their jobs will receive approximately $3,000 each. Thirteen health care workers who are the lead plaintiffs in the lawsuit will also receive an additional approximate payment of $20,000 each for their role in bringing the lawsuit.”

Mat Staver, Founder and Chairman of Liberty Counsel said, “This classwide settlement providing compensation and the opportunity to return to work is the first of its kind in the nation involving COVID shot mandates.”

“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. Let this case be a warning to employers that violated Title VII. It is especially significant and gratifying that this first classwide COVID settlement protects health care workers. Health care workers are heroes who daily give their lives to protect and treat their patients. They are needed now more than ever.”

Had the healthcare system granted the exemptions previously, Liberty Counsel said, “the matter would have been quickly resolved, and it would have cost it nothing.”

This piece was written by Leah Anaya on July 30, 2022. It originally appeared in RedVoiceMedia.com and is used by permission.

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