An Ohio company has been found liable and ordered to pay $22.5 million after denying a pregnant employee’s request to work from home during a high-risk pregnancy.
According to the lawsuit, Chelsea Walsh asked Total Quality Logistics for a remote work arrangement on February 15, 2021, just days after undergoing surgery to prevent early labor. Instead, she was given what her lawyers described as an impossible choice: return to the office and risk her pregnancy, or take unpaid leave and lose income and health insurance.
Walsh went back to the office on February 22. Two days later, she gave birth to her daughter, Magnolia, months premature. The same day, her manager informed her that the company had reversed its decision and approved her work-from-home request.
The lawsuit states that Magnolia was born alive but died in Walsh’s arms about 90 minutes later.
A jury ruled in Walsh’s favor, concluding that the company’s denial of her request contributed to the child’s death. Her legal team argued she was following medical advice and simply sought a reasonable accommodation.
The company expressed condolences but said it disagrees with the verdict and is reviewing its legal options.