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Company Ordered To Pay $22.5 Million After Denying Work-From-Home Request Linked To Newborn’s Death

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A jury concluded that a company’s refusal to allow remote work during a high-risk pregnancy played a role in a tragic outcome
Warning: This article contains discussion of baby loss which some readers may find distressing.A jury has awarded $22.5 million in a wrongful death lawsuit involving a newborn who died after her mother’s employer refused to allow her to work from home. The case has drawn attention due to the circumstances leading up to the decision.The damages were awarded to the estate of the baby girl. Her mother, Chelsea Walsh, had asked to work remotely because her pregnancy had been classified as high risk by medical professionals.

 

 

Walsh’s employer, Total Quality Logistics (TQL), initially denied her request to work from home. Jurors in Ohio later determined that this decision contributed to the death of her infant daughter.After her request was turned down, Walsh continued to go into the office. This was despite medical advice that suggested she should avoid doing so due to the risks involved.The lawsuit states that when Walsh asked to work remotely, she was given two options. She could either return to the office or take unpaid leave, which would mean losing both her income and her health insurance coverage.

TQL has said that they disagree with the verdictWLWT/YouTube

 

 

Walsh had already been identified as having a high-risk pregnancy after undergoing a medical procedure meant to prevent early labor. This made her situation more sensitive and required closer care.During the case, it was also claimed that Walsh’s husband reached out to a human resources representative at his own workplace. He shared concerns about how his wife was being treated by her employer.According to the lawsuit, that HR representative then contacted a friend who was a vice president at TQL to raise awareness. During that exchange, the vice president is alleged to have said: “You just saved us a lawsuit.”

TQL later approved Walsh’s request to work from home on February 24, 2021. However, lawyers representing the family argued that the approval came too late to make a difference.On the same day the request was granted, Walsh went into labor. This timing became a key point in the case.The complaint also claims that the company used incorrect paperwork during the process. As a result, Walsh was effectively placed on unpaid leave rather than being given proper workplace accommodation.

According to the lawsuit, she was sent leave-of-absence forms instead of accommodation forms. Based on her doctor’s response, the company then ruled that she was unable to work.

 

 

At that stage, Walsh was around 21 weeks pregnant and began experiencing complications. She had to be admitted to the hospital for urgent care.While there, she gave birth to her daughter, Magnolia, who was still 18 weeks away from full term. The early delivery placed the baby in a very fragile condition.The lawsuit stated that Magnolia “had a heartbeat, was breathing, and exhibited fetal movement,” showing that she was alive at birth despite the circumstances.

 

 

After Magnolia was born, doctors placed her on her mother’s chest. She passed away about 90 minutes later, which added to the emotional weight of the case.Following the trial, jurors concluded that TQL’s refusal to allow Walsh to work from home was a major factor in what happened. They assigned 90 percent of the responsibility to the company.The jury awarded $25,000,000 in total damages. Since TQL was found to be 90 percent at fault, the company was ordered to pay $22,500,000.

Jurors found that the refusal to grant the work from home request led to Magnolia’s deathWLWT/YouTube

 

 

Matthew C. Metzger, a lawyer from Wolterman Law Office who represented the Walsh family, spoke after the verdict and said: “The evidence showed that Chelsea Walsh was following her doctors’ instructions for a high-risk pregnancy and simply asked to work from home.”“The jury found that TQL’s denial of that reasonable request led to the death of her daughter.”Metzger also added: “This is a heartbreaking outcome for a young family.”

 

 

A spokesperson for TQL later responded to the outcome, stating that the company does not agree with the jury’s decision and how the case was presented.“We extend our condolences to the Walsh family,” said TQL spokesperson Julia Daugherty. “We disagree with the verdict and the way the facts were characterized at trial.”She also added: “We are evaluating legal options and remain committed to supporting the health and well-being of our employees.”

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