Jury Awards $22.5M Over Remote Work During Pregnancy

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An Ohio jury has ordered one of the country's largest freight brokers, Total Quality Logistics (TQL), to pay $22.5 million to a former employee whose newborn died after the company had refused her request to work from home during a high-risk pregnancy. The jury concluded that TQL's denial of a "reasonable request" for remote work contributed to the death of the employee's daughter, Magnolia, who was born at 20 weeks, 6 days and died within hours.

Why it matters

This case highlights the importance of employers accommodating pregnant employees, especially those with high-risk pregnancies, and the legal consequences they can face for denying reasonable requests. It also raises concerns about workplace policies and cultures that may prioritize productivity over employee health and wellbeing, particularly for vulnerable populations.

The details

Chelsea Walsh, a sales employee at TQL, requested to work remotely during her high-risk pregnancy due to medical recommendations of partial bed rest. However, TQL denied her request and placed her on unpaid leave when she objected. Walsh was eventually granted permission to work remotely on February 24, 2021, but she developed complications that day and delivered her daughter, Magnolia, at 20 weeks, 6 days. Magnolia died within hours. The jury found that TQL's denial of Walsh's request for remote work contributed to Magnolia's death and awarded the family $22.5 million in damages.

• In early 2021, Chelsea Walsh requested to work remotely during her high-risk pregnancy.
• On February 24, 2021, Walsh was granted permission to work remotely but developed complications and delivered her daughter, Magnolia, at 20 weeks, 6 days.
• Magnolia died within hours of being born.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow the $22.5 million judgment to stand.