An Ohio jury has ordered Total Quality Logistics (TQL) to pay $22.5 million after determining that the company's decision to deny a high-risk pregnant employee's request to work from home contributed to the death of her newborn daughter.
The incident took place in Hamilton County. The jury concluded that TQL was 90% responsible for the total $25 million in damages awarded.
According to court records, Chelsea Walsh underwent a pregnancy-related procedure in early February 2021 and was classified as high-risk by her doctor. Medical orders required restricted movement, bed rest, and working from home.
However, when Walsh requested to work remotely, the company refused and required her to return to the office to complete leave paperwork. She was subsequently placed on temporary leave—a move her family stated was contrary to her wishes.
On February 24, the company finally approved Walsh’s request to work from home following an inquiry from a third party. However, on that same day, she was hospitalized due to complications and gave birth to her daughter, Magnolia Walsh, at 20 weeks and 6 days gestation. The baby passed away just hours after birth, recalling other heartbreaking cases of infant deaths in other states.
Lawyers for the family argued that Walsh followed doctor’s orders and only requested reasonable accommodations. The jury determined that this refusal directly contributed to the severe consequences.
TQL expressed condolences to the family but disagreed with the verdict, claiming facts were misrepresented during the trial. The company is currently considering its next legal steps.
