US Company Ordered to Pay $22.5 Million in Wrongful Death Case A Cincinnati-based freight-brokerage firm has been ordered to pay $22.5 million in damages to the family of a woman whose newborn died after the company denied her request to work remotely during a high-risk pregnancy. The verdict, handed down by a Hamilton County, Ohio, jury, stems from the case of Chelsea Walsh, who gave birth to her daughter Magnolia at 20 weeks and six days in February 2021. Walsh’s pregnancy was classified as high-risk in early 2021 after she underwent cervical surgery to prevent preterm labor. Her medical providers advised her to work from home, limit activities, and follow partial bed rest. However, her supervisors at Total Quality Logistics (TQL) denied her remote work request, requiring her to return to the office. When she objected, she was placed on unpaid leave. Walsh’s husband, Jacob, eventually raised concerns with his employer’s human resources department, which then contacted a TQL vice-president. The HR official warned the executive that denying Walsh’s request could lead to legal action. According to the lawsuit, the TQL executive reportedly thanked the HR official for “saving” the company from a lawsuit. Despite these warnings, TQL did not grant Walsh remote work permission until February 24, 2021—just days before she experienced pregnancy complications. She was hospitalized, gave birth to Magnolia prematurely, and the infant died within hours. The lawsuit alleged that TQL’s refusal to accommodate her medical needs directly contributed to the tragedy. The jury found that TQL’s denial of Walsh’s reasonable request to work from home led to her daughter’s death. The verdict was praised by her attorney, Matthew C. Metzger, who called it a “heartbreaking” case for the family.#tql_stadium #chelsea_walsh #matthew_c_metzger #total_quality_logistics #jacob_walsh
Ohio Firm Ordered to Pay $22.5 Million After Denying Work-from-Home Request Led to Baby’s Death A Columbus-based logistics company, Total Quality Logistics (TQL), has been ordered to pay $22.5 million in damages to Chelsea Walsh, a mother whose newborn daughter died shortly after she was denied a work-from-home arrangement during a high-risk pregnancy. The verdict, delivered in a wrongful death case, came after a jury found that TQL’s refusal to accommodate Walsh’s request contributed to the tragic outcome. Walsh, who was four to five months pregnant at the time, initially asked TQL to allow her to work remotely in February 2021. The request came after she underwent a medical procedure to prevent preterm labor. According to her lawsuit, the company rejected her request, forcing her into an “impossible choice” between returning to the office and risking her child’s health or taking unpaid leave and losing her income and health insurance. Despite her doctor’s advice to avoid stress, Walsh returned to the workplace on February 22, 2021. On the evening of February 24, 2021, Walsh gave birth to her daughter, Magnolia, while still at work. The same day, her manager informed her that TQL had “reconsidered” its decision and allowed her to work from home. However, Magnolia died in Walsh’s arms approximately 90 minutes after birth. The lawsuit states that the infant had a heartbeat, was breathing, and showed fetal movement before passing away. The jury ruled in Walsh’s favor, concluding that TQL’s denial of her reasonable accommodation for a high-risk pregnancy directly led to the child’s death. “The evidence showed that Chelsea Walsh was following her doctors’ instructions for a high-risk pregnancy and simply asked to work from home,” said her lawyer, Matthew C. Metzger.#total_quality_logistics #chelsea_walsh #magnolia #matthew_c_metzger #julia_daugherty
