A US company has been ordered to pay $22.5 million in damages after a court found that denying a pregnant employee’s request to work from home contributed to the premature birth and death of her newborn.
The case involves Chelsea Walsh, whose pregnancy was categorised as high-risk. Doctors had clearly advised her to work remotely, remain on partial bed rest, and avoid physical strain to prevent complications.
Denial of remote work despite medical advice
According to court findings, Walsh repeatedly requested permission to work from home in line with medical guidance. However, her employer, Total Quality Logistics (TQL), refused the request and required her to continue working from the office.
She was later placed on unpaid leave, even as her condition required careful monitoring and reduced activity.
Delay that proved fatal
The company eventually approved her work-from-home request on February 24, 2021. However, on the very same day, Walsh suffered severe complications and was rushed to hospital.
She delivered her baby prematurely at just over 20 weeks. The newborn, Magnolia, survived only a few hours.
The court was told that the delay in granting remote work played a critical role in the chain of events leading to the child’s death.
Jury holds company responsible
After a seven-day trial, the jury ruled in Walsh’s favour, awarding $22.5 million in damages. Her legal team argued that timely approval of remote work could have prevented the tragic outcome.
The company has expressed disagreement with the verdict but conveyed condolences and stated it is evaluating legal options.
A wake-up call on workplace responsibility
The case has sparked wider debate on employer accountability, especially in matters involving health and pregnancy. It highlights how failure to accommodate medical needs can have devastating consequences.
The ruling serves as a strong reminder that workplace decisions must prioritise employee well-being, particularly in high-risk situations where lives may be at stake.