A Hamilton County jury has ordered Cincinnati-based logistics company Total Quality Logistics (TQL) to pay $22.5 million after jurors concluded the company’s refusal to allow a pregnant employee to work from home contributed to the death of her premature newborn.
In early 2021, TQL employee Chelsea Walsh‘s pregnancy became high-risk after emergency surgery. Her doctors instructed her to remain on modified bed rest, limit activity, and work remotely during the pregnancy, according to court records and trial testimony, according to local news outlet WCPO.
The specific medical condition was an “incompetent cervix,” meaning any physical exertion or upright activity — like commuting and sitting at an office desk — directly threatened the outcome of the pregnancy.
Walsh’s remote work request
Walsh requested permission to work remotely, but the company denied the request and instead required her to return to the office or take unpaid leave, which could have affected her income and health insurance coverage.
Her attorneys argued that the company mishandled the accommodation process, including sending leave paperwork. She wanted to continue working remotely, but the company moved her toward unpaid or medical leave instead of accommodating remote work.
After TQL denied the request, court records show Walsh worked in the office for several days despite her doctor’s instructions. On Feb. 24, 2021, the company reversed its decision and approved remote work, but only after a human resources official at Walsh’s husband’s workplace contacted the company.
One of the most damning pieces of evidence reported during the trial was a message from a TQL executive to the third-party contact who intervened, stating, “Thank you. You just saved us a lawsuit.”
That same day, Walsh suffered complications and was hospitalized. She gave birth to her daughter, Magnolia, at just under 21 weeks. The baby lived for about 90 minutes before dying.
The wrongful death lawsuit was filed on behalf of Magnolia’s estate. Jurors ultimately found TQL 90% responsible for the child’s death and awarded $25 million in damages, resulting in a $22.5 million judgment against the company. While the $22.5 million is a massive compensatory award, the judge denied a request for punitive damages.
In a statement issued after the verdict, TQL expressed sympathy for the family but said it disagreed with the jury’s decision and is considering legal options. The company maintains that it supports employee health and well-being, but disputes how the facts were presented during the trial.
Work-from-home liability and pregnancy accommodations
The case highlights growing legal risks for employers related to workplace accommodations, particularly for pregnant employees and workers with medical restrictions.
Under federal law, including the Pregnancy Discrimination Act and newer workplace accommodation laws, employers may be required to provide reasonable accommodations such as modified schedules, remote work, or light duty when medically necessary and feasible.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, remote work became more common, and courts have increasingly considered whether working from home is a reasonable accommodation when the job can be performed remotely — especially in office-based roles like logistics, customer service, and administrative work.
Published: Mar 26, 2026 02:47 pm