health
US company to pay $22.5m over newborn’s death after denying woman remote work
Chelsea Walsh prematurely gave birth after firm rejected work from home request in 2021 amid high-risk pregnancy
TL;DR
- A state court jury awarded $22.5 million in damages to Chelsea Walsh.
- Walsh was denied permission to work from home during a high-risk pregnancy.
- Her medical providers instructed her to work from home and observe partial bed rest.
- TQL subsequently denied her remote work request and placed her on unpaid leave.
- Walsh gave birth prematurely to her daughter, Magnolia, at 20 weeks and six days.
- Magnolia died within hours of birth, more than 18 weeks before full term.
- The jury determined TQL's denial of the request led to the death of Walsh's daughter.
- TQL has expressed condolences but disagrees with the verdict and facts presented.