A US jury ordered the logistics company to pay $22 million (almost ₹207 million) as compensation in the event of the death of a newborn. Local 12 WKRC-TV reported on the case.
The case dates back to February 2021, when a pregnant Total Quality Logistics (TQL) employee was declared high-risk by her doctors. She was ordered to rest at home and work remotely. However, TQL initially rejected her request to work from home.
The approval eventually went through after a third party stepped in. But by the time she got approval, it was too late.
The employee suffered complications, was hospitalized and gave birth to baby Magnolia at just 20 weeks and six days. The baby died a few hours after birth.
A Hamilton County jury found that TQL’s refusal to accommodate the employee’s medical needs directly led to the child’s death. It ordered the logistics company to pay $22 million.
TQL disagreed with the verdict and said it was reviewing its legal options. The company says it remains committed to protecting the health and well-being of its employees.
“We express our condolences to the Walsh family. We disagree with the verdict and the way the facts were characterized at trial. We are evaluating legal options and remain committed to supporting the health and well-being of our employees,” the publication quoted a TQL spokesperson as saying.
Reaction on social networks
Social network users reacted to the verdict. Many of them criticized the company for its strict WFH-free policy.
“This is what TQL really is, dump and burn young college grads and kids straight out of HS with a college culture and the promise of getting rich. Their turnover is absolutely wild and for the few people who work there and actually make money, their commissions don’t stack up compared to other brokers,” wrote one.
“What was TQL thinking? I bet, or at least hope, there’s a manager and HR person with TQL on their resume looking for work,” another user commented.
One user wrote: “How many others at that TWL location were working from home at the time? Not a good move on TDL mgmt’s part. Your company image was ALREADY bad. It makes you look MUCH WORSE.”
“FC Cincinnati needs to drop this shameful name from their stadium,” another user wrote, referring to TQL Stadium, a soccer stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio. It is home to Major League Soccer team FC Cincinnati.
