Ohio jury awards $22.5M in pregnancy accommodation/wrongful death case

A recent Ohio jury verdict underscores the legal and operational risks employers face when responding to accommodation requests involving pregnancy-related medical conditions. The jury awarded approximately $22.5 million in a wrongful death action arising from an employer’s denial of a work-from-home request.

Facts

According to the complaint, the employee was a claims associate for a logistics company and was hired in January 2021 while pregnant. In February 2021, she experienced complications related to an “incompetent cervix” and underwent an emergency medical procedure intended to prevent premature labor. Her physician directed her to remain on modified bed rest and recommended that she work from home.

The employee requested a remote work arrangement so she could comply with medical restrictions while maintaining income and anticipated eligibility for employer-sponsored health insurance. Although her request was reportedly supported by medical documentation, and remote work had been permitted in certain circumstances, the employer didn’t approve the accommodation.

Instead, the employer provided leave of absence paperwork, which the employee’s physician completed. Based on that paperwork, the employer placed the employee on unpaid leave and informed her that she wasn’t permitted to work. The employee disputed the leave of absence status and reiterated that she sought to continue working remotely.