Wal-Mart: Not Just Lead in the Toys.
Thursday, March 27th, 2008Debbie Shank was once a stock person at Wal-Mart. That was almost 8 years ago. That was before her accident. In May 2000 she was in a severe traffic accident that left he in a wheelchair and robbed her of her short term memory.
Two years later she and her husband won a suit against the trucking company that was at fault for the accident. After legal fees they walked away with $417,000 that was put in a trust for Debbie Shank’s care.
Because of some small print on her health plan policy Wal-Mart sued her for $470,000.
Let that sink in a second.
Wal-Mart, who made $90 billion last year, sued her, a disabled former employee, for more then she is worth.
How the fuck is this possible?
Well, the small print I mentioned earlier states that Wal-Mart has the right to recoup medical expenses if an employee collects damages in a lawsuit.
Fuck.
Wal-Mart sued and won. The Shanks lost their appeal. A week later they lost their son in Iraq. Thing is, she has no short term memory and even though she attended the funeral for her son she doesn’t remember that he is dead. Every time she hears about her son dying in Iraq it is the first time.
Her husband, who is 54 and recovering from prostate cancer, works two jobs in order to take care of the family. He had to divorce his wife in order to receive Medicaid. Sometimes I wonder how we are considered a civilized country.
Wal-Mart. Save money. Live better.
