Wal-Mart Drops Fight Against Woman - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Augustus McCrae · 04-02-2008, 08:31 AM

Here's an update to the one story we had on here last week.

http://news.aol.com/story/_a/wal-mar...02064509990001

Wal-Mart Drops Fight Against Woman
CNN
Posted: 2008-04-02 07:17:52
Filed Under: Business News, Nation News
(April 2) - A former Wal-Mart employee who suffered severe brain damage in a traffic accident won't have to pay back the company for the cost of her medical care, Wal-Mart told the family Tuesday.

"Occasionally, others help us step back and look at a situation in a different way. This is one of those times," Wal-Mart Executive Vice President Pat Curran said in a letter. "We have all been moved by Ms. Shank's extraordinary situation."

Eight years ago, Debbie Shank was stocking shelves for the retail giant and signed up for Wal-Mart's health and benefits plan.

After a tractor-trailer slammed into her minivan, the 52-year-old mother of three lost much of her short-term memory and was confined to a wheelchair. She now lives in a nursing home.

She also lost her 18-year-old son, Jeremy, who was killed shortly after arriving in Iraq. When Debbie Shank asks family members how her son is doing and they remind her that he's dead, she weeps as if hearing the news for the first time.

Wal-Mart's health care plan lets the retail giant recoup the cost of its expenses if an employee collects damages in a lawsuit. And Wal-Mart set out to do just that after Shank and her husband, Jim, won $1 million after suing the trucking company involved in the wreck. After legal fees, the couple received $417,000.

Wal-Mart sued the Shanks to recoup $470,000 it paid for her medical care. However, a court ruled that the company could only recoup about $275,000 -- the amount that was left in a trust fund for her care.

The Shanks appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, but the court declined in March to hear the case. CNN told the couple's story last week, prompting thousands of angry blog responses and at least two online petitions to boycott the company.

On Tuesday, Wal-Mart said in a letter to Jim Shank that it is modifying its health care plan to allow "more discretion" in individual cases.

"We wanted you to know that Wal-Mart will not seek any reimbursement for the money already spent on Ms. Shank's care, and we will work with you to ensure the remaining amounts in the trust can be used for her ongoing care," Curran said.

"We are sorry for any additional stress this uncertainty has placed on you and your family."

Wal-Mart's reversal came as shock to Shank.

"I thought it was an April Fool's joke," he told CNN.

"I (would) just like to let them know that they did the right thing. I just wish it hadn't taken so long," Shank said. "But I thank them and I hope they come through with all that they said they're going to do."

junecleaver · 04-02-2008, 01:54 PM

If they aren't having to pay a cent, i'm glad. Some people just have it way harder than others, and need a break. Wal-Mart was foolish to ask for money, as with a 90 billion dollar corporation, that money is like a penny to them.

Augustus McCrae · 04-02-2008, 04:43 PM

They did the right thing. Makes you wonder if it didn't make the news would they have done it then?

OH Nuts! · 04-02-2008, 09:36 PM

Thanks for the update Augustus. And no, without all this negative publicity Walmart wouldn't have done squat. After all this, it's just Target for me.

Lhomme couture · 04-03-2008, 12:54 AM

Great PR move as well as doing the ethical thing.

Stormtracker TF · 04-03-2008, 01:17 AM

I'm glad they did what was right, but the fact they even thought about going through with it is absolutely disgusting and shows their true character.

junecleaver · 04-03-2008, 01:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Muppettracker TF

I'm glad they did what was right, but the fact they even thought about going through with it is absolutely disgusting and shows their true character.

exactly. This doesn't change my view of wal-mart, i still ain't shopping there anymore.

Lhomme couture · 04-03-2008, 02:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Muppettracker TF

I'm glad they did what was right, but the fact they even thought about going through with it is absolutely disgusting and shows their true character.

I agree, had Wal-mart never sued this woman, no other employees they were trying to be "fair" to would have known about this. I think most employees at Wal-mart would agree with this lawsuit being inhumane regardless.

KissMyGrits · 04-03-2008, 08:12 AM

Thank goodness I turned down the position I was offered with Wal-Mart.

I can't believe a company would do something that low and immoral. It all comes down to corporate greed!

InspectorExstead · 04-03-2008, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by junecleaver

exactly. This doesn't change my view of wal-mart, i still ain't shopping there anymore.

ditto. i'm glad they dropped the lawsuit, but i'm not changing my views on wal-mart anytime soon.

Chelsea · 04-03-2008, 09:04 PM

I once worked for Wal-Mart. I started work April 14, 2006. I quit 4 days later.

I shop at Target now.

friendsfan77 · 04-04-2008, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seth

I once worked for Wal-Mart. I started work April 14, 2006. I quit 4 days later.

I shop at Target now.

Target is so much more peaceful. Seriously. Even if it's busy it's not a complete zoo like Wal-Mart is.

04-02-2008, 08:31 AM	#1
Augustus McCrae Member Forum Regular Join Date: Feb 04, 2008 Posts: 562	Wal-Mart Drops Fight Against Woman Here's an update to the one story we had on here last week. http://news.aol.com/story/_a/wal-mar...02064509990001 Wal-Mart Drops Fight Against Woman CNN Posted: 2008-04-02 07:17:52 Filed Under: Business News, Nation News (April 2) - A former Wal-Mart employee who suffered severe brain damage in a traffic accident won't have to pay back the company for the cost of her medical care, Wal-Mart told the family Tuesday. "Occasionally, others help us step back and look at a situation in a different way. This is one of those times," Wal-Mart Executive Vice President Pat Curran said in a letter. "We have all been moved by Ms. Shank's extraordinary situation." Eight years ago, Debbie Shank was stocking shelves for the retail giant and signed up for Wal-Mart's health and benefits plan. After a tractor-trailer slammed into her minivan, the 52-year-old mother of three lost much of her short-term memory and was confined to a wheelchair. She now lives in a nursing home. She also lost her 18-year-old son, Jeremy, who was killed shortly after arriving in Iraq. When Debbie Shank asks family members how her son is doing and they remind her that he's dead, she weeps as if hearing the news for the first time. Wal-Mart's health care plan lets the retail giant recoup the cost of its expenses if an employee collects damages in a lawsuit. And Wal-Mart set out to do just that after Shank and her husband, Jim, won $1 million after suing the trucking company involved in the wreck. After legal fees, the couple received $417,000. Wal-Mart sued the Shanks to recoup $470,000 it paid for her medical care. However, a court ruled that the company could only recoup about $275,000 -- the amount that was left in a trust fund for her care. The Shanks appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, but the court declined in March to hear the case. CNN told the couple's story last week, prompting thousands of angry blog responses and at least two online petitions to boycott the company. On Tuesday, Wal-Mart said in a letter to Jim Shank that it is modifying its health care plan to allow "more discretion" in individual cases. "We wanted you to know that Wal-Mart will not seek any reimbursement for the money already spent on Ms. Shank's care, and we will work with you to ensure the remaining amounts in the trust can be used for her ongoing care," Curran said. "We are sorry for any additional stress this uncertainty has placed on you and your family." Wal-Mart's reversal came as shock to Shank. "I thought it was an April Fool's joke," he told CNN. "I (would) just like to let them know that they did the right thing. I just wish it hadn't taken so long," Shank said. "But I thank them and I hope they come through with all that they said they're going to do."

04-03-2008, 01:17 AM	#6
Stormtracker TF Happy Easter! Moderator Forum Idol Join Date: Jul 19, 2002 Location: Detroit, Michigan Posts: 102,598	I'm glad they did what was right, but the fact they even thought about going through with it is absolutely disgusting and shows their true character.
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04-03-2008, 08:12 AM	#9
KissMyGrits HEGM! Senior Member Join Date: Jul 01, 2004 Location: Las Vegas Baby! Posts: 2,135	Thank goodness I turned down the position I was offered with Wal-Mart. I can't believe a company would do something that low and immoral. It all comes down to corporate greed!
	__________________ check out my blog.... some ficcies, some about me and a whole lotta fun!! http://catniprules.livejournal.com/

04-03-2008, 09:04 PM	#11
Chelsea Semi-retired Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 07, 2001 Location: Washington Posts: 5,727	I once worked for Wal-Mart. I started work April 14, 2006. I quit 4 days later. I shop at Target now.
	__________________ Chelsea Former Administrator, 2005-2012 Former Member, DVD Review Team, 2004-2010.

04-02-2008, 01:54 PM	#2
junecleaver Member Senior Member Join Date: Jun 28, 2003 Location: i'm a southerner! :D Posts: 1,298	If they aren't having to pay a cent, i'm glad. Some people just have it way harder than others, and need a break. Wal-Mart was foolish to ask for money, as with a 90 billion dollar corporation, that money is like a penny to them.

04-02-2008, 04:43 PM	#3
Augustus McCrae Member Forum Regular Join Date: Feb 04, 2008 Posts: 562	They did the right thing. Makes you wonder if it didn't make the news would they have done it then?

04-02-2008, 09:36 PM	#4
OH Nuts! Member Forum King Join Date: Feb 15, 2005 Posts: 133,383	Thanks for the update Augustus. And no, without all this negative publicity Walmart wouldn't have done squat. After all this, it's just Target for me.

04-03-2008, 12:54 AM	#5
Lhomme couture Banned Banned!! Frequent Poster Join Date: Jan 01, 2008 Posts: 167	Great PR move as well as doing the ethical thing.