Walmart sues brain-damaged mother of US soldier killed in Iraq for $470,000

[panthercz]

This is a good example of how two wrongs don't make a right.

1st wrong: As part of the "health benefits" contract (NOT to be confused with health insurance), it states if the woman wins a settlement related to health care Walmart is entitled to it. Well, she won a settlement with the trucking company that hit her. So now Walmart wants the money she said she would give them by signing the health benefit contract.

2nd wrong: Yes technically Walmart is fully entitled to the money she won in the settlement, because she agreed to it. However given the circumstances of the situation with her, her son and her husband, Walmart should just look the other way and move on.

[wolfy-hound]

It's in the health plan, and if they were given money for the medical expenses, then sued and got money to pay the medical expenses, they got double-paid. The contract states this, and they should have understood it.
It's not "mean" or "unfair" it's business.
I think the fact that they continually refer to her slain son to gain sympathy is rather low. It has nothing to do with what's happening at all, but they use it to gain sympathy.
While I'd like to hear that she got good things to happen for her, the fact is the contracted health plan states this in it. It's not something Walmart made up after the fact in order to "steal" her money.
Just my opinion, but geez. It's a contracted medical plan. Their lawyer screwed up in this.

[cassandra]

Just my opinion, but geez. It's a contracted medical plan. Their lawyer screwed up in this.

We don't know, but I would guess that if their attorney knew about this stipulation in the health insurance contract, he would have gotten the defendant to increase the payout amount to cover the repayment to Walmart...

Hindsight is a fabulous and useless thing in this case.

[Ginevive]

Stupid old WalMart. They make it all great-sounding like.. "we are nono-union, but we provide our workers with a living wage and GREAT health insurance!!" when it is all a crock of bull. I have decided not to shop there anymore. Their material goods like bedding, furniture, etc. is JUNK and lasts for about 5 minutes.. and their food prices are now about equal or higher, to the local store here that has a union and a great health care plan for its employees (I used to work there.. it was awesome health-wise.)
Stupid megalomaniacs.

[LadyOhh]

UPDATE:

http://blogs.moneycentral.msn.com/to...-disaster.aspx

"After fighting all the way to the Supreme Court, retailing behemoth Wal-Mart announced yesterday it would drop its claim to the settlement a former employee received after a horrific traffic accident. The change of heart came just as the funds, all $270,000 that remained, were being prepped for transfer to the company’s coffers. Unfortunately, it comes way too late to save any shred of goodwill in the minds of consumers.

The case involves 52-year-old Deborah Shank, who worked as a night-shift shelf stocker until a run-in with a tractor-trailer left her permanently brain-damaged and wheelchair bound. Although the story has been in and out of the news since December, things picked up when Wal-Mart won its suit against the family a few weeks ago.

This spurred MSNBC’s Keith Olbermann to award the company his “Worst Person in the World” award for four straight nights—starting with this tirade last Thursday. The blogosphere absolutely erupted over the story’s injustice. No wonder, given that this stokes all those passionate anti-corporatism and anti-globalization feelings bloggers often harbor.

Because of its already tattered image, this was an especially bad move for Wal-Mart. Even more infuriating is how, as public pressure grew to a fever pitch, Wal-Mart’s PR hacks continued to resist calls for change. The company needs to be smarter than this. Otherwise, all efforts to change the public’s perception of it will fail; as will efforts to attract the urban and suburban shoppers that remain the company’s last untapped opportunity here in the United States.

Sure, hyping up edgy new blogs, rolling out private-label organic coffees, making its stores more energy efficient, and going upscale with sushi and $500 wine are steps in the right direction. But if Wal-Mart wants to be seen as cool, à la Apple, Google, or Starbucks, it really needs to stop acting so maliciously. Yesterday’s statement, in which the company offers a feeble apology for “any additional stress” it placed on the Shanks, won’t help matters much. Nor will its lukewarm efforts to expand healthcare coverage amongst employees.

Embarrassingly, this bad publicity comes as the company unveils its big “Earth Month” campaign that will showcase its sustainability efforts. A big advertising push will play up Wal-Mart’s role in making eco-friendly products more affordable and accessible.

In the meantime, shares continue to trend higher as investors enjoy the company’s position as the retailer of last resort for embattled consumers. Given that we've yet to reach the full depths of this recession, Wal-Mart's stock price has room to run.

On average, analysts are looking for earnings per share to ring in at $3.40 this year. Assuming the market awards the company a premium closer to Costco, which is also benefiting from a weak consumer but gets the whole corporate social responsibility thing, I’m looking for shares to trade at 19 or 20 times this estimate—moving prices into the upper $60s over the next few months.

Eventually, as consumers regain their footing, come out of survival mode, and become more selective, the folks down in Bentonville will need to come to terms with their corporate attitude problem. Otherwise, shoppers will prefer the guilt-free experience they get at Costco and Target."

[recycling goddess]

“It is difficult, but not impossible, to conduct strictly honest business”

Mahatma Gandhi

Doesn't it say it all? I do notice no one bothered to comment on the fact that the lawyers took 1/2 the money and didn't offer any of it to assist their client. I'm happy to see Wal-Mart folded under the 'bad publicity' hammer.

[dracothedragon]

it makes me proud to say yet again, that i still don't shop at walmart, and never plan on doing so. there are plenty of other stores to get your goods at, where your money doesn't have to go to such greedy owners who care about nothing but them selfs.

[recycling goddess]

i don't shop at any large chain stores. i prefer to support the small, privately owned stores.

[420 boa]

they should give her a fake check she may not know the difference.

[recycling goddess]

they should give her a fake check she may not know the difference.

i'm speechless.