Some folks may have heard of the lady named Debbie Shank, who was injured in an accident a few years ago that left her with brain damage. She is now confined to a wheel chair and lives in a nursing home.
She was an employee of Wal-Mart. She had their health insurance.
Ms. Shank and her husband sued the trucking company responsible for the accident, and they won about a million dollars. After legal fees, she ended up with about $417,000. It was placed in a trust for her long-term care.
Wal-Mart paid about $470,000 for her healthcare after the accident. Since she won the suit against the trucking company, Wal-Mart sued Ms. Shank for the $470,000. Wal-Mart won. Wal-Mart also won the appeal. The U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear the case. So, according to the courts, Wal-Mart is legally justified to recoup their money.
The court of public opinion may see it differently.
About a week after the Shank family lost their appeal, they were notified that their 18- year-old son was killed in Iraq.
A happy ending to this story would have been for Wal-Mart to say, “As a loyal employee, and one who has suffered so much, we will forgive this debt.”
Wal-Mart made $90 billion in net sales in 2007, while Debbie Shank lost almost everything. To take $470,000 from this lady after all she has gone through is just downright pathetic and greedy.
In closing I say, “Come on Wal-Mart executives, you’ve created a public relations nightmare for your corporation. Let’s change your bloodsucking attitude and return the money to Debbie Shank. You’ll sleep better, and be able to look at yourself in the mirror again.”
