Korean Job Discussion Forums

[No_hite_pls]

JACKSON, Missouri (CNN) -- Debbie Shank breaks down in tears every time she's told that her 18-year-old son, Jeremy, was killed in Iraq.


Debbie Shank, 52, has severe brain damage after a traffic accident in May 2000.

Even though the 52-year-old mother of three attended her son's funeral -- she continues to ask how he's doing. When her family reminds her that he's dead -- she weeps as if hearing the news for the first time.

Shank suffered severe brain damage after a traffic accident nearly eight years ago that robbed her of much of her short-term memory and left her in a wheelchair and living in a nursing home.

It was the beginning of a series of battles -- both personal and legal -- that loomed for Shank and her family. One of their biggest was with Wal-Mart's health plan.

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

Two years after the accident, Shank and her husband, Jim, were awarded about $1 million in a lawsuit against the trucking company involved in the crash. After legal fees were paid, $417,000 was placed in a trust to pay for Debbie Shank's long-term care.

Wal-Mart had paid out about $470,000 for Shank's medical expenses, but in 2005, Wal-Mart's health plan sued the Shanks for the same amount.

The Shanks didn't notice in the fine print of Wal-Mart's health plan policy that the company has the right to recoup medical expenses if an employee collects damages in a lawsuit.

The family's attorney, Maurice Graham, said he informed Wal-Mart about the settlement and believed the Shanks would be allowed to keep the money. Watch this couple's story �

"We assumed after three years, they [Wal-Mart] had made a decision to let Debbie Shank use this money for what it was intended to," Graham said.

The Shanks lost their suit to Wal-Mart. Last summer, the couple appealed the ruling -- but also lost it. One week later, their son was killed in Iraq.

"They are quite within their rights. But I just wonder if they need it that bad," Jim Shank said.

In 2007, the retail giant reported net sales in the third quarter of $90 billion.

Legal or not, CNN asked Wal-Mart why the company pursued the money.

Wal-Mart spokesman John Simley, who called Debbie Shank's case "unbelievably sad," replied in a statement: "Wal-Mart's plan is bound by very specific rules. ... We wish it could be more flexible in Mrs. Shank's case since her circumstances are clearly extraordinary, but this is done out of fairness to all associates who contribute to, and benefit from, the plan."

Jim Shank said he believes Wal-Mart should make an exception.

"My idea of a win-win is -- you keep the paperwork that says you won and let us keep the money so I can take care of my wife," he said.

The family's situation is so dire that last year Jim Shank divorced Debbie, so she could receive more money from Medicaid.

Jim Shank, 54, is recovering from prostate cancer, works two jobs and struggles to pay the bills. He's afraid he won't be able to send their youngest son to college and pay for his and Debbie's care.

"Who needs the money more? A disabled lady in a wheelchair with no future, whatsoever, or does Wal-Mart need $90 billion, plus $200,000?" he asked.

The family's attorney agrees.

"The recovery that Debbie Shank made was recovery for future lost earnings, for her pain and suffering," Graham said.

"She'll never be able to work again. Never have a relationship with her husband or children again. The damage she recovered was for much more than just medical expenses."

Graham said he believes Wal-Mart should be entitled to only about $100,000. Right now, about $277,000 remains in the trust -- far short of the $470,000 Wal-Mart wants back.

Refusing to give up the fight, the Shanks appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court. But just last week, the high court said it would not hear the case.

Graham said the Shanks have exhausted all their resources and there's nothing more they can do but go on with their lives.


Jim Shank said he's disappointed with the Supreme Court's decision not to hear the case -- not for the sake of his family -- but for those who might face similar circumstances.

For now, he said the family will figure out a way to get by and "do the best we can for Debbie."

"Luckily, she's oblivious to everything," he said. "We don't tell her
what's going on because it will just upset her."

[TexasPete]

So because her family sued for future losses and suffering, they will end up OWING hundreds of thousands of dollars? Unfcukingbelievable! Good on the Koreans for being one of the few countries that Walmart could not succeed in.

[fusionbarnone]

Walmart is all about profit.

My sister-in-law had her car stolen in their carpark. The store refused to allow police to view their security tape as it was against company policy(read: security is all about protecting Walmart property).

[anyway]

Let's not forget that Wal-Mart (in numerous states) has been fined millions of dollars by the government for knowingly employing illegal immigrants.

[tzechuk]

[Cheonmunka]

The indemnity, the fine print that Wal-Mart is enforcing in this case (as well as many others) is immoral. Yet, they persist. By doing so they/it will ruin this family's life.

Wal-Mart is a monster eating on peoples' lives. It shelters within a system of laws that allow it to have no compassion nor humanity or sympathy.
It is fed by the people, yet, it turns now and then to feed on them.

[No_hite_pls]

You know I read this article, and I am not particularly angry at Wal-Mart. They are within their legal rights. This story is just to sad and real to be ignored. This story just shows how life is not always fair and easy no matter what some people say.

PS. This story is bad bad PR for Wal-mart.

[billybrobby]

If we need a villian, what about the bonehead lawyers who 1. took 583,000 in legal expense and 2. didn't advise their client that the walmart payout would be lost. Oops, sorry, you end up with nothing, so sad! I'm gonna wipe my tears with this wad of 100 dollar bills.

[No_hite_pls]

[billybrobby]