Do you shop at Wal-Mart? I mean who doesn’t want cheap electronics, cloths, food, furniture, and… everything else in-between? But before you find yourself stepping foot in their store(s), consider this:
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 and later sued for the same amount. However, the court ruled it can only recoup what is left in the family’s trust.
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.
Is this morally correct? Does this sit right in your stomach? Feel free to comment below with your opinion while starting awareness about such an incident. Share this with as many of your friends, family, co-workers as possible. Get the word out.
Source: http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/03/25/walmart.insurance.battle/
Did you know? The Statue of Liberty’s tablet is two feet thick.
WalMart’s obligations are not to it’s employees, customers, the nation or the public at large, its obligations are only to the shareholders.
Corporate accountability and corporate responsibility – both oxymorons.