Wal Mart's Shameful Lawsuit

Today's St. Louis Post Dispatch has a front page story regarding an outrageous action by retail giant Wal Mart. 

In September 2000, Debbie Shank, a shelf stocker at Wal Mart suffered massive injuries in a collision with a tractor trailer rig.

She subsequently sued the trucking company and driver, and received a substantial settlement.  According to the story, brain damage forces her to use a wheelchair and limits her upper body movement to one arm and two fingers.  The settlement proceeds go to cover the costs of her ongoing care. 

Because her health care costs were paid for by Wal Mart's self financed health care plan, Wal Mart is now suing her to recover the medical expenses from the proceeds of her lawsuit settlement.

If Wal Mart is successful, the family will be left without adequate means to provide for her care.

This is WRONG, and Wal Mart needs to know it.  They shouldn't get by with allowing their flack to say that they filed the suit merely to preserve their legal options.  That's a frivilous use of our court system.  The reality is, they are hedging their bets to gauge public reaction. 

It should be swift and severe.  If you would like to sign an open letter to Wal Mart CEO Lee Scott, click here.