Wal-Mart Pays Victim’s Medical Bills; 3 Years Later Demands Its Money Back
There are certain stories - importing potentially dangerous products, environmental concerns, failing to pay workers for overtime/breaks, state tax avoidance - that can make you loathe Wal-Mart, yet still explain away the company’s actions as those of an entity whose only focus is to expand on its own terms and lower its cost of doing business any way possible.
Then, there are stories that simply make you ask why, stories that make you wonder if Wal-Mart really cares about anyone at all, especially its workers. This, make no mistake, is one of those stories.
Pictured to the right is the Shank family - one shot is from before, and one after a truck plowed into the driver’s side of Deborah’s Shank’s minivan, resulting in neorological damage that left Mrs. Shank unable to feed or dress herself, and unable to converse with her family on anything more than a simple level.
Deborah Shank had finally qualified for Wal-Mart health benefits just three months before the accident, and following the collision, the health plan dutifully paid out Mrs. Shank’s medical expenses. And in 2002, Mrs. Shank won a settlement from the trucking company responsible for the accident - it didn’t cover all of her medical expenses, but it was a start. And now, Wal-Mart wants its share. Or more to the point, Wal-Mart wants all of the settlement money, Mrs. Shank be damned. Three years after winning her award, Mrs. Shank was sued by an uncompromising Wal-Mart in an all-or-nothing attempt to recoup every cent of medical expenses the company paid for her health care. Yes, thats right - after collecting premiums, Wal-Mart decided it wanted more:
“It’s especially in the catastrophic cases that people are almost never fully compensated,” says Roger Baron, a professor of law at the University of South Dakota and a specialist in health-plan law. “And then their health plan, that’s been collecting premiums from them all this time, wants to take it away?”
It seems that Wal-Mart, seeking praise for so many of its innovations, has also been innovative in the health care field in a way that other health plans are just now beginning to adopt.
Health plans are increasingly adopting language such as Wal-Mart’s, which dictates that it is to be paid first out of any settlement, regardless of what remains for the injured person. Moreover, the victim is responsible for all legal costs in pursuing the suit.
The piece from The Wall Street Journal is rather long, but I recommend reading every word. Undoubtedly, people will bring up the “every company does it” defense, as if magically that makes everything ok. Try selling that to the Shank family, whose money for medical expenses has been stripped away by a multi-billion dollar...repeat, BILLION dollar...company which really, lets face it, doesn’t need it. A simple case-by-case basis investigation would show that there is no scam to uncover with the Shank family. They are simply a family trying to deal with a catastrophic, life-altering event. And now trying to do so with an empty wallet.
Congratulations Wal-Mart. You’ve outdone yourself this time.
Accident victims face grab for legal winnings [The Wall Street Journal]
JACKSON, Mo.—A collision with a semi-trailer truck seven years ago left 52-year-old Deborah Shank permanently brain-damaged and in a wheelchair. Her husband, Jim, and three sons found a small source of solace: a $700,000 accident settlement from the trucking company involved. After legal fees and other expenses, the remaining $417,000 was put in a special trust. It was to be used for Mrs. Shank’s care.
Instead, all of it is now slated to go to Mrs. Shank’s former employer, Wal-Mart Stores Inc.
Two years ago, the retail giant’s health plan sued the Shanks for the $470,000 it had spent on her medical care. A federal judge ruled last year in Wal-Mart’s favor, backed by an appeals-court decision in August. Now, her family has to rely on Medicaid and Mrs. Shank’s social-security payments to keep up her round-the-clock care.
“I don’t understand why they need to do this,” says Mr. Shank on a recent visit to the nursing home, between shifts as a maintenance worker and running a tanning salon. “This girl needs the money more than they do.” Mrs. Shank, who needs help with eating and other basic tasks, spends more time alone since Mr. Shank had to let her private caregiver go. At some point, he says, she may have to be moved from a private to a semi-private room in the nursing home where she lives.
The reason is a clause in Wal-Mart’s health plan that Mrs. Shank didn’t notice when she started stocking shelves at a nearby store eight years ago. Like most company health plans, Wal-Mart’s reserves the right to recoup the medical expenses it paid for someone’s treatment if the person also collects damages in an injury suit.
Until recently, many employers didn’t vigilantly enforce the provision, and some states and federal courts didn’t think the claim held water. But as the cost of covering workers continues to escalate, employers and health plans are getting more aggressive about going after the money. A Supreme Court ruling last year also has given them a clearer legal map to suing employees and winning.
In insurance circles, the recovery practice is called “subrogation.” Employers and insurers say it’s necessary to ensure that medical expenses aren’t paid twice. By recovering those costs from someone who’s been compensated elsewhere, they argue, they’re saving money for everyone on the plan.
Sharon Weber, a spokeswoman for Wal-Mart, declined to discuss the details of the Shanks’ case, but said the company was obliged to act in the interest of the health benefits of its employees as a whole. “While the case involves a tragic situation, our responsibility is to follow the provisions of the [company health] plan which governs the health benefits of our associates,” she said.
“Employers are trying to make sure these plans run as efficiently as possible,” says Jay Kirschbaum, a senior vice president at global insurance broker Willis Group Holdings. “They also have a fiduciary duty to the plan and the entire group of employees that are covered by it.”
The Recovery Practice
Already, the recovery practice is one of the variables that plaintiffs lawyers are considering as they decide whether it’s in their clients’ interests to participate in the $5 billion offered by Merck & Co. to settle lawsuits over its painkiller Vioxx. Health plans recovered sizable amounts for medical expenses from other big product-liability settlements, such as for the “fen-phen” diet-drug combination and Sulzer Orthopedics’ hip implants. Many insurers and the employer plans they administer are expected to pursue a piece of the Vioxx settlement.
In cases like the Shanks’, where injuries and medical costs are catastrophic, accident victims sometimes can be left with little or none of the money they fought for in court. Health plans are increasingly adopting language such as Wal-Mart’s, which dictates that it is to be paid first out of any settlement, regardless of what remains for the injured person. Moreover, the victim is responsible for all legal costs in pursuing the suit.
“It’s especially in the catastrophic cases that people are almost never fully compensated,” says Roger Baron, a professor of law at the University of South Dakota and a specialist in health-plan law. “And then their health plan, that’s been collecting premiums from them all this time, wants to take it away?”
Tempting Savings
Such recoveries represent a tempting savings for insurers, employers and union-administered plans. The American Benefits Council and America’s Health Insurance Plans, the health-insurer lobby, estimate health plans recoup some $1 billion a year in medical claims from accident settlements and other third parties. A cottage industry of auditing firms, benefit-recovery specialists and subrogation lawyers help them. They estimate that between 1% and 3% of health-care spending is potentially recoverable from such claims.
“In the past, employers used to think of this as an afterthought,” says Tom Lawrence, chief executive of Memphis-based Benefit Recovery Inc., whose clients include Southwest Airlines Co. and hospital chain HCA Inc. HCA says it saw annual savings from recouped claims rise to $1.8 million in 2006 from just under $800,000 in 2000 after hiring the firm.
Benefit Recovery contracts directly with employers. It says it’s able to recover between $12 and $15 per health-plan member a year—up to $1.5 million for a big plan with 100,000 members—by recovering medical expenses from injury-suit settlements.
Until recently, employers and insurers generally didn’t go after small claims. But more-sophisticated claims tracking has made it easier. Recovery companies systematically search claims for certain medical codes—say, a sprained ankle or head trauma—that flag a potential accident. Claims examiners then mail a questionnaire and often follow up with calls. If the injured person confirms it was an accident, the firm tracks whether the patient files an injury suit.
If there is a lawsuit settlement, employers may seek to recoup money they paid for medical expenses. In many cases, it’s relatively cut and dried: Often medical expenses are just a portion of the overall damages award, or the accident victim’s attorney reaches a compromise with the health plan ahead of any settlement.
Some plans are taking a further step, refusing to pay claims in the first place, unless the person filing the claim signs an additional form promising to reimburse the plan from settlement proceeds.
Don Burgett, an engineer on an offshore oil-drilling ship, from Texas, has been waiting for his health plan to pay $89,000 in medical claims since his daughter’s accident two years ago. Magan Burgett, then 18, was thrown from the back of an all-terrain vehicle in October 2005, tearing her liver, breaking her jaw and fracturing her back.
Soon after Magan’s parents submitted the bills for her two-week stay in an intensive-care unit, her father’s health plan—the Maryland-based MEBA Medical and Benefits Plan—mailed him a reimbursement agreement that restated the plan’s rights to a potential settlement.
“To consider claims related to your accident,” it said, Mr. Burgett had to sign it first. When he didn’t, MEBA stopped paying claims after reimbursing several hundred dollars in Magan’s medical expenses.
Neal Korval, MEBA’s outside counsel, says that asking a plan member to sign a reimbursement agreement in such cases is standard procedure and a policy outlined in its health plan rules. It helps prevent accident victims and their attorneys from trying to “freeze out” the plan from a potential settlement, he says, and also reminds or advises the plan member of his or her obligations.
In September, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas sided with the Burgetts, ruling that MEBA’s health plan summary, which it considered the prevailing document, didn’t stipulate such conditions to pay a claim. The Burgetts’ attorney says they secured a $75,000 accident settlement—a net of $50,000 after legal expenses—though that isn’t enough to cover Magan’s medical expenses. Mr. Korval says MEBA has recently reached a settlement with the family over the unpaid medical claims, but declined to disclose terms.
How much power health plans have to enforce subrogation is based on a hodgepodge of federal and state law still being tackled in the courts. A pivotal Supreme Court ruling last year gave health plans a leg up. In that case, a Maryland couple, Joel and Marlene Sereboff, were injured in an accident while returning a rental car to an airport in 2000; they required $75,000 in medical care. The couple later received a settlement of $750,000, from various parties, related to the accident.
Mid Atlantic Medical Services, now owned by UnitedHealth Group Inc., administered the health plan of Mrs. Sereboff’s employer and sued the couple when they refused to pay the company out of their settlement.
Money Set Aside
In a unanimous decision, the court upheld that Mid Atlantic had the right to enforce its claim, in large part because it could point to the settlement money set aside in an easily identifiable fund. The couple had placed the money in a separate account when the issue went to court. The decision has made it easier for plans to go after settlements, legal experts say.
Few such cases have attracted as much attention in legal circles as the Shanks’. Mrs. Shank took a job in 1999 stocking shelves at a Wal-Mart store in Cape Girardieu, Mo. She jumped at the shift from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. so that she could spend days at home with her three sons, Mr. Shank says. After a probation period, she qualified for benefits under the Wal-Mart health plan in February 2000.
One day about three months later, as she and a girlfriend were touring local yard sales, a semi-trailer truck plowed into the driver’s side of her minivan. Her friend’s injuries were minor, but Mrs. Shank suffered major brain trauma and spent the next several weeks in intensive care. She drifted in and out of a coma, and the hospital, for months.
“One doctor didn’t give her any chance,” says Mr. Shank, a maintenance worker at Southeast Missouri State University. Her medical bills climbed past $460,000. The health plan paid them promptly. “They were terrific in that respect,” he says.
It also sent Mr. Shank several notices that he was to inform Wal-Mart’s health plan before he settled any suit. In 2002, the Shanks did sue and won a settlement from G.E.M. Transportation Inc., owner of the truck. The firm had only $1 million in liability coverage, though. For his own losses, Mr. Shank received $200,000, of which $119,000 remained after legal expenses. He says he spent most of it toward a one-story house fitted with ramps and wider doors, which is more accessible than the family’s previous three-level home.
Mrs. Shank’s own settlement was $700,000. After legal expenses and attorney fees, the remaining $417,477 was placed in a court-created special trust designed specifically for Mrs. Shank’s future care. The Shanks’ lawyer, Maurice Graham, wrote the Wal-Mart health plan informing them. Mrs. Shank had received no funds directly, he said, and therefore had nothing to pay Wal-Mart back.
Nearly three years went by, Mr. Shank says, before they heard again from Wal-Mart. Mrs. Shank struggled a year rotating in and out of the hospital and rehabilitation programs. She could no longer use her right arm or three fingers on her left hand because of neurological damage. She couldn’t feed or dress herself and conversations with her family were limited to all but simple questions. Eventually, her husband moved her to a nursing home for around-the-clock care. Medicare and Medicaid pay for the nursing home. Mr. Shank used some of the trust’s proceeds to continue paying a private aide to care for her there.
‘A Decent Quality of Life’
“We wanted her to have a decent quality of life, and we still had the money,” he says. He hoped he could also use it to pay the roughly $130,000 in bills for Mrs. Shank’s rehabilitation and a return hospital visit after her coverage expired.
But in August 2005, Wal-Mart re-emerged with a lawsuit against the Shanks demanding repayment for $469,216 in medical costs out of their settlement. It charged that the Shanks had violated the terms of the health plan by not reimbursing it. The company also demanded payment of legal fees and interest for the cost of suing the Shanks for the money.
Mr. Graham, the Shanks’ attorney, says he approached Wal-Mart’s attorneys about negotiating a compromise, but was told the health plan wanted to proceed with the lawsuit. “We’re not contending that Wal-Mart isn’t entitled to a payment. We’re saying they’re entitled to one based on equity,” he says. Since Mrs. Shank wasn’t fully compensated for her damages in the first place, he argues, Wal-Mart should also expect only partial reimbursement.
Administrators of employer-financed health plans “have an obligation to participants to be impartial,” the Wal-Mart spokeswoman says. “Virtually all health plans include subrogation provisions as a way to control health plan costs.”
In August last year, U.S. district judge Lewis Blanton sided with Wal-Mart, ruling that when Mrs. Shank signed on to Wal-Mart’s health plan she was obligated to abide by its terms.
The ruling came six days before the Shanks’ 18-year-old son, Jeremy, was killed in September last year in Iraq shortly after he arrived in the U.S. Army’s 25th Infantry Division.
“I wanted to give up at that point, tell Wal-Mart they won,” Mr. Shank says, but his lawyer, Mr. Graham, said he’d continue with appeals.
Mrs. Shank went to Jeremy’s funeral. But because of memory problems due to her injuries, she gets confused about what happened. On a recent morning, she cried several times and asked what had happened to her middle son. Mr. Shank says that he obtained a divorce from Mrs. Shank this year, partly because of advice from a health-care administrator that she might be more eligible for public aid as a single woman. Mrs. Shank, who has been declared incompetent by a court, hasn’t been informed of the divorce by her family.
The Shanks lost an appeal before a three-judge panel in the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals in August and last month were denied a request for a hearing before the entire court. They plan to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, though only a small percentage of cases are chosen to be heard.
“Sometimes I want to tell Wal-Mart, ‘Ok, you won on the principle. But just let us keep the money,” Mr. Shank says.
Write to Vanessa Fuhrmans at
Posted by Corey Himrod on Tuesday, November 20, 2007
COMMENTS
Im actually familiar with this case, I know someone that is involved with it. She was covered by Wal-Mart to cover her care until the trucking company responsible paid following the lawsuit. Her husband was aware of this, so was her attorney. Wal-Mart is not wrong in this case. Any other corp would do the same thing.
Big T in Rogers
Tuesday, November 20 at 04:23 PM
“every company does it” defense, as if magically that makes everything ok.
It sure didn’t take long for this to happen!
Big T, Why don’t you crawl back under your master’s rock? You can recognize it by the “MADE IN CHINA” label.
Big D in
Tuesday, November 20 at 05:25 PM
What did Wal-Mart do wrong in this case? Were they responsible or was the trucking company? It amazes me that this happens and everyone attacks the biggest player in the game. You are ignorant if you think Wal-Mart owes these folks money. The husband knew the money was only to pay for expenses until he collected the settlement. So he buyes a new house with it....
Big T in Rogers
Tuesday, November 20 at 05:37 PM
Problem with walmart
LEE SCOTT PRES + CEO WALMART
P.O. BOX 116
BENTONVILLE,AR 72712-9956
Send your problem to them . Be sure to include MANAGERS NAME - STORE #.
1. Send a BLACK PIECE of paper to represent COAL.
2. Tell them how you feel about their Bonus system.
3. Other problems be sure to get names, by their own rules they have to respond if you give a valid return add,phone ,email,
4. Every unresolved problem cames out of their bonus.
JOE in
Tuesday, November 20 at 05:39 PM
JOE in: Happy Thanksgiving to you ,JOE, and sincerest wishes to your family,too!
ddrb in
Tuesday, November 20 at 05:54 PM
Wal-Mart cares about one thing...$$$$$$$$. I worked for them for 8 years and then they screwed me over because I got arthritis in my back. They don’t care about the employees or the consumers but they can do whatever they want because people will still shop there. There’s strength in numbers and if the consumers would all shop elsewhere things would change.
Sick Of Wal-Mart in Salem Indiana
Tuesday, November 20 at 08:34 PM
Sick of WalMart : Thank you for saying what I have been saying-QUIT FEEDING THE BEAST!!! You only strengthen and fatten up the tyrant-PLEASE SHOPPERS,GO INTO RETAIL REHAB THIS BLACK FRIDAY-LET’S SEE” RED” ,INSTEAD !!!
ddrb in
Tuesday, November 20 at 08:40 PM
Im not familar with this case but I do know at the store I work at some of the people who were hurt in a accident had to pay back their medical expenses even though they had Walmart insurance. One of the ladies in the office had a head on collision and Walmart paid her medical expenses but when the other insurance went to settle her attorney had to reimburse Walmart for the medical expenses. One of the people greeters fell in front of a restaurant because there were no yellow lines warning of a step and she too had to reimburse Walmart for any medical expenses they paid out.
kathleen in
Tuesday, November 20 at 08:57 PM
remind me again how good walmart is for america. This sort of crap would never happen in Canada
Mike the Canuck in
Tuesday, November 20 at 10:17 PM
Wal-Mart is not good at all for America but people will absolutely not quit shopping there because they think they can save some money. As far as I’m concerned K-Mart and Target are much better and even cheaper on some things. Wal-Mart does not care people, you need to see the light show this crooked conglomerate we mean business.
Sick Of Wal-Mart in
Tuesday, November 20 at 11:23 PM
kathleen - “One of the ladies in the office had a head on collision and Walmart paid her medical expenses but when the other insurance went to settle her attorney had to reimburse Walmart for the medical expenses.”
This happens, because if the original insurance was not reimbursed, the people would be PAID TWICE, for the same expenses. If this became the standard, think about how much that would cause insurance rates to rise.
jerry in
Tuesday, November 20 at 11:28 PM
Jerry in : That may or not be so,depending upon primary status, and secondary policies,where applicable,and coordinating coverage.
ddrb in
Tuesday, November 20 at 11:37 PM
Naturally I don’t know all of the facts, however several errors were made here. First the lawyer for the Shanks should have been aware of this and made sure the settlement compensatedfor same. Yes the max insurance of one million played into it.
How much did the attorney make—probably $200,000 after expeneses, yet he was par tof the problem.
Big T you are wrong in completely backing WM on this as a fair settlement could have been made. Also did you not read that a portion of the overall settlement was to Mr. Shanks, and not part of her settlement. I see nothing wrong in him buying a begger house to care for his wife. At least from what I read he did not go “boozing"it up with his share. You are pathetic Big T.
Personally I blame the lawyer for all of this problem, he should have had an agreement with WM’s insurer before he filed the lawsuit against the trucking company. Why can’t he go back and sue WM’s insurer for long term care, etc. I could have done a better job than him, of course I am basing this on only what I had read.
If the insurance company continues to pursue for WM, I do believe this should be vastly publicized.
The Sage in
Tuesday, November 20 at 11:45 PM
I’m curious whether the settlement was to ensure the woman received proper care in the future or if it was to reimburse medical expenses already incurred from her accident.
If it was to reimburse the family for medical bills I can see
(in a heart-of-stone kind of way) Wal-Mart’s view that it should be reimbursed since it was Wal-mart that paid the bills and not the family. If that’s the case though it should have been Wal-Mart suing the company and paying the legal fees.
If the money was to ensure the woman’s quality of life in the future by covering things that insurance wouldn’t then I don’t think they should get a dime.
Of course I also think that anyone who works for Wal-Mart above the level of store manager should contract elephantiasis. But that’s just me.
fightin' J in Minnesota
Wednesday, November 21 at 12:03 AM
fightin’J: I wonder just how many folks are going to think about(or even know about ) this story when those WalMart commercials are bombardinfgTV viewers this week, extolling the virtues of how “so many associates” are now being covered by W/M health insurance?? This is ghoulish-is this (subrogation) the vampire “sucksessor” to the dead janitors’ policies??
ddrb in
Wednesday, November 21 at 12:36 AM
OMG you guys must be crazy if you think this money is not owed back to Walmart Health Insurance. Health insurance steps in to cover expenses not covered by the accident insurance. If there was no accident insurance then absolutely Walmart Health would be 100% the only insurance. since they would be primary. BUT if the auto insurance (who should be primary) pays then Walmart Health is secondary and thus not liable. This standard industry practice people!
You anti-Walmart guys need to find another story because this one’s a joke. I agree with The Sage on one point… I think the couple’s lawyer really screwed them by not settling for an amount that would cover their reimbursement as well as their pain and suffering. But hey… the lawyer made out like a bandit didn’t he/she… and they wern’t the ones physically hurt!
mary in
Wednesday, November 21 at 06:25 AM
k-mart is not better it sucks i worked there.target sucks on their prices.sick of walmart keep on shopping at target and k-mart and paying more there for the same products from china and bangladesh that walmart sells/paying more elsewhere the products dont last any longer.
matthew vantress in gresham oregon
Wednesday, November 21 at 06:26 AM
I understand the attitude toward Walmart, however the recovery of medical expenses paid by a health plan when a settlement is involved is covered in the policy agreement. I recently was involved in an accident and had medical treatment for which my health care plan paid. When I received my settlement I had to repay the medical expenses that the plan paid. This was very plainly laid out in my policy agreement. This is not Walmart’s fault, just as it was not the fault of the company I work for. It is not even the insurance industries fault; it is our fault for letting ourselves be bullied by corporate America. Take a stand, write letters, participate in websites like this one, just get involved and stop thinking someone else will speak out on your behalf.
Phil in Indianapolis IN
Wednesday, November 21 at 10:10 AM
Phil in :Thank you for your comment,Phil,especially the part about being bullied by corporate America and the necessity to “talk back to power”...insurance firms were absolutely unconscionable regarding claims made from Hurricane Rita and Katrina-although most of those were claims re:homeowners,and not P.I. cases(Personal injury). Fortunatley, Dickie Scruggs of Misssissippi set some of the companies’ noses “straight” for them!
ddrb in
Wednesday, November 21 at 10:49 AM
You can say what you want about this case, but how about looking at it this way: wouldn’t it just BE THE RIGHT THING to let the Shanks keep this money? Mrs Shank is PERMANENTY DISABLED! We are talking about a HUGE corporation who can well aford to let these people keep the money. But Wal-Mart STOPPED doing the right thing a long time ago.
I’m sorry, but this case just proves to me and probably dozens of others JUST HOW CHEAP WAL-MART IS. They are a company that makes billions in sales, and can well afford to part with this money. Lets not talk legal stuff here folks, lets talk about what is the right thing to do. And since when did doing the right thing become such a crime?
Jane in N.Y. in
Wednesday, November 21 at 11:48 AM
Since I don’t know all of the particulars in this case, allow me to say a couple more things.
I firmly believe the Shanks lawyer orginally screwed things up and perhaps he is now handling all of this “pro bono” and he should.
Yes WM is legally correct in the suit to recover. Now consider this—WM is doing what they probably have to, however in the final settlement, I believe they will make a minor settlement (maybe nothing) as they would not want all the bad publicity.
WM at this time cannot so state as it could hurt their cause. I have a lot of issues with WM but I honestly believe it will end up similar to what I have stated.
From another perspective, WMW has reported the truth to a point, but it is always slanted. Another perspective such as I have written is never stated. We will see in a few months.
The Sage in
Wednesday, November 21 at 12:03 PM
Jane hit the the nail on the head....THIS WOMAN IS PERMANENTLY DISABLED. This is not something that one settlement is going to take care. The lady will incur medical expenses for the rest of her life that will probably end up in the millions of dollars. She worked for Wal-Mart and they care absolutely nothing about her or they would do the right thing as Jane stated. Matthew I worked for Wal-Mart for 8 years and I know how they are. They will cut corners to make an extra buck but the problem is that they don’t care which corners they cut. Wheres all the bad publicity for Target & K-Mart? Oh there isn’t any because they are much better companies than Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart could be taken down a notch or 2 if not for all you Wal-Mart groupies that think of the place as Heaven on Earth. Wal-Mart would love to be God people but they are not so stop treating them like they are. Theres many horror stories about Wal-Mart and I’d be willing to bet that most of them are true. Like I said, I worked for them for 8 years and I witnessed alot of things including racism, sexual harrassment, neglect for safety and complete disrespect for the employees just to name a few. I will keep shopping at Target and K-Mart and you go ahead and keep worshiping Wal-Mart, maybe someday you will see the truth.
Sick Of Wal-Mart in
Wednesday, November 21 at 01:49 PM
Another thing I’d like to add is something that Wal-Mart did to a friend of mine. He owns a business where he makes hats and jackets of about anything you can imagine. Wal-Mart contracted him to make 1000 jackets for the employees which my friend gladly accepted the offer because he had done quite alot of business with Wal-Mart already. Well he finished the jackets and Wal-Mart sent a truck to pick them all up, everything was going great and then what do you know, the saintly Wal-Mart drops a bomb on my buddy. Two weeks later the truck rolls back up to his business and drops the jackets back off saying they had the jackets made in Mexico for less money. Well of course my buddy went ballistic because he designed everything about this jacket including the jacket. He told the Wal-Mart rep that it was his design and they stole it. Well what do you think Wal-Marts response was? “THATS WHAT OUR LAWYERS ARE FOR” exact words. Now my buddy took a gigantic loss on this deal because Wal-Mart went to MEXICO to copy his products. I’m sure all you Wal-Mart groupies will come up with some justification for this but it will be nothing but crap because theres nothing you can say that will make this right. They screwed over a very nice Christian man here who owns a little small town business and they didn’t care at all what they done. Ok groupies lets here the lame excuses to back Wal-Mart on yet another sadistic act.
Sick Of Wal-Mart in
Wednesday, November 21 at 02:04 PM
You people are too much.
Jane… Walmart… “do the right thing”. If Walmart strayed from policy, policy that is INDUSTRY STANDARD, what happens when the next person has the same issue? Do you people understand what that would do to your already high health insurance costs? Give me a break from your bleeding yet clueless heart. I absolutely agree that this women should have been taken care of in the settlement, but take that up with her attorney who screwed her royally. Talk about a malpractice suit!!
Sick of.. as for your “friend”.... did he have a contract with Walmart? Did Walmart violate the contract? This is Business 101 folks. Either your friend was dumb or your story is like swiss cheese full of holes.
mary in
Wednesday, November 21 at 02:55 PM
Well I knew one of the groupies would come up with something stupid. I really don’t appreciate being called a liar because this story is true so I don’t really care what you think. Wal-Mart is whats full of holes, you all are just too blind to see it and too stupid to care. For your information there was a contract which is why I said Wal-Mart “CONTRACTED” him. So I guess Business 101 for Wal-Mart is to screw over good honest people, go figure. My friend is far from being dumb, he has owned this business for 30 years and like I said, he has done lots of business with Wal-Mart before. Now the other business deals went well untill Wal-Mart decided to screw him over by copying his designs in Mexico. Wal-Mart had exact duplicates made and thats dirty any way you look at it. Go ahead and defend them, they would screw any one of us over in a heartbeat to benefit themselves.
Sick Of Wal-Mart in
Wednesday, November 21 at 03:18 PM
Well then there you have it Sick of… if your friend had a contract with Walmart then this is an easy issue to solve. Just have him contact a lawyer because this should be an open and shut case. There’s no need to defend Walmart. If they were in the wrong and violated the agreement then go ahead a sue the b@$$tard’s. And I’d say the same thing if it was Costco, Target, KMart, Sears, etc. Again… it’s Business 101.
mary in
Wednesday, November 21 at 03:45 PM
btw, the moral of the story is in Business 101 NEVER EVER TRUST ANNNYYYOOONNNE, that’s why contracts were created.
mary in
Wednesday, November 21 at 03:47 PM
The real moral of this story is the deceptive and fraudulent behavior of WalMart on insurance polices just like the “Dead peasant” COLI’s (Company Owned Life Insurance) that WalMart collected on their ‘associate’ janitors even when they no longer worked for WalMart. Wage slaves where WalMart had no insurable interest but collected on these people and the familes got nothing.
WalMart- We are a psychopath business that screws people for money anyway we can get it. That’s our Business 101 attitude against Americans. Socially responsible and accountable? That is not in our Bentonville business and you and the Shanks can all just go to hell.
SanDiegoView in WalMart- the Hannibal Lecter of retail
Wednesday, November 21 at 05:40 PM
No,the Attorney did not screwed up,you can not sue for Medical Expense that have already been paid,WalMart can not sue the Trucking Company for the Medical Bills for her,but they can sue her.
Yes, Insurance Companies can sue you,but they have the option to are not some one in HQ did not use there brain.
Did you read were he had to Divorce her she can get Mediciad,again some one on the Federal Welfare program because of Wal-Mart,
Te amount she got was on the time of she has left,which some one with this injury is 10 years the 430,000 would have taken care of her.
This was a bad call for Wal-Mart this should have just gone on by, I also wonder how much in billable hours the Attorney’s cost,but wait Wal-Mart now capping there hourly rate.
I can just hear some of you WalMart does not have to etc. but there is some thing called Human compassion that is a word Wally Worl does not know and some there
WallStreet in
Wednesday, November 21 at 05:48 PM
You truly missed the point WallStreet. Did the plaintifs and lawyers NOT KNOW that that they would be obligated to repay their health care insurer in the event of a settlement? If they did know did they not account for those monies in their suit? Your statement of “you can not sue for medical expenses that have already been paid” is FALSE!
It’s this simple. If the plaintif did not have health insurance they would owe a debt to their medical providers. At the time of the suit you sue to recover all medical expenses in addition to “pain and suffering” and any additional future medical expenses. If you win the suit, which should be an easy task, you would then take part of the proceeds from the settlement, the monies earmarked to pay for medical expenses, and pay your providers who are waiting for their reimbursement. The only benefit that health insurance provides is that they act on your behalf and “pre-forward” monies for your expenses, AS REQUIRED BY LAW. All you are doing is reimbursing the health insurance provider for the monies they paid. This not that hard to understand.
YES, the attorney screwed up in a major way by either not accounting for those reimbursements and by not suing for the proper amount.
mary in
Wednesday, November 21 at 06:15 PM
Why in the hell would my friend even try to sue Wal-Mart? Do you know what the chances would be of him actually beating Wal-Mart in a court of law? Wal-Mart has too many lawyers and too much money for a small business owner to even think about taking them to court. Even if he had a chance of winning, Wal-Marts lawyers would drag it through the system for so long it would eventually get dropped because of the statute of limitations. If Wal-Mart can’t be trusted as a good American corporation then people should stop shopping there. Consumers made this giant retailer and consumers could break them as well because theres strength in numbers but for some reason people won’t stop shopping there. If all you Wal-Mart enthusiasts shopt there just to save a few dollars then you might as well sell your soul to the devil. Wal-Mart is trying to take over everything from retail to gas stations to banks and they are destroying alot of people and small businesses along the way. Do they care? Hell no they don’t care. When Sam Walton was alive I think Wal-Mart was a better place but now, they have no human compassion for anyone except the big shots within the company. Open your eyes people my God its in plain sight for everyone to see and I just can’t understand why so many thousands of people are blind to it.
Sick Of Wal-Mart in
Wednesday, November 21 at 06:49 PM
Does anyone not see the fact that it was not a walmart truck that hit Mrs. Shanks, but, rather G.E.M. Transportation Inc., owner of the truck. That makes G.E.M. Transportation Inc., and their insurance company liable for the damages.
wallstreet - “you can not sue for Medical Expense that have already been paid”
This is false, it’s called ‘subregation’, where the liable party reimburses the non-liable party who paid the bills.
Jane - “We are talking about a HUGE corporation who can well aford to let these people keep the money.”
This is known as the ‘Deep Pockets’ theory of law, hit the people with the most money, whether they are at fault or not. Letting them keep the money, would set a legal precedent, if you do it for one, you would have to do it for ALL.
“Lets not talk legal stuff here folks,”
As this is a legal matter and we are a nation of LAWS, talking ‘legal stuff’, is the only way to talk about it.
jerry in
Wednesday, November 21 at 07:16 PM
Health insurance is supposed to cover the cost of health care.
Lawsuit settlements are NOT health insurance. It is outrageous that such a clause can even be written into a policy - and it is disgusting that people would defend it (when it obviously has such devastating effects).
Defending the health care/health insurance system in this country is moronic. Look at any other developed country - (and look of the value of the dollar before you say that our economy is better than their’s) and get a clue. This is messed up.
axn in big city
Wednesday, November 21 at 09:56 PM
Well said axn I totally agree. Our country is going to hell in a handbasket and these crooked insurance companies and policies are just the tip of the iceberg. Insurance companies are cheating thousands of people everyday and I can’t see how anyone can defend them. The laws cater to the insurance companies. When I first started driving it wasn’t the law that you had to have insurance but when it was made a law, the companies started rewriting their policies to screw over people and put more money in their pockets. Now its the same with all types of insurance, the companies know insurance is a necessity so they put in all these clauses to screw people over.
As for Wal-Mart, they have their hands in every cookie jar and someday all you people who support them will see what they stand for. They are suppose to be about morals and family values well let me tell you, after working for them, I know all about their morals and family value. Family value to them means Wal-Mart family which is all the big shots with the company. I’m sure some of you defenders of Wal-Mart are employed there so if you aren’t high up the totem pole you should see the light someday. For those Wal-Mart groupies who are not employed there, go get a job there and see if you don’t find out the facts about dirty the company really is, especially if you get an injury or illness.
Sick Of Wal-Mart in
Wednesday, November 21 at 10:34 PM
Walmart issued health insurance for Mrs. Shank. She paid the premiums. She needed health care after the accident. Instead of meeting their responsibility to pay the policy, Walmart claims justification in a clause to ultimately not pay for health care if someone else can be blamed for the accident. Shank had a health care policy with Walmart irrespective of the cause of need or so she thought. Walmart had a policy feature that prevented the Shanks from recovering damages or if they did then the Walmart scumbags wanted the money leaving the Shanks in financial distress.
All the Walmart employee suckers should be aware of this health insurance and other money scams from Walmart. But Walmart will conceal the fine print truth from you… leaving you the impression that you have health insurance coverage for catastrophic events when you actually have something else as a policy, just like it was for these Walmart insurance suckers...the Shanks.
Walmart is my kind of people.
Judas in league with Walmart scumbags
Thursday, November 22 at 12:18 AM
Judas - “Walmart had a policy feature that prevented the Shanks from recovering damages”
Hello, walmart’s insurance did not prevent the Shanks from anything. This was an automobile accident and is covered by automobile insurance, not healthcare insurance. The fact is, walmart insurance advanced the medical payments, kind of a loan, until the liable party paid up, in the lawsuit, then the loan was to be repaid, get it? What you are advocating, is that the Shanks should benefit TWICE for the same bills.
jerry in
Thursday, November 22 at 01:27 AM
Why don’t we let this play out? We can conjecture all we want but none of us has read the petition/pleading filed in the court. I firmly believe the final outcome will be fair for the Shanks from Wal-Mart—let it play out and no point in trying to take me to task for I know a fair amount regarding law and how it works.
What Wal-Mart has written into their insurance polices is very similar if not the same as many companies. As I stated before, I would sue the original attorney, if a fair agreent is not reached. It is his job to know the law and he should have been congnizant of any provisions in the policy and should have read the policy, etc. Then when he sued the trucking firm and the truking firms insurer he should have made this all known to the court, etc. I can’t believe how dumb some of you posters can be.
If the lawyer made the mistake (and we can’t be positive of anything on here) then I would sue him and his insurance company for his errors and omissions resluting in mal practice.
The Sage in
Thursday, November 22 at 01:52 AM
judas, Sick of and axn.... do you people even hear what you are saying?
“Instead of meeting their responsibility to pay the policy, Walmart claims justification in a clause to ultimately not pay for health care if someone else can be blamed for the accident”
“Walmart claims justification in a clause to ultimately not pay for health care if someone else can be blamed for the accident”
“Walmart had a policy feature that prevented the Shanks from recovering damages “
“Lawsuit settlements are NOT health insurance. It is outrageous that such a clause can even be written into a policy”
“but when it was made a law, the companies started rewriting their policies to screw over people and put more money in their pockets”
You have got to be kidding me. Do you people understand some of the things you say and how things work? Bottom line, if the Shanks received no money in a settlement then their health insurance would absolutely pay for treatment. All their health insurance did was advance the money expecting to be paid back. Hell, if the Shanks had sued and lost the case their health insurance would still be the ones paying the bill. They were not the primary.
Sick of.. as for your comment about your friend and the lawsuit… then let me ask you WHY HAVE A CONTRACT IN THE FIRST PLACE??? This should be cut and dry. In the state of MD you can file a Medium claims case up to $25,000 without the need for a lawyer. If your friend has a legitimate claim there is no legal reason why he should not file. btw, i suggest you read up on what “statute of limitations” means because you’re wrong there too.
mary in
Thursday, November 22 at 01:59 AM
I hate to post twice but I have to answer “Sick of WM in”
(post of 11/21 6:49pm) Your posts relative to your friend don’t make much sense to me.
If your friend had a valid contract with WM he should have sued, assuming what you posted is correct. Wal-Mart can be beaten in a court of law and many attorneys jump at the opportunity. I would love to do it but I don’t have a license so I do in another fashion.
Because you hate WM you make many fallacious statements in your posting You are entitled to hate WM if you wish, I am neither for nor against WM - I just want it all to be fair.
Did your friend send an invoice to WM for the jackets? Did they return invoice with a statement of why not pay8ing, etc?
Why did he accept the return of the goods on the trailer?
Lots of questions to make sense of this situation.
You state that WM lawyers would drag it out so long that it would get dropped because of “statute of limitations”. This is a complete falsehood. The limitations statute only runs before the suit is filed, not afterwards. Get facts straight when you get into the legal arena. Maybe now it might be too late to file as the limitation might be two years from a certain date. I don’t know your state nor would I look it up for you. Sorry but I believe you wanted to rant about WM and used your friends case, but I can’t say if he was or was not improperly treated —you give no facts.
The Sage in
Thursday, November 22 at 02:05 AM
Then, of course, there are the PR implications. Some of you older posters will remember the Reality vs Perception debate.
Ken V in Texas
Thursday, November 22 at 04:39 AM
“Deborah Shank had finally qualified for Wal-Mart health benefits...”
“This was an automobile accident and is covered by automobile insurance, not healthcare insurance.”
jerry
“Walmart claims justification in a clause to ultimately not pay for health care if someone else can be blamed for the accident.”
Judas
This is about avarice and ‘love of money’ legal psychopaths in the WalMart business model. She needed the health care policy to pay out irrespective of the cause. WalMart is ultimately balking on their health insurance coverage for Shank. The cause of the accident or who did it is not relevant to the concept or perception of health care coverage and the policy that WalMart collected premiums on. WalMart lost the bet on the need for health care costs. Obviously Judas understands this far better than you jerry.
WalMart- We have no insurable interests in our impoverished ‘associates’. But we want to unjustly enrich ourselves at their expense.
SanDiegoView in
Thursday, November 22 at 04:57 AM
SDV in: Firstly, Happy Thanksgiving,and no doubt you have much to be grateful for, not the least of which, that you and yours were spared from the recent, horrific San Diego fires. I have noticed your use on numerous occasions of the word psychopath.It brought to mind a definition of psycopath that I had looked up( in reference to WalMart ) some years ago when they insinuated themselves into our midst. “Psychopath”: One who has not lost contact with reality,but who engages in abnormally aggressive behavior and/or seriously irresponsible behavior with little or no feeling of guilt.(Merriam Webster New Collegiate Dictionary) I’d say you are spot on,SDV!!
ddrb in
Thursday, November 22 at 10:18 AM
Ken V in Texas: Your resurrection of the “perception vs. reality” conundrum brings to mind the reality of the Bush administration, as oppsed to the promises of “compassionate conservativism” and allusions to no nation building- Well,I guess he did get that one -our nation is not being built up,but is being torn down ,daily thanks to corporate cronyism,NAFTA,CAFTA,SHAFTA,Iraq,illegal immigration,etc.,etc.,etc.,---Folks, its not what people SAY,its what people Do, that is the final proof of the pudding . STOP SHOPPING AT WALMART!!
ddrb in
Thursday, November 22 at 10:28 AM
“Psychopath”: One who has not lost contact with reality,but who engages in abnormally aggressive behavior and/or seriously irresponsible behavior with little or no feeling of guilt”
ddrb, thanks adding that definition. I couldn’t have phrased it better myself when putting label to SDV. And that’s in addition to the PURE OUTRIGHT LIES that he spreads.
“The cause of the accident or who did it is not relevant to the concept or perception of health care coverage and the policy that WalMart collected premiums on” OH HOW WRONG YOU ARE!
mary in
Thursday, November 22 at 10:39 AM
Mary: Perhaps the operative word in SDV’s post was “perception”? BTW,did you ever get around to a suggestion for a” retail rehab” Christmas? You and Matt haven’t come up with any chartiable ideas yet, and Black Friday is almost here!
ddrb in
Thursday, November 22 at 11:37 AM
Well its obvious that Little Miss Mary Know It All and Sage are complete Wal-Mart ignorant groupies. When I say IGNORANT I mean ignorant as to the unamerican values and customs of Wal-Mart. I’m done talking about my friends situation because I told all the facts and you all didn’t read it right or just take time to understand. Wal-Mart brought the jackets back and didn’t even asked him to accept, they unloaded them right on the sidewalk. Now as I said before, you can defend this piece of shit company all you want but people like you are the ones fuel the fire for these assholes. I know the facts about my situation too and Wal-Mart forced me to quit after 8 years of service to them because I got arthritis. I won awards for production and employee of the month and I never missed work so I know how these bastards work. Of course to you Wal-Mart groupies, I’m probably making this up to because you are not going to believe anything bad about Wal-Mart. I talked to 2 lawyers about my situation but neither would go up against Wal-Mart yet Sage says lawyers will jump at the chance to go against them. Hell even in my situation, Wal-Mart fought me from getting unemployment and I couldn’t hardly move for 8 months but they are such a great company and would do no wrong......BULLSHIT.
Sick Of Wal-Mart in
Thursday, November 22 at 11:37 AM
OOPS: That should have read “charitable”.
ddrb in
Thursday, November 22 at 11:38 AM
Sick of WM—you are the one who does not read the post intelligently. I said in your friend case lawyers would jump at the chance—naturally assuming your friend had a valid cause. From your posting I don’t know if he did or did’t for you are not cogent in your remarks.
As to WM forcing you to quit, I have no comment for I don’t know the facts - perhaps you should have let them eventually fire you and then your cause might be different.
As to unemployment almost all companies will fight the compensation payments, WM is no exception. They can be beat as I did it for a couple of people who were denied benefits, and I filed the papers for them and they got their due. Always do things in a logical manner, I can tell by your post and filthy language why you have become a failure.
When you attempt to say I am an “ignorant WM goupie” you make yourself out a fool. I am a very intelligent person, I look at a situation in a critical and logical vein (not like most on here) and then set up my arguments.
Since you don’t know me don’t make an accusation as I am neither “for” nor “against” Wal-Mart. I give credit where do and take issue when necessary. In certain situations I have had WM back down and change things. (these I cannot discuss on this board) I put my trust in my Lord Jesus for all that I do, and also hope Ron Paul will be the next president.
The Sage in
Thursday, November 22 at 12:28 PM
Its not my fault if all you understand is legal mumbo jumbo. I put everything as clearly and simple as it could be put. Forgive me if I’m not as SMART as you and I do not put everything into words so that you have to be a genius to understand. Maybe you should learn understand more simple things for I am a simple man and I’m proud of it. On the other hand, why would you ASSUME that I’m a failure? Is it because I don’t have a big high paying job like you? Or maybe its because I don’t put everything into legal language like you? Maybe its because I’m not as INTELLIGENT as you. Well whatever it is I really don’t care because I have 3 wonderful daughters and 5 terrific grandkids who don’t think I’m a failure and thats all that matters to me. Some of the things you say in this forum makes me wonder about you because you just don’t read things clearly. I NEVER said you were not intelligent, maybe you should go back and read it slowly so you take it all in. I said you were ignorant to Wal-Marts ways as many thousands of people are. I don’t know you so I don’t say anything about your intelligence other than what you know about Wal-Mart so please do not put words into my mouth. I guess on the other hand you know me because you say I’m a failure. Well like I said, think what you want, I could care less. I’ve written poetry and childrens stories which have been published. I’m working on getting an entire book put together for publication. I work in the security field and I’m also thinking very seriously of going into law enforcement. I’ve been married to the same woman for 25 years and I have a wonderful family. Now if thats being a failure, I will take that any day over being a bloodsucking lawyer.
Sick Of Wal-Mart in
Thursday, November 22 at 03:14 PM
By the way SAGE I can see by your screen name that you are very arrogant and egotistical. Those are real nice qualities to have and I’m sure our Lord Jesus will send you right through the pearly gates for having such great qualities.
Sick Of Wal-Mart in
Thursday, November 22 at 03:23 PM
Sick of Walmart in: Yes,I am ,too!! It has been my impression since posting here for just a few months now,that among WalMart"defenders", self-worth is irrelevant-it’s only net worth that counts to them-hence, their loyalty to W/m at any cost,as long as the cost isn’t THEIR bottom line!
ddrb in
Thursday, November 22 at 03:30 PM
P.S.: The “Yes, I am too!!” ,refers to being sick of W/M/.
ddrb in
Thursday, November 22 at 03:32 PM
Well said ddrb now thats some intelligent words right there. I just started posting on here and I thought this site was just for people that were against Wal-Mart. Goes to show there are Wal-Mart defenders everywhere. If some of these ever work for Wal-Mart and get a back injury or a major illness, they will see what I’m talking about because I’ve seen it happen to myself and a few others. I worked with John Mellencamps aunt who sustained a back injury and was fired. She got a lawyer and spent out thousands of dollars to fight Wal-Mart and she lost. Then you have these people on here wondering why more people do not fight Wal-Mart, well I wonder why. I thought about fighting them but I could not afford to lose so I will cut my losses and just accept the lesson I learned about what kind of company Wal-Mart is. This would be a much better country if everyone would realize the facts about Wal-Mart.
Sick Of Wal-Mart in
Thursday, November 22 at 04:05 PM
Sick of WalMart: Thank you. The best way, in my opinion ,to “tell” everyone one the truth about W/M is to “show” them by example;and, stop shopping there! As consumers, let’s all start being a “no show” at WalMart--- and please “tell” your friends and family to do the same!!
ddrb in
Thursday, November 22 at 04:30 PM
Will the Ayn Rand/Scientology Institute of WalMart Worship actually cover your mental health care needs and costs with the policy they issued you or will it just be a loan with the premiums acting as interest payments until WalMart can recover their costs from the sane?
This was from a part that needed to be moved over here. This is a good picture of what WM insurance is all about. It is not about health insurance. it is about the insanity of greed and those who take advantage of the workers at WM.
Janice in
Thursday, November 22 at 04:50 PM
ddrb-
Thank you and Happy Thanksgiving to you and your household. The fire fight now is with the insurance companies of course. I think we had 1008 structures burn down. Not one damn WalMart in the whole bunch. I think God is saving the WalMart’s for employee riots.
Thanks Janice for the thoughts on WalMart as not offering health care but rather a type of loan in this case and probably all others without the knowledge of their ‘associates’.
WalMart- The pickpocket wankers of health care.
SanDiegoView in
Friday, November 23 at 02:11 AM
ufcw unions that rip off their members and dont do shit for them but take their money and throw it in hillaryscampaign
matthew vantress in gresham oregon
Friday, November 23 at 08:03 AM
oh is walmart going to get blamed now for the fires in so cal? oh jesus christ get a life sdv and a job.same old bs you post if you dont have anything good and honest to say shut up then and go away.
matthew vantress in gresham oregon
Friday, November 23 at 08:06 AM
The things Wal-Mart is getting blamed for is things they should get blamed for. SDV has plenty to say but you MATTHEW being just another Wal-Mart groupie will not listen. Seems like you are the one without anything to say, anything that makes sense anyway. As for those fires, did you happen to see how many people got screwed by their insurance companies? Many people did because of a little clause that was put in to make sure they got screwed in case of a natural disaster. We have been talking about insurance companies and Wal-Mart, not unions and Hilary Clinton so maybe you should go away and find a forum that suits your remarks.
Sick Of Wal-Mart in
Friday, November 23 at 08:15 AM
“I am a very intelligent person” ~The Sage
People who are truly intelligent Sage, don’t need to make posts telling others how “intelligent” they are. This should be readily apparent to all, shouldn’t it?
I’ve said it once...I’ll say it again. How “intelligent” can you be? You “hope Ron Paul will be the next president?” You better “hope” he gets more than .47 percent of the popular vote like he did the last time he ran for president.
ScrewedbyWal-Mart in Anytown, America
Friday, November 23 at 10:21 AM
People who are truly intelligent Sage, don’t need to make posts telling others how “intelligent” they are.
Perhaps.
But consider this......those who do not regularly “bitch and hiss"* about Wal-Mart are automatically considered to be some sort of doofus by the dedicated followers (sheep) of WMW.
So, what’s a person to do? Get his ass kicked-around by a bunch of nobodies?
I think not.
Speaking of presidental candidates Mr. Bo...er, I mean, Mr. Screwed...just who are you supporting in ‘08?
*Excellent quote by Matthew Vantress—see what happens when you people run-off the Nicks and RDS’?
Sage Supporter in
Friday, November 23 at 10:33 AM
Sage - “perception vs. reality”
I guess, according to quite a few posters here, America should abandon “The Rule of Law” and go to a system of judging by “Feelings”, who people feel most sorry for, would win a case. Forget the ‘reality’ of a situation, but rather judge by what the ‘perception’ of the situation is. Use the old ‘they can afford it’ or ‘I don’t like them’ arguments to make judgments. No judge and jury courts, but rather a show of hands as to who the people think is more worthy of winning the case. Can you imagine the chaos, if we switched to that kind of system? Remember the old ‘lynch mobs’ and ‘vigilanty mentality’ of the old west, sounds like many here would like to bring that back.
Imagine, Sick of Wal-Mart, said you were ignorant, for wanting to sort out the FACTS before making judgment, instead of shooting first and asking questions later, no wonder this country is going downhill as ddrb said, they are the ones taking it there.
jerry in
Friday, November 23 at 10:42 AM
Sick of WM and Screwed by and perhaps I should add SDV --
When I spoke of “my intelligence” it was not meant to be superior (or now, was it????) but in response to a previous post by the above forementioned. Always read things in context—exactly what they say (a very basic concept of law).
My friend (?) SDV likes to quote bible versese but usually, if not almost always, quotes out of context. When one starts studying “The Bible” we are taught to read the chapter (verse) in relation to whom it was written to, and also the era of time in which it was written. Otherwise you will not understand the true meaning. Do you grasp this, SDV?
As to one who questioned why I use the handle, Sage --- it is because I want and try to add some sensible, rational postings to the subject, (and the subject is never followed, too many immediately go back to their usual tirade)
All have a blessed day and now start eating the leftovers.
The Sage in
Friday, November 23 at 11:20 AM
DEFENDING SUBROGATION
On November 20, 2007, the Wall Street Journal wrote a rather slanted piece slamming subrogation and the “grab for legal winnings” resulting from subrogation. The article focused on one particular case involving a brain-damaged woman named Deborah Shank, whose $700,000 settlement was assailed by her subrogated health insurer. It painted a very dark picture of subrogation.
Wal-Mart’s actions are justified and are in the best interest of the U.S. healthcare system and our economy. Here’s why. Subrogation is a legal concept whereby an insurance company which pays a loss, is entitled to recoup the same benefits it pays out, IF its insured later recovers the same items of damages from a negligent party who caused the injuries in the first place. The concept has been around since the days of the Romans and is employed in every insurance policy in America. It helps hold down insurance premiums, keeps health care costs lower, prevents double recoveries by injuried workers and holds negligent tortfeasors accountable for their actions.
Wal-mart acted no differently in this case than every other employer in the country which provides health care. Rather than trash Wal-Mart, let’s exault them for providing health insurance in the first place.
Gary Wickert
Gary L. Wickert in Hartford, WI
Friday, November 23 at 12:00 PM
WOW!!! I can’t believe what I am reading… I happened on this blog and started reading this ridiculous line of crap. My son works for a SMALL locally owned hardwware store.... NO BENEFITS, LOW PAY and I would never expect them to just give him a cool half mil cause some truck hit him. You can rest assured I would be going after the truck driver and his company, but to expect that his company would provided a half mil out of the kindness of their heart. If you are so upset with W Mart, then don’t work there, don’t shop there, but at least make some sense out of your arguments against them. Benefits are not regulated by the government (thank god). Companies pay benefits to attract employees, if their benefits or pay are not as good as the competitors, then don’t work for them. ddrb and Sick of Wal-Mart, you really need to get a life. Perhaps you need to check out the competition and find that they are no better, I don’t recall reading that any of them have ever paid an employee that suffered a terrible accident (and not while working) a cool half mil.
As far as made in MX. The fashoin industry is fighting that all the tiem, it is well known that knock off clothes are a real problem, but go to Target, K Mart or any other discount retailer and find that they are selling cheap knock offs, fight the problem not just one of the retailers.
How many people will be out of work if you are successful at getting Wal Mart to become unprofitable and start closing stores. How many people did K Mart lay off when they they did that?
Good luck in your mis directed efforts.
Can't believe what I am reading! in Detroit, CO
Friday, November 23 at 12:27 PM
For Gary Wickert in Hartford.
Yes you eloquently explained “subrogation” as to its legal consequences. Also your least sentence of exaulting WM for providing insurance is, in my judgement, self-serving for it appears to me that you do or have represented WM in some litigation. Correct me if I am incorrect. I will also step out on a limb and state (in my opinion) that someone else alerted you to this blog and the subject matter and thus your resultant post. (???)
Now, you being an attorney, let me ask: Do you believe the Shank’s attorney did a good job in representing them?
Should he not have been aware of the wording in the WM policy that Shank had and its consequences? Do you believe their attorney is culpable of some errors and omissions of law? Thanks in advance for answering.
The Sage in
Friday, November 23 at 01:06 PM
“But They All Do It”
“Perhaps you need to check out the competition and find that they are no better...”
Your lame “argument” was covered a long time about by posters like matthew vantress, “Can’t believe what I am reading! in Detroit, CO.”
Maybe you should look into what’s meant by “The Race to the Bottom,” and what company is leading the charge!
ScrewedbyWal-Mart in Anytown, America
Friday, November 23 at 02:16 PM
To Can’t Believe: If this is such a ridiculous line of crap then why didn’t you just keep on surfing the web instead of adding your line of crap right in with it. You think this is all about the Shanks? WRONG. This is about Wal-Mart in general because they are as un-american as they could possibly get. Do you have a Wal-Mart in your town because if you do then your son is lucky to have a job because Wal-Mart has destroyed more small businesses than you could ever imagine. As for my arguments, I have made sense and I feel like that if you have never worked for Wal-Mart then you could never truly know what kind of company you are defending. Even those of us who have worked for Wal-Mart will never truly know all the details about how terrible this company really is. I don’t work for them anymore and I damn sure don’t shop there. I’m sure alot of you wouldn’t shop there if you saw how the merchandise is treated in the warehouse but I won’t even go into that because I would either be called a liar or one of the groupies would come up with some justification for Wal-Marts actions. Maybe K-Mart and every other retailer in this country is doing things that they shouldn’t but it will never compare with what Wal-Mart has and will do in the future. Wal-Mart has tried to come into my town and they have failed because the people here have fought it, most people here do not trust Wal-Mart and thats as it should be. Theres plenty of sites dedicated to Wal-Mart horror stories and maybe some of those are false but if you think that all of them are then you are only kidding yourself.
THE SAGE: When I spoke of your intelligence......well now wait, I never really spoke of your intelligence now did I? You wouldn’t be reading things out of context would you? It seems to me like you read alot of things out of context and turn them into something completely different so you can use your intelligence to defend something that wasn’t even said. I like your little remark...When I spoke of “my intelligence” it was not meant to be superior (or now, was it????)...You seem to always throw something in to make yourself superior. Like I said before, your money, intelligence, and your job will never make you superior. I also like this remark you made.....I put my trust in my Lord Jesus for all that I do, and also hope Ron Paul will be the next president....You feel so superior that you think its YOUR LORD JESUS, thats nice but I think its OUR LORD JESUS. I think you need to get over yourself because in every post its easy to see you are infatuated with yourself. By the way, think what you want but this was not an insult towards your intelligence or towards you as a person.......(or now, was it????)
JERRY: Well I’d first like to thank you for pleasuring us with the most ignorant post in this forum....THANK YOU. It was good for a laugh but thats about it. Its obvious you don’t read things clearly and you take things out of context. I guess unfortunately that I’m going to have to explain this again since you just can’t comprehend whats in plain english 3 or 4 times right in front of your face. I NEVER SAID ANYTHING ABOUT SAGE’S INTELLIGENCE OR WANTING TO SORT THINGS OUT. I SAID HE WAS IGNORANT TO WAL-MARTS WAYS AS MANY THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ARE. NOW TO CLARIFY THIS JERRY.....I MEAN WAL-MARTS VALUES, MORALS, UN-AMERICAN, AND UNETHICAL WAYS. I worked for Wal-Mart for 8 years, I know how they are. Now hopefully Jerry I put this simple enough that even you can understand it. As for this insurance deal with the Shank’s, every company probably would do the same thing but that doesn’t make it right in a human compassion kind of way. The guy had to divorce his wife just so she get medicaid come on now wheres the justice in that. This family is traumatized for the rest of their lives and all you can say is that Wal-Mart did the right thing. Thats what our society has come to and its pathetic. I’m sure OUR LORD JESUS will not take lightly this lack of human compassion.
Sick Of Wal-Mart in
Friday, November 23 at 02:19 PM
Are You One of Wal-Mart’s Attorney’s Mr. Wickert?”
You must be one of Wal-Mart’s attorneys that helped ram the Wal-Mart Supercenter down the throats of the residents of Hartford. How’s the construction coming along?
ScrewedbyWal-Mart in Anytown, America
Friday, November 23 at 02:22 PM
ScrewedbyWal-Mart: Your posts are are short but right to the point, keep up the good work.
For those of you who want to read “THE RACE TO THE BOTTOM” go here and check it out. http://www.commondreams.org/views04/0218-10.htm
Of course I know its a sure thing that the Wal-Mart groupies will defend them no matter how much wrong they do so I’m hoping they don’t visit that site because I really don’t want to hear their input on it.
Sick Of Wal-Mart in
Friday, November 23 at 02:27 PM
Sick Of Wal-Mart - Let’s see who is actually ignorant about walmart, you said:
“I worked for Wal-Mart for 8 years, I know how they are.”
You know how they are, but still worked there for 8 years, not 8 weeks or 8 months, but 8 YEARS, how IGNORANT is that, if they are so bad?
jerry in
Friday, November 23 at 08:30 PM
Well thanks so much for proving how ignorant you really are. I said if some of you worked there and got an injury or major illness you would see how Wal-Mart really is. Now if you can read clearly you will see that I worked there for 8 years BEFORE getting arthritis after which I got screwed over by the company. I heard alot of horror stories about Wal-Mart throughout that 8 years but I usually just let those go in one ear and out the other . I did know a few people who were involved with other cases involving sexual harrassment, rascism, and injury situations but those were things that I was informed of my last 2 years there. Like I said I never realized how bad it was until something happened to me. Now I’d like to thank you for the 2nd most ignorant post in this forum.....THANKS JERRY. Have a nice day.
Sick Of Wal-Mart in
Friday, November 23 at 08:42 PM
LMAO LMAO LMAO Thats some funny shit. Jerry you are a dumbass.
Wal-Mart Sux in
Friday, November 23 at 08:45 PM
Sick O Wal-Mart - “Now if you can read clearly you will see that I worked there for 8 years BEFORE getting arthritis after which I got screwed over by the company.”
So, for 8 years, you didn’t see how ‘bad’ the company was, right? Guess it takes you a long time to learn things.
“I heard alot of horror stories about Wal-Mart throughout that 8 years but I usually just let those go in one ear and out the other .”
Maybe that is because you have nothing between those ears to stop it. Besides, how exactly did you get ‘screwed over by the company’? You worked 8 years and thought things were fine, then, didn’t like something that happened to you and all of a sudden, walmart became ‘bad’, admit it.
jerry in
Friday, November 23 at 09:21 PM
OH MY GOD....This last post by Jerry may have actually topped the list of ignorance. I don’t have to admit anything moron and it doesn’t matter what I say anyway because you are not going to understand it due to your low mentality. Most people don’t believe everything they hear so why should I be any different? Was I suppose to believe everything that was said? You’re about one thing, I didn’t like something that happened to me....SO WHAT RETARD. Would you like to be treated like a piece of shit by a company you worked for for 8 years just because you arthritis? PROBABLY NOT!!!! How did I get screwed over by the company....THIS IS GREAT. I’m not going to explain it again, its already posted more than once, its not my fault if you can’t read it. Have whoever is reading you these comments to read them all to you slowly and explain them along the way so that MAYBE you might understand them and I stress the MAYBE. Its obvious you are very lacking in the common sense department Jerry. About anywhere you work, you are going to hear horror stories but you don’t always believe them until you have one of your own. Nothing you say makes sense at all and I feel like my IQ has gone down just by conversing with you. I don’t know who is letting you on the computer but I really wish they would stop because I’ve had enough laughs over this whole matter but now your posts are becoming too ignorant to even acknowledge. JERRY.....YOU ARE THE WEAKEST LINK.........GOODBYE.
Sick Of Wal-Mart in
Friday, November 23 at 09:46 PM
Damn this shit is great, you people should go on Jerry Springer LMAO
Wal-Mart Sux in
Friday, November 23 at 09:56 PM
Well Wal-Mart Sux I’m afraid that even the guests on the Jerry Springer show have a higher mentality than Jerry here. I was think more along the lines of the tv show AMERICAS DUMBEST CRIMINALS for Jerry because it has got to be a crime to post such ignorant remarks in any forum.
Sick Of Wal-Mart in
Friday, November 23 at 10:08 PM
Sick of WalMart in: That is just so dead-on funny !!As Ken V would say,"That’s a keeper”!!
ddrb in
Saturday, November 24 at 12:34 AM
Don’t let the likes of jerry run you off, Sick Of Wal-Mart. I, for one, think nothing spices up a Wal-Mart blog more than a disgruntled former employee.
If you worked for Wal-Mart in the recent past, your 8-year tenure straddled the change from Sam’s Dream to the <Beast of Bentonville</i>. I’d love to hear your war stories.
“The open-door policy, merit raises, and grass roots policies are nothing but myths in the Wal-mart religion. They are as real as our wonderful healthcare program, and Corporate’s fair work practices, and the tooth fairy. Maybe if enough of us speak up, the general consumer will realize we are not just complaining. If the Wal-mart empire is supposed to be one big happy family, then we are it’s stepchildren.” ~ Sylvia D’Angelo (9 yrs)
Ken V in Texas
Saturday, November 24 at 06:30 AM
Thanks Ken and ddrb its just nice to finally see some posts from people with a higher mentality than a rock. I hope Jerry is 12 years old, that would explain alot. So has anyone heard how Black Friday went for Wal-Mart? I saw several stores on the news with hundreds of people in line but Wal-Mart was not on there so hopefully their sales were at low this year. If anyone has info please share.
Sick Of Wal-Mart in
Saturday, November 24 at 07:27 AM
Sick Of Wal-Mart - “I don’t have to admit anything moron and it doesn’t matter what I say anyway because you are not going to understand it due to your low mentality.”
Low mentality, what kind of mentality does it take to WORK at a company for 8 years and not SEE what is going on there? Why did you think those ‘other’ people were complaining? You must have thought it was BS, or you would have listened to them.
“Was I suppose to believe everything that was said? “
But, you want us to believe everything YOU say, right, so if it was okay for you not to believe what they said, why is it ‘ignorant’ for us to not believe what you say?
“You’re about one thing, I didn’t like something that happened to me....SO WHAT RETARD.”
So, something happened that made you mad, everybody has things happen at work that make them mad, but just because YOU didn’t LIKE the outcome, doesn’t mean that walmart was wrong for doing what they did. As far as I know, walmart didn’t give you arthritis, so what should walmart have done, put you on injured reserve and pay you for the rest of your life? You are paid to do a job, if you can’t do it anymore, why do you think you should continue to get paid? If I work at a company and they lay me off permanently, should I say that they are a ‘bad’ company, because I no longer have a job there?
Some people tend to forget that walmart is a business and not a charity, but people with a welfare mentality, seem to think that a job is guaranteed for life, whether or not you are able to do the job or not. And, like it or not, when something in a business is no longer useful, it needs to be replaced. That may sound ‘cold’ when applied to human beings, but it is a reality when it comes to a business, because they can’t afford to support millions of EX employees, look what is happening at GM, to see what is happening with legacy costs to the company. If you are diabled and unable to work with your arthritis, see if SSI will help you out, that’s their job, not walmarts.
“I hope Jerry is 12 years old, that would explain alot.”
You sound more like a 12 year old, asking mommy and daddy (walmart) to take care of you, because you got sick.
jerry in
Saturday, November 24 at 10:22 AM
Jerry in : WHAT?? I didn’t know you believed in GOVERNMENT handouts,Jerry??What about all that personal responsibilty and bootstrap business? Now, wouldn’t that jack your jaws if your taxes went to poor ole Sick of WalMart?? I think there’s a REALdifference between a hand out and a hand up,unlike you, whatever name your using today is!BTW, you do pay taxes,don’t you,or, have you torn a page out of the W/M tax avoidance handbook and set up a REIT for your rental property?Hmmm?
ddrb in
Saturday, November 24 at 11:58 AM
Sick of WalMart: I hope you qualify for any and all benefits that you can! Jerry (aka RDS,Donald,etc.) has made personal responsibily and ambition his anthem for quite a while, now.The concept of “there but for the grace of God go I” hasn’t resonated fully with him,yet.Not only will he speak out of all sides of his multiples selves’ mouths,he’ll trying putting words in yours,too!Next time he tries that ..bite down..hard… real hard!!
ddrb in
Saturday, November 24 at 12:41 PM
Jerry is not rds.......figure it out, dispstick!
Ahhhh in
Saturday, November 24 at 01:33 PM
Ahhhh in: Ahhhh- ha ha ha-that’s a laugh! It would be far more correct to call me lipstick rather than by your own description---dipstick!
ddrb in
Saturday, November 24 at 01:51 PM
BTW: For further proof of who’s a “dipstick”,can’t you even SPELL the insult correctly? It’s D-I-P-S-T-I-C-K, you dipstick!
ddrb in
Saturday, November 24 at 02:03 PM
Nice ddrb, tell the dipsticks how it is or should I say DISPSTICKS. Hell I’m not even going to acknowledge Jerry, half of his comments are where he copied and pasted what others say. I guess he can’t come up with enough of his own words so he has to use everybody elses. If ignorance was a virtue, Jerry would be very gifted and he might even be the president of Wal-Mart because he definitely has plenty of ignorance. Its amusing how he says the same things over and over. He always ASSUMES he knows all the facts when in reality he is just another Wal-Mart ignorant groupie who wouldn’t believe the facts if GOD Himself was to explain them. Talking to people like Jerry is like beating a dead dog with a stick, its a waste of time. Jerry either works for Wal-Mart or just refuses to believe the truth, either way he is a total idiot. Maybe he is just one of those people who go around being an idiot on all the forums because he can’t get attention elsewhere. Whatever it may be its still funny how someone can be so moronic, its good for a laugh. Its obvious Jerry doesn’t read well or doesn’t take time to understand things clearly or he would know from an earlier post that I’m not disabled. I’ve worked since I was 12 years old and I deal with the arthritis the best I can. As for Wal-Mart taking care of me, that was spoken like only a moron like Jerry could put it. I never asked Wal-Mart to take care of me, I had to do physical therapy and I asked for light duty for a few weeks, now I’m sorry but I see absolutely nothing wrong with that. The doctor even wanted me on light duty but guess what, Wal-Mart wouldn’t have it......THATS SOME GREAT COMPANY. Theres plenty of jobs at Wal-Mart that could be given to employees that needed a less physical workload but hey maybe all companies should do it Jerrys way and just put the employees out to pasture. Jerry says people with a welfare mentality think a job is guaranteed for life but most people with a welfare mentality don’t even work so once again Jerry makes an ignorant statement, I think its becoming a trend. So it seems Jerry is a man of many words and many screen names but I think Jerry should just change his screen name to JOCKSTRAP because Wal-Mart is ran by a bunch of NUTS and Jerry supports them.
Sick Of Wal-Mart in
Saturday, November 24 at 03:56 PM
Sick of WalMart: You are an early, holiday gift to this blog!! A MOST unexpected and VERY welcome gift,might I add.Thank you,thank you,thank you!! (How about Jacques Strap?)
ddrb in
Saturday, November 24 at 04:23 PM
JACQUES STRAP....Oh My God that is classic, I only wish I had thought of it, thats great. One other thing that I should mention is Jerry Jacques Straps remarks about believing what I say. I don’t recall calling anyone ignorant for not believing what I say so thats just more proof that Jerry doesn’t read things clearly. I could care less if Jerry or anyone else believes me, my family and I know the truth so thats all that matters. Well the unemployment office knows the truth too because they caught Wal-Mart in a lie and I did get my unemployment for 6 months. Wal-Mart wanted to fight the unemployment but after being caught in a lie the case didn’t even go to court. If I was in this forum talking about how great Wal-Mart is you can bet that Jerry and all the other WM SUPPORTERS would believe everything I was saying. Its funny how they only believe the good things said about WM but refuse to believe that WM could do any wrong. Maybe Jerry should start his own organization for the defense of Wal-Mart. He could call it Jerry Jacques Strap and His Bag of Nuts.
Sick Of Wal-Mart in
Saturday, November 24 at 05:30 PM
Sick of WalMart: Thanks. Maybe something like Jerry Jacques Strap and His Sack of Wal-nuts??
ddrb in
Saturday, November 24 at 06:12 PM
Jerry is not rds.......figure it out, dispstick!
Ahhhh in
I see Nick is back
WallStreet in
Saturday, November 24 at 11:56 PM
Sick Of Wal-Mart - I never said that walmart was great and I know that they have problems there, but, when someone says something stupid, I respond. As far as things like light duty goes, most companies will not put people on light duty, unless the injury is work related, for injuries or illnesses non-work related, there is FMLA, that is what it was created for. Think what would happen, if they let you work on light duty and you ended up hurting yourself, they would then be liable and could be sued by you. Many people here, think that things walmart does are only done at walmart and no where else, but most things are standard practice at most companies, it’s legal things. Like denying unemployment, most companies do this. People take these things personally, but, the rules are in place to protect the company from people who would try to screw the company over. but, you can’t see this, because you only see YOUR side of the story.
By the way, you may notice that I didn’t call you a moron, idiot or retarded, I leave the name calling to your side.
jerry in
Sunday, November 25 at 12:43 AM
sick of walmart ive worked for numerous other places that treated their workers far worse than walamart has or has ever been accused of.im sick of one company getting picked on all the time when others that pay less like fast food and others that treat their people worse and no ever says shit about that or fusses the same as they do on walmart.are you telling me no other companie besides walmart has ever been accused of mistreating their workers?sorry i dont buy it.you are right jerry tthe same crap happens more often at sick of s favorite expensive other stores than walmart.
matthew vantress in gresham oregon
Sunday, November 25 at 05:53 AM
Jerry Jerry Jerry.....I’m astounded at how you seem to know so much about Wal-Mart yet you know absolutely nothing. FMLA and light duty are two different things and I don’t know how you can compare them. I was released by a doctor to work light duty which means Jerry that it was OK for me to work light duty. Are you telling me that if I got hurt on the job I could only sue the company if I was on light duty? Do you realize how hard it would be to sue for an injury at work just because I was on light duty when I was released by a doctor to work? I don’t know about most companies but you are way wrong on the light duty as far as WM goes. I worked with a lady who was on light duty because she fell off of a horse and another lady because of a car accident and guess what Jerry, neither of those accidents happened at WM. If you knew even half as much as you act like you know, you might actually make sense. As for FMLA, which of the following categories was it that I fit into Jerry since you know so much:
* for the birth and care of the newborn child of the employee;
* for placement with the employee of a son or daughter for adoption or foster care;
* to care for an immediate family member (spouse, child, or parent) with a serious health condition; or
* to take medical leave when the employee is unable to work because of a serious health condition.
Now remember I was released to work light duty so as you can (or should) see, none of those options worked for me. Also, 12 weeks is the limit for FMLA and I was off longer than that. That 12 weeks is unpaid and I have a family, I needed a paycheck. Did WM care.....hell no. It seems to me Jerry that all you are concerned with is the people that screw over the company.....WHAT ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO GET SCREWED OVER BY THE COMPANY????? You are right, most companies do fight workers getting unemployment because they don’t care about the workers. If someone gets laid off or fired, they still deserve unemployment especially if they have been on that job for a long period of time. Most people do have bills to pay and families to feed so I see absolutely nothing wrong with drawing unemployment if you have to. Like I said, WM lied to try and keep me from getting unemployment and they were caught in their lie but I guess thats ok too isn’t it Jerry?
Mattew your comment is right up there with Jerry’s on the ignorant list. HAVE YOU WORKED FOR WM? If not then how the hell could you know what I’m talking about? How the hell could you know the other places are worse? If you have worked so many different places then you must not be a good employee anyway, can’t you hold a job. Maybe you are just saying all the other places are worse because they have all fired you. If all the other places are worse then maybe you need to get off this forum and start your own up about the other places, nobody is stopping you. Theres lots of companies that have been accused of doing wrong but not near as much as WM so if you want to pick on a smaller company be my guest, myself I’d rather go after the big dog and especially since I know by experience how they are. This forum is about WM and its simple, if you don’t like it, don’t read it. I can’t actually believe you compared WM to fast food places, you do realize that some Wal-Mart warehouses have made over 1 billion dollars in one day don’t you? Now you show me a fast food place thats made that much in one day. How the hell can you make such a stupid comparison. After reading your comment a few times Matthew I’ve come to the conclusion that we have a new #1 most ignorant comment and.....DING DING DING, ITS YOURS.....congratulations. If you do decide to start your own forum to rant about the MANY places you have worked that are worse than WM may I suggest you use better grammar and spelling. For instance, its COMPANY....not....COMPANIE. Just a little constructive criticism Matthew, it looks like you are going to need it.
Sick Of Wal-Mart in
Sunday, November 25 at 07:59 AM
“you do realize that some Wal-Mart warehouses have made over 1 billion dollars in one day don’t you?”?????
mary in
Sunday, November 25 at 08:29 AM
APPLAUSE EVERYONE.......Mary has learned how to copy and paste. Thats very good Mary now just learn how to put things into your own words. The progress is moving right along though keep up the good work.
Sick Of Wal-Mart in
Sunday, November 25 at 09:22 AM
I have say Sick of Wal-Mart… you are your own worst enemy with some of the things you say. Just keep up the posts because you’re doing a great job for everyone to see.
mary in
Sunday, November 25 at 10:46 AM
Sick of WalMart: You can consider yourself officially “shill shocked”,now! Or, in Mary’s case,"shrill shocked”. However, I, and others no doubt agree,you’re doing a heck of a job,Sick of WalMart!!
ddrb in
Sunday, November 25 at 12:34 PM
P.S.:Another of the “WAL"-nuts....in Frere Jacques bag.
ddrb in
Sunday, November 25 at 12:37 PM
Thanks ddrb but we must give credit where credit is due. Mary is doing a fine job too......giving us all a laugh. She is definitely one of the Wal-Nuts. At least she didn’t copy and paste that last comment, she actually used her own words (or maybe someone told her what to say). Now if she could just learn to make sense but of course its hard to make sense when you have absolutely no idea what you are talking about. What would I know though because I’m my own worst enemy (can’t you tell by the things I say?). You know ddrb that line might be the #1 most senseless sentence made in this forum but hey Mary is at least trying to put things into her own words. I guess its one step at a time so maybe next she will actually make sense or at least lets hope so (I can only handle so much laughing at one time).
Sick Of Wal-Mart in
Sunday, November 25 at 03:26 PM
“"you do realize that some Wal-Mart warehouses have made over 1 billion dollars in one day don’t you?”
I have “no idea” what I’m talking about? MY statements were “senseless”? Wow, I never figured both you and ddrb to be that dumb. Do you ever read some of the stuff you say? That’s too funny. Yea I guess I have to agree with ddrb, you are doing a “heck of a job” Sick of.... just keep up the good work as your as-clueless sidekick backs you up.
mary in
Sunday, November 25 at 07:22 PM
mary i can feel the anger baby and i need you to know i am your cushion when you need to chill.your hotter than a car tailpipe and your just as rumbling.lookin at you mare.see ya latter gal friend.
student of matthew vantress in gresham oregon
Sunday, November 25 at 09:26 PM
Sick Of Wal-Mart - You write so many stupid things, that it is fully laughable, to read them.
No company is obligated to take a worker back that has been put on ‘light duty’, doctors excuse or not, if you can’t do your regular job, they can refuse to let you return to work. As for the class of FMLA you would fall under, the last one applies, because you are disabled enough to keep you from doing your REGULAR job. The ONLY time they are REQUIRED to give you ‘light duty’, is if you were hurt at work and they have a ‘light duty’ position they can put you on, without disrupting another employee, otherwise, they can put you on disability and pay you workman’s compensation.
You remind me of a guy I used to work with, I did something against my supervisor’s instructions and that guy told me I was going to get in trouble for it, I told him that Federal Law, said I didn’t have to do it, then the guy said, Federal Laws don’t apply here. Guess what, I didn’t get in trouble for not doing it. You think you know the laws, but the only laws you know, are the ones you make up or think they should be.
The reason mary thinks you are so funny, is because that comment about a warehouse making over $1 billion a day is a hoot, that’s because, WAREHOUSES DON"T MAKE MONEY, because they DON’T SELL ANYTHING, they just receive and ship material, the stores are the ones that make the money, warehouses are just an expense to the company. What a loser you are.
And, you call me stupid.
jerry in
Sunday, November 25 at 09:36 PM
Jerry once again you are so very wrong. Well I guess you have never worked for Wal-Mart, thats obvious. Wal-Mart has their own warehouses which are called Wal-Mart Distribution Centers and yes moron they do make money. You need to do research before you talk about something you have no clue about. These warehouses are located all over the world and Wal-Mart actually buys their merchandise from these warehouses. Research it loser because now you are really making yourself look ignorant. FMLA is for someone who CAN’T work dipshit, how hard is that for you to understand? You are so stupid its unreal, I can’t believe you would even post comments on any forum because I seriously doubt that you have enough itelligence to watch and understand Sesame Street. You damn sure DON’T know Wal-Mart so you are just flapping your jaws and hoping to get something right but it isn’t working. Like you admitted, you do things against the supervisors instructions which is probably why you can’t hold a job anyway. Telling me how Wal-Mart warehouses work is just complete stupidity on your part because I worked there, I know. You are nothing short of retarded and thats easy to see in your comments.
Mary you wrote the book on senseless and ignorant comments. At least you have a few students who are doing well in following you in DUMBASS COMMENTS 101. Do you work for Wal-Mart Mary? If you do, you know I’m 100% right about the warehouses. If you don’t then please stop playing know it all because you are so full of shit your eyes are brown. It seems like you have a little cyber buddy in Student of Matthew Vantress which is in all reality Matthew himself (we can tell by the typing Matthew). I just hope you two never hook up because you would make some really ignorant kids. For now Mary if any of us want your opinion we will just scrape it off Matthews zipper. Like they say, opinions are like assholes, everybodys got one, but your opinions are nothing but shit. Maybe you should move on to an internet sex site because it seems by Matthews comment you might just be a cyber slut anyways. One thing is clear, you are on this forum just to get attention and believe me as I’m sure you already know, being a complete and total moron will get you attention. Its getting old though, your comments are becoming too stupid to even reply to but I just can’t help myself. By the way, what site are you selling yourself on, I’d love to the looks that go with such ignorance?
Sick of Wal-Mart in
Sunday, November 25 at 10:38 PM
Wal-Mart Distribution Centers Capture $150 Million in Subsidies
Since the 1980s, Wal-Mart has received at least $150 million in local, state, and federal subsidies to build 47 distribution centers in 32 states, according to a study by The Palm Beach Post.
Only those subsidies that have been quantified in published reports were counted. “That number likely grows by tens of millions when unquantified breaks, such as government bond financing for construction, and ongoing breaks, such as those given to businesses in enterprise zones, are included,” the newspaper notes.
The Post only reviewed subsidies for distribution centers. It did not examine the hundreds of millions of dollars in tax breaks and incentives Wal-Mart has received for its retail stores.
Wal-Mart currently has 84 distribution centers in the U.S.. The retailer has been building new centers at a furious pace to support new stores and its expansion into groceries.
Wal-Mart generally expects to receive government assistance for new distribution facilities and sometimes plays neighboring towns against one another to get the best deals. The centers vary in size from about 400,000 square feet to well over 1 million. They employ anywhere from 150 to 1,000 people at wages of about $8-$10 an hour.
Among the biggest subsidies documented by the report: $17 million in state and local incentives for distribution center in Lewiston, Maine; a $9 million handout in Bartlesville, Oklahoma; and $8.9 million free land and tax credits provided in Macclenny, Florida.
Earlier this year, activists in Killingly, Connecticut, had to file a Freedom of Information Act request to make public the details of $46 million in state and local subsidies earmarked for a Wal-Mart distribution center. Public outcry led the Killingly zoning board to effectively kill the project by denying a request to rezone the property.
Such subsidies are rarely, if at all, made available to locally owned businesses and their distributors. This has given Wal-Mart an unfair advantage in the market. Moreover, there’s little to justify the subsidies from an economic development standpoint. While distribution centers may boost employment locally, these new jobs generally come at the expense of existing distribution jobs in the surrounding region. Dozens of supermarket distributors have gone out of business since Wal-Mart began selling groceries.
Read All About It in
Monday, November 26 at 07:01 AM
big deal a lot of high profile corporations have recived govt assistence to invest in areas.how come all the walmart haters never bitch about the other comapnies getting govt help?
matthew vantress in gresham oregon
Monday, November 26 at 08:08 AM
Matthew like I said before, why don’t you start your own forum and bitch about the othe