03.30.08
Latest on Deborah Shank Wal-Mart Story
This blog gotten a lot of traffic and comments about our post “Walmart Sues Disabled Woman For Long-Term Care Money” — apparently a link was posted to this recent story on AOL News:
“The family’s situation is so dire that last year Jim Shank divorced Debbie, so she could receive more money from Medicaid.
Jim Shank, 54, is recovering from prostate cancer, works two jobs and struggles to pay the bills. He’s afraid he won’t be able to send their youngest son to college and pay for his and Debbie’s care.
“Who needs the money more? A disabled lady in a wheelchair with no future, whatsoever, or does Wal-Mart need $90 billion, plus $200,000?” he asked.”
I think it’s great that so many people care about this story. Let’s keep blogging about it, and sharing it with our friends until Wal-Mart decides to do the right thing. I hope this makes the national news. It really says a lot about the power of “new media” to reach people with stories that matter.
And, no, I won’t be shopping at Wal-Mart anytime soon either.
UPDATE ON THIS STORY (4/3/2008) HERE
Link (to “Wal-Mart Sues Disabled Ex-Employee” on AOL News)
pvdugas said,
March 30, 2008 at 5:41 am
Not only will I not be shopping at WalMart, I will also not be renewing my business Sam’s Club’s membership next month. It’s time to cripple WalMart and the only way to do that is – THROUGH THEIR POCKETS! Stop supporting a company that does so much evilness.
oliveblossom44 said,
March 30, 2008 at 7:28 am
I worked for a bank for 25 years. I was in several car accidents while I worked there. I used my medical insurance because coverage was needed at the time of the accident. The bank always recouped their money and it was not part of my settlement. It was their own settlement with the person or the person’s insurance company that caused the accident. Why is this not the case here?
marty said,
March 30, 2008 at 8:00 am
This is so unbelievable to me. I won’t shop walmart anymore. I was already outraged by all the imports, especially when their campagn a few years back was Made in America, or something along those lines. Shame on Walmart stockholders for not having any human compassion. I bet Sam Walton is rolling over in his grave!
Helen said,
March 30, 2008 at 8:05 am
The actions of Wal-Mart in this case are unforgivable. I agree to stop shopping there and have cancelled my Sam’s Club membership. This is one of the saddest stories of the times we live in. Shame on you Wal-Mart! Is it possible to set up an account for the Shank’s that the caring people can contribute to? Even $1 or $5 would make a huge difference in the Shank’s lives. I’m disabled also and having hard times, but not nearly as hard as the Shank’s. God Bless the Shank’s and all of you out there who care!
davd pilgrim said,
March 30, 2008 at 8:08 am
we are contacting all our friends and family members and intend to form a net work that will ask each family who has someone disabled in it to stop using wallmart we may even attempt to get protest on sat and sundays in various locations around the country. we need bumper stickers and flyers posted all over each entrance to wallmart informing shopers what wallmart means to the disabled familes of america. Gread beyond belief
Marie said,
March 30, 2008 at 8:13 am
We can all boycott Walmart, they wont even notice. I was never a fan of Walmart, nor have I shopped there more than five times in my life. The quality of there merchandise is quite similar to the quality of their morals, the way they treat their employees, etc etc etc. What really needs to be done is for everyone to help the Shank family. What good is it if we stop shopping at Walmart and go to Target instead? Maybe we curb some of our spending and send it to the Shank family? I’ve yet to see anything about sending these people financial assistance. If anyone knows where to send dontations, please post it on this site. The internet is powerful, lets expand engergy on helping this family.
lisa putnam said,
March 30, 2008 at 8:30 am
recently at a family reunion our familes figured out what we spend at walmart and other stores and discover between all 12 families we are spending over 12,000 a month. i think a boycot of the store at least until walmart undoes this evil should be done i to will call the other families and inform them of this story we all work too much to keep up with every evil doing of businesses i guess it is important that we share information.
CUB said,
March 30, 2008 at 9:00 am
First, they had a lousy lawyer. The proper course would have been to file a crossclaim against the trucking company. That company caused the suffering and Walmart, as well as the Shanks, was damaged by making the payments.
The second point is that I quite agree with oliveblossom44 that another problem is the clause in the health contract itself. The only reason I can think of is that the company self-insures rather than turn it over to an insurance company or simply offer several plans, as most compan ies would do. Had Walmart done so, it could have avoided this public morass in which it finds itself.
Third, since the damage is now done, would it not be nice if Walmart, in its largess, used the money to set up its own trust for Mrs. Shank, if not for her condition, then as a patroiotic gesture, thus making it unique and not available to other Walmart employees.
I suspect that neither party had very creative lawyers to help.
Linda said,
March 30, 2008 at 9:09 am
WOW….this is one of the most heart-less stories I’ve heard lately. I think it is horrible that Wal-Mart would take away the money that Debbie S. needs to live the rest of her life on. Shame on them big time…..I’m sure they can make due with $90 billion profit. I will never ship Wal-Mart again since hearing how heartless they treat their employees. NEVER!!!!!
maddie said,
March 30, 2008 at 9:11 am
I AM ENRAGED. Does it get any worse than this!…. The Enrons, the mortgage nonsense, Our sick politicians and their rediculous excesses, and a giant like Walmart trying to take advantage of Debbie Shanks..THIS FAMILY LOST A SON IN THE WAR .What a sad, sad situation. If it wasnt so sad it would almost be laughable. When is America going to STAND UP and say NO! STOP! ALL THE MADNESS. We keep working and paying and buying and they keep taking and taking and taking advantage.. Its time we all TOOK ACTION to end these injustices. I will never set foot in a Walmart again and i will make sure i tell my friends, family and neighbors about this story…..in the mean time, I Will pray for the Shanks,
Paul said,
March 30, 2008 at 9:22 am
I perhaps am a little biased but still amazed at what huge corporations pull over on the American Citizens. This story doesn’t shock me, I’m sure there are many more like it. I own a small business in a town of 9,000. I’ve never spent a dime in Wal-mart, nor will I. I perfer to support other small local business that support me and my community. You might at first think it costs more to shop local, but in the long run think what it’ll cost when the locally owned business are gone and don’t pay property tax – and the list goes on & on! I buy shoes at the locally owned shoe store cause his business contributes to the Chamber of Commerce. I buy groceries from the local food guy cause he sponsors and coaches in little league. And sure Wal-mart gives back to the community, NOT NEAR enough, compared to$$ that it hauls out to Arkansas and China every hour. AH yes- buy American, Wal-mart has done more to wreck the American economy than anyone else. Heck our local Wal-mart mgr doesn’t even live in our town. Sure I’m biased, but so are those who own Wal-mart stock. Lifes too short to get lost in the big box stores. I’d rather enjoy it, have fun and shop with my neighbors.
Anita Cowger said,
March 30, 2008 at 9:25 am
I have not shopped at Walmart or Sams club in years
thats when the first big push was on to sell none American made products
out of Greed ! Now I hope everyone knows just how greedy
they are and I hope more People take action . The Clause in the Health contract should be taken out and the Lawyer took to much
in legal Fees and he should return some of that Moneyto the Shanks after all the Mann has prostate cancer and he is working 2 Jobs .
This is sad and outragous !!
Barb said,
March 30, 2008 at 9:32 am
This is a terrible thing that happened to this lady and even worse to her family. I know that Walmart would do anything and everything they could to help them.The blame is not being put where it should be.Does ANYONE know that Walmart does not have their own insurance company? HELLO!!!!!! Blue cross-blue shield!!!!!!!!! Does anyone realize that Walmart HAS to have lawyers. I know many employees and customers who are able to feed their families and obtain “things” because of Walmart. Walmart started the $4 RX. NOTHING is EVER said about the good the company does. The safety standards they set for their supplies to meet this February. Fighting the drug companies and suppliers for lower costs for WHO? What other company has a 3 month 100% paid leave of absence? Do YOU insure your family(of four) for $34 a month.I am a small business owner and believe in small business. I also believe in getting the facts before judging anyone or anything-otherwise that would be ignorant wouldn’t it? People don’t know that the union is the cause of most of this BAD publicity because they are UNABLE to get into the company.
Carol Preston said,
March 30, 2008 at 9:35 am
I worked for Wal-Mart for five years and all the underhanded practices did me where they are concerned. They where so afraid of the union that they had special meetings with us to make us believe that it was in our best interest that if we ever saw anyone enter the store talking about unions that we must get management right away. If we ever saw any pictures being taken we where to do the same thing. If a person under the age of 18 worked the floors that by no means should they ever work over 4 hours without a break; but others over 18 could work 8 hours without any breaks.One lady 64 years of age was told that if she did not change from the 2 to 11 shift and go to the 11 to 7am shift she would not be working there any longer. She had worked there 7 years on the 2 to 11 shift and also had a ill husband whom needed her with him at night, so she could not work later than 11pm. I have seen one lady lose her baby she was pregnant with because they did not give her a break.I have seen them let handicapped people go and hire illegial aliens to do their jobs who could not speak a work of English. They forced one of the best managers we ever had to step down to assistant manager; because he was helping us out and not the company or so they saw it like that. It makes me mad when I hear about how much they say they are doing for the towns when they move into a new location. Then when I see what they are doing to someone who cannot even defend themselfs or their family it only rubs it in even more.
Jim P said,
March 30, 2008 at 9:52 am
WHAT IS NEEDED IS FOR SOMEONE TO SET UP A LEGAL TAX FREE FUND-RAISER TO BE PLACED IN A TRUST FOR THE SHANK FAMILY ITS TIME TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN SOMEONE’S LIFE.
nick said,
March 30, 2008 at 12:50 pm
I also agree that Wal-Mart is a big corp and shouldn’t worry about 200,000. But i live in Jackson MO. I’ve met Jim Shank. I do not believe that he is using the money to help his wife. I feel very sorry for Debbie. Her husband is not all that you think. I know for a fact that he had a girlfriend, not that much of a loving husband. That’s why he wanted a divorce not to help Debbie. I wish they would leave someone else in charge, not him.
U said,
March 30, 2008 at 8:38 pm
It is wrong for walmart to have a clause like this in the insurance contract. I am sure money was taken out of her payckeck to pay for this insurance. As with many other insurances one pays on top when something happens that is not right but all insurances screw you not just walmarts. This clause should be taken out and Debby should be able to keep her money. There is no justice in this countyr anymore
dori holmes said,
March 31, 2008 at 12:25 am
The greed of this company is unbelievable. As a consumer I will no longer shop this company for anything.
The money this poor lady received is not even enough to maintain a decent life for her and a company that makes so much money every year should show some compassion for this former employee. If it is a legal situation, I believe there are many other ways for the company to find to help her . Walmart claims they give so much back to the communities they are in ,including charities , why not take up a collection from the management ( hourly employees are under paid by the company) or have the Walton family put up a trust for this poor women which would show compassion, they surely can afford it.
I know Sam Walton if he was still alive would find a way to do this.
WERE THERE IS A WILL THERE IS A WAY.
Not one more money out of me to help your bottom line. Sham on you Walmart.A
Patsy said,
March 31, 2008 at 2:47 am
More than my disgust for Walmart is my overwhelming need to help the Shank family. Her husband is an honorable man for doing everything he has done to help her. In addition her son gave his life for our country while fighting in Iraq. Because we know Walmart is lower than the dirt we walk on for numerous reasons isn’t there a way we can help the Shank’s without expecting them to step up to the plate. There has to be a site some where that had been set up for the Shank’s. Any idea?
G.O. said,
March 31, 2008 at 3:33 am
This family had a horrible lawyer in Maurice Graham, if all they got was a million dollars. That lawyer took over $500,000 dollars for what…a slam dunk case where papers and filings and court dates might have averaged to around 11/2 years total of work (motions and filings that usually last less than an hour at a pop over a period of months). This lawyer could have gotten twice that amount if he had been better and knowing there was a clause in the Walmart benefits policy he should have pushed for a lot more money. No, he wanted to settle, knowing HE would do very well for himself without complicating things. Walmart shows no “goodwill” by trying to recoup their losses and their excuse is lame…how often does something like this happen to their employees? Settlements of this nature should be “protected” from greedy bloodsucking clauses like this. I had to take care of my elderly ill aunt…she wasn’t even in as bad a shape as Debbie, but her total costs were around 10,000 dollars a month in her own home and that was even at a discount and with me doing a lot of the work myself for no pay. I had to have around the clock caregivers, medications etc etc..they had health insurance who not surprisingly didn’t cover so many things and yet they were still paying extremely high premiums…the whole insurance industry is little more than a scam. I’m not sure I would trust Debbie Shanks husband entirely here…I’d have to know more about him and as one poster said he may have other agendas. I wouldn’t want this to turn out to be like another Terry Shiavo case. I’m not seeing anywhere where WE CAN DONATE TO DEBBIE SHANKS – DOES ANYONE KNOW?? There should be a “fiduciary” involved or a church or someone other than a husband (if his motives are questionable) to gather donations set aside for her care and some to help him pay household bills. These people have been through more than enough…and have lost a young man, only 18 years old in Iraq. Life couldn’t be any crueller.
Jay R. Thacher said,
April 1, 2008 at 11:48 am
I first heard of this story on MSNBS’s Countdown with Keith Olbermann last Thursday night. Wal-mart was named, that night, as one of the worse person’s in the world for this story of Deborah Shank. Last night, Countdown’s 5th Anniversary, Olbermann gave Wal-mart the Bronze Worse Person in the World and he would bring this story up everynight on his show until Wal-mart resolves this matter. More from MSNBC at:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/?q=deborah+shank&search=search+site&submit=Search&id=11881780&FORM=MSNBC&os=0&gs=1&p=1&adunitid=939&propertyid=3501
Wal-mart can be contacted at the following Corporate address and phone numbers:
702 SW 8th St.
Bentonville AR 72716
Fax (479) 277-1830
Corp. (479) 273-4000
I have faxed them one letter and plan on sending/faxing them a daily letter until they resolve this.
Richard said,
April 1, 2008 at 8:49 pm
Why doesn’t the attorney for the family give back some of his fees?????
melinda said,
April 2, 2008 at 5:10 am
It isn’t until you have recovered monies, that anyone will advise you that this was always part of your health benefits. How many of us know whether this could happen to us. The good thing is that Debby is unware of the issues. I think we need to make a bigger effort to stop companies from Walmart with getting away with these fees. She will now be the responsibility of local, state and federal health cost. The nation itself can not afford what is bears, and yet companies like Walmart benefit from large tax breaks. It could have taken the money in one hand and handed it back as a donation to compensate the loss the family has suffer. It is extremely sad. I will not shop at Walmart anymore, and make those around me aware of why.
james lieurance said,
April 2, 2008 at 5:11 am
ONE MILLION CANDLE CAMPAIGN FOR THE SHANK FAMILY
Hi, my name is Ted May and I, like so many other people that saw this incredible story on CNN, became extremely angry about what has, and is, happening to this wonderful family. Keith Olbermann has declared Wal-Mart his “Worst Person in the World” and has subsequently named Wal-Mart to his “Worst Persons” list every night since. My anger then turned to sadness and I became determined to do something to help this family.
Debbie Shank, a 52-year old former Wal-Mart employee and mother of a soldier killed in Iraq, suffered serious brain damage after getting hit by a truck and was subsequently sued by Wal-Mart to recover $470,000 in medical expenses it paid out in benefits through its self insured employee benefits program. (Shank had won a settlement from the trucking company and, after legal fees, took home only $417,000).
The tragic accident has left DEBBIE SHANK with brain damage and bound her to a wheel chair for the rest of her life. Her husband JIM SHANK is also battling prostate cancer and now all the stress and disbelief over the Wal-Mart issue.
To add insult to injury, their 18 yr old son JEREMY SHANK died fighting for his country in Iraq just 8 days after this judgment was ordered. He died so I and all Americans can enjoy the freedoms this great country has to offer. JEREMY SHANK is a TRUE AMERICAN HERO.
This family has endured, sacrificed, and given so much, more than any family should have to. This family has made the ultimate sacrifice in losing a son.
I contacted Jim Shank and told him that my company wanted to help raise money for his family and as expected, he was very gracious and appreciative. I then contacted my business partners, James Lieurance and Ellie Kaupp and we immediately started putting a plan together to help this family.
THE ONE MILLION CANDLE CAMPAIGN FOR THE SHANK FAMILY.
We have set up a special on-line store just for this family, so that you can go to and order the all natural gourmet candle products of your choice and our company will donate TWO THIRDS of the profits to the Deborah Shank Fund.
Just click on the link here to help this family!
hope4shank.com
Sometimes it takes a story like this, to remind us, that as Americans, we must unite as one, to help our brothers and sisters in need. This family has given so much and it’s our turn to give back now.
james lieurance said,
April 2, 2008 at 8:43 am
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DREAM MAKERS, LLC launches the CAMPAIGN OF HOPE FOR THE SHANK FAMILY
This a unique campaign to raise money for the Shank family that is losing their life savings because of a law suit brought against them by the giant retailer Wal-Mart.
Chattanooga, TN (April 1, 2008) Most of the world has either seen or heard on CNN or most of the wire services, about how multi-billion dollar retailer Wal-Mart has sued a disabled Ex-Employee for the monies awarded her from a lawsuit. Debbie Shank, 52 suffered severe brain damage after a traffic accident in 2000. The Wal-Mart employee received about $470,000.00 from the retailer’s health plan for medical expenses, but the company has sued to get the payout back. Wal-Mart has won the suit, thereby wiping out there entire savings. During this time, Jim Shank was diagnosed with prostate cancer and their son Jeremy Shank was killed while fighting for his country in Iraq. Ted May states,” This family has endured, made the ultimate sacrifice and given so much, now it’s our turn to give back and help this family.”
Dream Makers, LLC has put together a campaign to raise money for this family. Ted May and James Lieurance founders of Dream Makers have put together something really unique and dramatic. They have set up a special website http://www.Hope4Shank.com where people can go on-line and order a candle or any of the products in the entire store. What is unprecedented about this from a corporate standpoint is that Dream Makers, LLC will donate Two Thirds; yes that’s Two Thirds of all retail profits to the Deborah Shank Fund.
Why do we do this? It’s simple said May,” I believe there comes a time in everyone’s life, where you have to be willing to step up to the plate, put it all on the line and do something that will have a positive impact on society. In this case, helping a family that has and is still going through more than any family should have to endure.” Jackie Robinson once said,” A life is not important, except for the impact it has on other lives.”
It is our hope that everyone that hears about this story will go to our website, (www.Hope4Shank) and order a candle. The one thing that this family really needs is money. This is a great way to help get this family back on track.
Our mission is to turn a very tragic, negative story into a positive, inspirational, success story!!!
CONTACT:
Ted Williams May
(423)304-8523
james lieurance said,
April 2, 2008 at 10:57 pm
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Update 4/01/2008 4pm)
Thanks to the media attention of CNN, MSNBC-Keith Olbermann, all of the wire services that picked up this story and the Wal-Mart employees that called upon CEO, Lee Scott, as well as public pressure on Wal-Mart, to do the right thing, Wal-Mart has announced today 4/01/2008, that it will not pursue collection of the previously paid out medical expenses, but there are still hundreds of thousands of dollars in unpaid hospital and doctors bills that need to be paid. So the campaign still goes on to help this family in need!
DREAM MAKERS, LLC launches the CAMPAIGN OF HOPE FOR THE SHANK FAMILY
This a unique campaign to raise money for the Shank family that is losing their life savings because of a law suit brought against them by the giant retailer Wal-Mart.
Chattanooga, TN (April 1, 2008) Most of the world has either seen or heard on CNN or most of the wire services, about how multi-billion dollar retailer Wal-Mart has sued a disabled Ex-Employee for the monies awarded her from a lawsuit. Debbie Shank, 52 suffered severe brain damage after a traffic accident in 2000. The Wal-Mart employee received about $470,000.00 from the retailer’s health plan for medical expenses, but the company has sued to get the payout back. Wal-Mart has won the suit, thereby wiping out there entire savings. During this time, Jim Shank was diagnosed with prostate cancer and their son Jeremy Shank was killed while fighting for his country in Iraq. Ted May states,” This family has endured, made the ultimate sacrifice and given so much, now it’s our turn to give back and help this family.”
Dream Makers, LLC has put together a campaign to raise money for this family. Ted May and James Lieurance founders of Dream Makers have put together something really unique and dramatic. They have set up a special website http://www.Hope4Shank.com where people can go on-line and order a candle or any of the products in the entire store. What is unprecedented about this from a corporate standpoint is that Dream Makers, LLC will donate Two Thirds; yes that’s Two Thirds of all retail profits to the Deborah Shank Fund.
Why do we do this? It’s simple said May,” I believe there comes a time in everyone’s life, where you have to be willing to step up to the plate, put it all on the line and do something that will have a positive impact on society. In this case, helping a family that has and is still going through more than any family should have to endure.” Jackie Robinson once said,” A life is not important, except for the impact it has on other lives.”
It is our hope that everyone that hears about this story will go to our website, (www.Hope4Shank) and order a candle. The one thing that this family really needs is money. This is a great way to help get this family back on track.
Our mission is to turn a very tragic, negative story into a positive, inspirational, success story!!!
CONTACT:
Ted Williams May
(423)304-8523
Bloggers, Media Attention Force Wal-Mart To Change Its Mind « Spiddlement said,
April 3, 2008 at 12:46 pm
[...] Thanks, everyone for all your comments and links to our last post about this story. [...]