Democratic and Liberal political analysis and commentary

In an unbelievably ballsy move (even for this corporate behemoth), Wal-Mart has decided to go after the modest trust fund of a permanently disabled former employee, injured in a car accident:

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

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

Wal-Mart had paid out about $470,000 for Shank's medical expenses and later sued for the same amount. However, the court ruled it can only recoup what is left in the family's trust.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jim Shank had to divorce his wife so that Medicaid could pay more of Debbie's bills. So, Wal-Mart could have left their money alone, walked away and allowed the trucking company to pay the bills, but now guess who's paying them? Yep, You and I. Tell you what. I won't complain one bit about paying my share of Debbie's bill, I wish I could earmark every tax dollar in my whole paycheck for her. But Wal-Mart will use that money to guarantee that they have another record quarter. Bastards.