The Shanks

Posted: Wednesday, April 30, 2008 8:39 PM by Countdown

In our third story on the Countdown tonight, we heard from Jim Shank.

His wife, Deborah, was grievously injured in a tractor-trailer crash in 2000, leaving her brain damaged and in need of 24 hour care. When Jim managed to win his wife a settlement from the tractor-trailer company, her former employer, Walmart, successfully sued the Shanks for the lot, claiming that their healthcare plan mandated reimbursement if there was a settlement.

It was only after Countdown - and dozens of other national news outlets - expressed outrage at Walmart's treatment of the Shanks, that the company agreed to withdraw their claim. That was back on April 1st. Yet Deborah Shank's trust fund is still in the company's name.

Walmart says they are trying to protect her from a tax standpoint and that's why it's taking so long. They say they hope to have the trust back in Deborah Shank's name soon.

If you are interested in helping the Shanks, Jim pointed us to this website, which sells merchandise to raise money for Mrs. Shank's ongoing health care.

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Comments

Hello Keith, I love your show and watch every night. Thank you for keeping this story alive and I will not spend one nickel at wal mart until I hear on your show that the Shanks have received their money back. Your the best news show on TV.

Richard McGinnis, West Bath, Maine (Sent Wednesday, April 30, 2008 9:09 PM)

Can we set up a donation site to help this family? I would prefer to send the money to them directly in order to provide the most help possible. My heart breaks for all that they have been through. This is why we need healthcare in this country!!

Suzanne Wheaton IL (Sent Wednesday, April 30, 2008 9:11 PM)

Medicare, our government, does exactly the same thing as the Wal-Mart insurer did to the Shanks. Please check it out. Medicare expects, dare I say demands, reimbursement from proceeds of an insured's lawsuit. Why have insurance?

Jim Estep (Sent Wednesday, April 30, 2008 11:07 PM)

The Chief of Wal-Mart is outright lying!

To the best of my knowledge insurance payments received for a accidents victims future medical care & pain and suffering are not taxable!!!

Shame shame shame on Wal-Mart for their GREED!!!

Jen F. Usher (Sent Thursday, May 01, 2008 3:24 PM)

And shame on WalMart for their disgraceful, mealy-mouthed, weaselly dissembling. Reports on NPR say that as many as four thousand retail stores nationwide will close this year. May they all be WalMarts.

William M. Brown, San Francisco, California (Sent Friday, May 02, 2008 5:23 PM)

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