Walmart ordered to pay $10M to SC woman after she stepped on rusty nail in store
A Florence County jury awarded a woman $10 million after she stepped on a rusty nail at a Walmart which led to her losing most of her right leg.
In 2015, April Jones stepped on the nail in the main aisle of a Beltline Drive store in Florence and suffered a severe foot injury, according to a news release from Jones’ lawyers. It led to an infection, which eventually led to three amputation surgeries. She sued the big box chain in 2017.
The first amputation was the second toe. Later, three more toes were amputated, leaving only her big toe. The last amputation was right above her knee.
Jones has been in a wheelchair for three years, forcing her to rely on her grown children for assistance, according to her lawyers.
The monetary award will allow Jones to buy a prosthetic, make handicap accessible additions to her home and cover her medical expenses stemming from the injury, the Anastopoulo Law Firm, which represented Jones, said in a statement.
“The jury sent a message to Walmart that if you come into Florence County and injure one of their own, they will make sure that person is taken care (of),” said Roy Willey, one of Jones’ attorneys. “We are forever grateful.”
Walmart in a statement said it would be filing post-trial motions and considering its options.
“Walmart works hard to help ensure that all customers have a safe experience shopping in our stores,” Walmart said. “We appreciate the jury’s service, however we do not believe the verdict is supported by the evidence or that Ms. Jones’ injury resulted from what was alleged in her complaint.”
This story was originally published November 26, 2021 at 11:44 AM.
