Walmart says it will continue legal fight after being ordered to pay SC woman $10M
Walmart said the company will continue its fight in court after a Florence County woman was awarded $10 millionfollowing a claim that she stepped on a rusty nail at one of the chain’s South Carolina stores, which resulted in an amputation.
April Jones filed a lawsuit in 2017, in which she said she stepped on a rusty nail while shopping at a Walmart store on Beltline Drive in Florence in 2015. The initial injury led to an infection, and her second toe had to be amputated. Three more toes on the same foot were later amputated. Doctors eventually had to amputate her leg above the knee, her lawsuit said.
“Walmart works hard to help ensure that all customers have a safe experience shopping in our stores,” Walmart said in an emailed statement. “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. We will be filing post-trial motions and considering our options.”
Jones won her case against Walmart late last month. Her attorneys said the money awarded to her by a jury would allow her to to buy a prosthetic, make handicap accessible additions to her home and cover her medical expenses stemming from the injury.
“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.”
