A jury has awarded a woman $10 million for the injuries she sustained after stepping on a rusty nail.
Back in June of 2015, South Carolina native April Jones was injured while shopping at a branch of the store in Florence. Per The Washington Post, Jones says she was browsing near some pallets when she suddenly felt a sharp pain in her foot.
According to a lawsuit Jones filed in 2017, the shopper found a rusty nail pierced through her shoe and lodged in her foot.
Despite having the wound treated at a hospital, Jones sadly suffered an infection.
More on this story in the video below:During the five-day trial last week, the jury was told how the infection - which was not specified in court documents - led to Jones having her second toe on her right foot amputated. However, she would require three more toes being removed, before doctors eventually had to amputate her leg above the knee.
Per the New York Post, the lawyers representing Jones revealed that the mother now relies on her adult children after spending the last six years of her life using a wheelchair.
"Even in her own house, she has to be assisted getting into her own bedroom because her wheelchair won't fit through the door," attorney Brian Stellwag told WPDE.
Jurors eventually ruled in favor of Jones and she was awarded $10 million.
Stellwag admitted that he knew it would be a "battle" going up against a company like Walmart, but added this message: "Don't be afraid. Under American law, apparently corporations are people, and you've just got to think of it that way - it's person to person. And when a jury of your peers are listening to your case and when the outcome is for you, it's a huge statement."
Despite jury deciding in favor of Jones, attorneys for Walmart filed a motion last week asking for "judgment notwithstanding the jury’s verdict (“JNOV”); or, in the alternative, for a new trial absolute or a new trial."
In a statement to VT, a spokesperson for the company said in an email:
"Walmart works hard to help ensure that all customers have a safe experience shopping in our stores.
"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."
Nevertheless, Stellwag says he and his team will "fight" for Jones "on every appeal", adding: "Walmart is going to lose again."