$17M Award for Woman Injured at Walmart OK’d by W. Virginia High Court

The West Virginia Supreme Court has affirmed a jury verdict of nearly $17 million for a woman who was injured when Walmart staffers tried to detain a shoplifter.

The court rejected the retail giant’s appeal on Nov. 19.

A lawyer for Diane Ankrom, 53, said employees were trying to detain a shoplifter last year when he ran into Ankrom’s shopping cart, which was carrying her granddaughter. Ankrom fell to the ground with the cart falling on top of her.

Ankrom’s lawyers said she has had multiple surgeries and has been admitted to the hospital more than 20 times.