Wal-Mart May Face Massive Class Action Suit in Trial
Even the residents here in Tennessee know about Wal-mart and all of their success. Many of us also know about the problems they have faced over employee issues and much more. So, this new story may not come as much of shock to many across the country and here in Tennessee.
Wal-Mart may owe billions in legal damages due to a divided federal courting in San Francisco that ruled on Monday April 26, 2010, a massive class action suit which alleges gender discrimination over pay for female workers. In the 6-5 ruling the 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals said that the world’s largest private employer will have to face charges in trial that allege that it pays women less than men for the same jobs and that the female employees get fewer promotions and have to wait longer for these promotions than male employees.
Wal-Mart has tried to fight this lawsuit since it was first filed in federal court in San Francisco in 2001. It lost two previous rulings in trial court and appeals court in 2007. Wal-Mart was able to convince the appeals court to revisit the case in 2007 with a larger eleven judge panel. They argued that women who allege discrimination should file individual lawsuits. They also argued that the case was too big to defend.
“In this case six women who have worked in thirteen Wal-mart’s 3,400 seek to represent every woman who has worked in those stores over the course of the last decade- a class estimated in 2001 to include more than 1.5 million women.”
The appeals court told the trial judge to reconsider awarding punitive damages as well.
We all know that over the years, Wal-Mart has faced several similar allegations and problems and maybe now their employment practices will finally improve.
Cases like these unfortunately happen every day, even to the residents of Tennessee. If you or a loved one has been a victim of discrimination in the workplace or have other workplace concerns or questions, please contact a Tennessee Employment Attorney right away. We will help get your case heard and make sure you get the care you deserve. Contact us online or call us at 800-705-2121 to set up a FREE consultation
Author Bio
Jim Higgins, founder of the Higgins Firm, is a seasoned personal injury attorney with deep roots in Nashville, Tennessee. A 4th generation Nashvillian, Jim carries on the legal legacy of his father, a judge for over 30 years. After graduating from the University of Memphis School of Law, Jim’s career began on the other side of the courtroom, defending insurance companies and learning their tactics for minimizing settlements. However, he soon realized his true calling was fighting for the rights of the injured, and for the past several years, he has exclusively represented plaintiffs in personal injury cases.
Since then, his dedication and skill have earned him membership in the prestigious Million Dollar Advocates Forum, an organization limited to attorneys who have secured million and multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for their clients. Licensed to practice in Tennessee, Kentucky, and Georgia, Jim focuses on personal injury, product liability, medical malpractice, and workers’ compensation cases. His exceptional work has been recognized by his peers, earning him a spot on the Super Lawyers list from 2021 to 2024, a distinction awarded to only a select group of accomplished attorneys in each state.
