Family of Joplin tornado victim sues Wal-Mart
Posted: September 17, 2012 at 2:34 p.m.
Cars are piled up in front of the Wal-Mart off South Range Line Road Monday, May 23, 2011 after a tornado tore through Joplin, MO Sunday evening.
JOPLIN, Mo. — The wife and daughter of a man killed inside a Wal-Mart store when a massive tornado hit Joplin have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the company.
The Joplin Globe reported that the suit against Wal-Mart Stores Inc. was transferred Friday to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri. It initially was filed in Jasper County Circuit Court.
The suit alleges Stanley Kirk, a 62-year-old aircraft engine technician, wasn’t allowed to leave the store and was directed to “an unsafe/improper location.” Court records said Kirk lived only three miles away, “or a seven-minute drive,” in an area that was not hit by the May 22, 2011, tornado. Of the 161 people killed, at least three died in the Wal-Mart.
The lawsuit also claims that the store was “not constructed properly” given its location in an area at risk of violent storms and tornadoes.
Kirk’s wife, Janice, and his daughter, Jodelle, are seeking an unspecified amount in damages. Their lawsuit cites pain and suffering, the loss of Kirk’s income, and funeral and medical expenses.
Wal-Mart spokesman Randy Hargrove said in a written statement that the Bentonville, Ark.-based company stands behind its employees and how they handled the disaster.
“We extend our deepest sympathy to Mr. Kirk’s family,” the statement said. “This was a horrible tragedy for Joplin. Wal-Mart is committed to this community, and we have worked hard to help rebuild after this tragic event. We have protocols in place for severe weather, and the safety plan our associates implemented helped save lives. “
A store manager also was named in the suit, but he said in a court filing that he wasn’t working the night of the tornado.
(Advertisement)
« Previous Story
Louisiana State evacuates following bomb thre...
Thousands of students, professors and workers were being evacuated from Louisiana State University’s main campus Monday following a bomb threat, school officials said. Read »
Next Story »
Wilson clearing mind, air
Tyler Wilson was told by Arkansas’ team doctors and concussion specialists he could not play before last week’... Read »
Comments
To report abuse or misuse of this area please hit the "Suggest Removal" link in the comment to alert our online managers. Please read our comment policy.
its really sad that people choose to sue when a huge disaster hit the area. sad
Posted by: suek
September 17, 2012 at 10:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Registration is required to make comments. Click here to LOGIN.
You can register for FREE to post comments and receive alerts.