Premier South Carolina Law Firm Secures $10 Million Dollar Verdict for Amputee

Firm Secures $10 Million Dollar Verdict for Amputee
Florence, SC resident, April Jones, suffered a severe foot injury at the Beltline Drive Walmart that resulted in multiple amputations, including a loss of her right leg above the knee. A Florence County jury awarded Ms. Jones $10 million for her pain & suffering and past & future medical expenses.

CHARLESTON, SC / NOVEMBER 25, 2021 — Anastopoulo Law Firm trial lawyers led by Roy T. Willey IV, Lane Jefferies, and Eric Poulin arrived at the Florence County Courthouse Monday morning to represent their client, April Jones, against Walmart and its statewide counsel.

Jones was injured by a rusty nail in the main aisle of the store on June 26, 2015. The initial injury resulted in an infection, subsequent surgery, and eventually three separate amputations, leaving Ms. Jones without most of her leg. She has been wheelchair-bound for 6 years and her daily life was significantly interrupted as she lived alone and independently prior to the incident.

The $10 million verdict will afford Jones the ability to purchase prosthetic, handicap-accessible addition to her home, and cover her medical expenses stemming from the injury.

The weakness of Walmart’s case, among other things, was their failure to produce a video that they claim showed their conforming behavior to a company policy calling for employees to perform regular safety sweeps. No such evidence was presented for the duration of the five-day-long trial. The jury deliberated for  100 minutes before returning the $10 million verdict.

The Anastopoulo trial team lead by Roy Willey IV, Lane Jefferies, and Eric Poulin played a ferocious game of tug-of-war throughout the week, arguing sound theories of premises liability, to establish Walmart’s ultimate fault for the injuries April Jones sustained in their store.

Roy T. Willey IV                                                               Lane Jefferies

Trial counsel Roy T. Willey IV, said “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. We are forever grateful.”

Notable milestones:

• April Jones testified from 10 am to 4:30 pm on the third day of trial.
• Walmart’s expert testified on cross-examination that the nail was the cause of injury.
• Jury deliberated for 100 minutes before returning with a $10 million verdict.

Anastopoulo Law Firm is headquartered in South Carolina with offices throughout the region. The firm is led by Akim Anastopoulo. Akim has over 25 years of legal experience and has dedicated his life to protecting the rights of the injured. He has assembled a team that shares his passion and works tirelessly to protect their clients’ interests. The team is committed to providing clients with zealous legal representation and taking cases to trial when necessary.

Questions and comments can be addressed by contacting ALF Director of Operations, Brian T.
Stellwag, at [email protected].