Followup: Walmart Tramplee Not New to the Sport
'Trampled' Wal-Mart Shopper Has History Of Injury ClaimsA woman reported 'trampled' last Friday by Wal-Mart shoppers desperate for $29.87 DVD players has a long history of claiming injuries from Wal-Marts and other businesses where she worked or shopped.
Patricia Vanlester, 41, was knocked unconscious and, her sister said, 'trampled by a herd of elephants' by a stampede of shoppers reaching for DVD players that went on sale at 6 a.m. the day after Thanksgiving, according to Orange City police and the sister, Linda Ellzey.
The story was picked up by the Associated Press and carried in newspapers and other media as far away as Australia and China, an example -- some commentators have opined -- of American excess during the holiday shopping season.
An investigation by WKMG-Local 6 reveals Vanlester has filed 16 previous claims of injuries at Wal-Mart stores and other places she has shopped or worked, according to Wal-Mart, court files and state records. Her sister, who accompanied her Friday on the visit to Wal-Mart, has also filed a prior injury claim against Wal-Mart, with Vanlester as her witness, a company spokeswoman said yesterday.
This doesn't change my position on Shopping, however. Shopping is still the root of all modern existence.
* Ray, 12/05/2003 01:59:43 PM
