Wal-mart Now Under Criminal Investigation by Nassau DA Kathleen Rice for Worker Stampede Death

Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice must have been reading the New York Disability Law Blog recently when we were the first to call for a criminal probe of Walmart’s role in causing the death of it’s employee, Jdimytai Damour.  As reported in Newsday, this aggressive prosecutor is willing to use the power of her office to place a bright light on worker safety AND employer responsibility.  She deserves the thanks of all working men and women in the New York area.  It’s not every day that a public official is willing to stand up to Wal-mart.

Rather than see the fact’s of the Damour case get buried by time and paper in a New York Workers’ Compensation claim, DA Rice’s investigation will hopefully make Walmart, and similar reckless retail employers, think twice before sponsoring "door-buster" "blitz" sales on the now appropriately named Black Friday.  Also credit the RWDSU and it’s President, Stuart Appelbaum, for standing up to Wal-mart and placing the blame where it should be – Aisle #3!