San Bernardino, California — A California jury awarded a former Walmart truck driver, Jesús “Jesse” Fonseca, nearly $35 million after determining that the retail giant wrongfully fired him and falsely accused him of workers’ compensation fraud.
Fonseca, who worked for 14 years at a Walmart distribution center, suffered a serious injury in 2017 when another semi-trailer truck collided with his vehicle. After the accident, medical professionals advised him to avoid heavy lifting, pushing, pulling, and driving commercial vehicles. Despite these restrictions, Walmart allegedly failed to accommodate his needs and later fired him under questionable circumstances.
Record-breaking Jury Award
The San Bernardino County jury awarded Fonseca $25 million in punitive damages and an additional $9.7 million for non-economic losses, such as mental anguish and loss of quality of life. Walmart was found guilty of violating its own ethics policies by falsely accusing Fonseca of fraud to justify his firing.
This verdict has put a spotlight on Walmart’s treatment of injured workers, and Fonseca’s legal team claims the company engages in practices aimed at forcing employees to return to work prematurely or laying them off to cut costs.
Statements from Fonseca’s legal team
David M. deRubertis, one of Fonseca’s attorneys, described the case as evidence of Walmart’s indifference toward its employees. Mohamed Eldessouky, another lawyer, added: “This decision sends a strong message. Companies must act with honesty and integrity when questioning an employee’s character. “Walmart needs to reconsider how it treats the hard-working people who keep its business going.”
A wake-up call for employers
The $35 million verdict underscores the importance of ethical corporate practices and fair treatment of injured employees. Walmart has not yet issued an official statement on the case.
This historic decision not only brings justice for Fonseca, but also serves as a warning for companies to prioritize the rights and well-being of their workers.