The plaintiff, James Stanton, alleged that he was fired from his job after reporting that Walmart trucks were being overloaded and driven with defective brakes. Stanton claimed that the company ignored his concerns and retaliated by firing him.

“We are pleased that the jury saw the truth in this case,” said Stanton’s attorney, David Rubens. “Walmart put profits ahead of safety, and they have been held accountable.”

Walmart denied any wrongdoing and said that Stanton was fired for performance reasons. “We respect the jury’s verdict, but we believe it is not supported by the evidence,” said Walmart spokesperson Randy Hargrove.

The jury awarded Stanton $10 million in compensatory damages and $24 million in punitive damages. The punitive damages are intended to punish Walmart and deter it from similar conduct in the future.

The case highlights the growing trend of employers being held liable for retaliating against employees who report safety violations. In recent years, several large companies have been ordered to pay millions of dollars in damages for retaliating against whistleblowers.

“This verdict sends a strong message that employers cannot retaliate against employees who report safety concerns,” said Michael Fox, an employment law expert at the National Whistleblower Center. “Safety should be the top priority for any company, and employees should be able to speak up without fear of reprisal.”

The verdict is a major victory for Stanton and his attorney. It also sends a clear message to Walmart and other companies that they will be held accountable for retaliating against whistleblowers.