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As the world’s largest discount retailer, Wal-Mart stands to do better than most chains during this economically challenged holiday shopping season. However, that hasn’t stopped the company from receiving a steady flow of negative press. On Friday a worker was trampled to death at a Long Island store as a mob of overeager consumers flooded doorway in order to take advantage of early morning sales. Police are investigating tapes of the incident to try and identify customers that may have been involved in the trampling. Critics are calling for a review of the company’s procedures that morning to see if it had been adequately prepared and took appropriate measures for the regular day after Thanksgiving rush. Earlier in the week a Wal-Mart employee in Oregon filed suit against the company. Lynda deBarros alleged that the chain demoted her after she took time off during the 2007 Christmas shopping season. According to deBarros the time off was used for medical purposes as she was concerned she might have cancer. Also last week Wal-Mart agreed to pay $1.4 million for price scanning mistakes. Allegations began in 2005 alleging that prices at Wal-Mart registers rank up differently then prices advertised on signs and shelves. The errors were prevalent throughout the state and averaged $8.40 per customer.