CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — A jury has awarded more than $31 million in damages to a former Wal-Mart pharmacist in New Hampshire who claimed she was wrongly fired after reporting safety concerns about co-workers dispensing prescriptions.

Maureen McPadden was an 18-year employee who reported her concerns to management while working in Wal-Mart's Seabrook pharmacy. She was fired in 2012 after losing her pharmacy key.

The jury awarded most of the money Thursday based on gender discrimination claims.

Wal-Mart denied that it engaged in any form of wrongful conduct.

A spokesman for the Bentonville, Arkansas-based company said Friday that the facts do not support the verdict and it plans to appeal. He said McPadden had been disciplined before and the lost key led to her dismissal.