BUSINESS BRIEFING / COURTS

Wal-Mart agreed to pay nearly $2 million and improve safety at its 92 stores in New York state as part of a deal with prosecutors that avoids criminal charges in the trampling death of a temporary worker last year.

Nassau County Dist. Atty. Kathleen Rice said that if she had brought criminal charges against the retailer in the worker’s death, the company would have been subject to only a $10,000 fine if convicted.

Instead, she said, the company has agreed to implement an improved crowd-management plan for post-Thanksgiving Day sales, set up a $400,000 victims’ compensation and remuneration fund, and give $1.5 million to Nassau County social services programs and nonprofit groups.