ERIN BROCKOVICH CASE AN ANALYSIS
... This paper is just not about a case it is about right to life. ... This paper discusses the various aspects of the case, “Anderson v PG&E - Superior Court for the County of San Bernardino, Barstow Division, File BCV 300”, popularly known as “the Erin Brockovich case”. It is a landmark case in Civil action lawsuits. This case has egged numerous other plaintiffs to stand up against environmental injustice by firms. It was a case filed by the residents of Hinkley, California against on of the biggest electricity generating concerns of USA. ... What ensued was the largest direct class action lawsuit spearheaded by Erin Brokovich and Ed Masry. ... All this due to activism and endless effort on part of one woman, Erin Brokovich. Erin Brockovich was a filing clerk at a law firm named, Masry and Vititoe. ... The only experience of law she has prior to this was a settlement of a car accident case involving herself, she won a settlement of $17000. BASIC TERMS, DETAILS AND BACKGROUND REGARDING THE CASE Cooling towers These are open water recirculating devices that use fans or natural draft to draw or force air through the device to cool water by evaporation and direct contact. ... Relevance to the case Forensic Toxicologist Dr. ... In fact, one could make a strong case that carefully selected words were deliberately misleading: Chromium occurs in two forms. ... THE CASE The case started with Erin Brockovich (a formerly unemployed, single mother of three working in a California law firm) who wanted to know what medical records had to do with a real estate file. ... What came up was so huge that she convinced her law firm to let her follow up the case. ... The case was first of its kind. ... It was the direct result of a monstrous effort by Erin and Ed Mason, her boss; this was the dedicated legal team. The plaintiffs lawyers had to: Prove medical causation Deal with missing evidence that had been lost or destroyed Reconstruct a complex hydro-geological water system Prove the extent of PG&Es inappropriate conduct The case started with the plaintiffs trying to find what had affected them and their families. As the case proceeded it was revealed how the plaintiffs were led to deception over the years. As lawyers for both sides fought, the case grew. ... (That did not account for all the people who had lived in the Hinkley area over the years - some of whom were not part of the case but are sick today. ... The "fear of cancer" claim (referred to as "preconception injuries" in the case) would go to the jury. ... The case went on for another 3 yrs and in 1996 the court gave its ruling. ... THE FALLOUTS OF THE CASE Another PG&E Lawsuit A bigger, broader lawsuit is headed to trial in November against San Francisco-based PG&E and one of its main suppliers. ... SB 2127, approved by the Legislature and signed into law last year, requires assessment to be completed by end of 2001 Conclusion This case gives learning about how public involvement in environment protection is the order of the day.