EOC: Erin Brockovich

Week 3 EOC: Erin Brockovich

“In July 1996, PG&E agreed to pay $333 million to about 650 people who blamed cancer and other diseases on polluted water leaking from a gas pumping station.”  This was the end settlement that to residents of Hinkley, CA. It all started when some people that lived in the city were getting sick and having health problems. A company Called PG&E had a plant near by and had a underground leak that went into the towns drinking water. This water was tainted with chromium. There was 140 times the amount of chromium in the water then was allowed by government standards. "There was a realization that chromium contamination by PG&E very well could have been the cause of the medical problems of so many people: Hysterectomies, ovarian cancer, bladder problems, throat problems." Erin Brockovich who was working as a legal clerk did some more research and investigation to the connection to of the chromium in the water and the resident’s health issues. She played a instrumental role in the case against PG&E. PG&E first offered to pay a settlement of $160 million, but was later decided that they would have to pay $333 million for damages. Nearly double! “Many of these people truly suffered and money doesn't make that go away, But I hope it gives them a sense that they stood up for something; and I hope they can use the money to help with their medical conditions or to make their lives easier."  I think this case is good. Obviously not in the fact that people were harmed and got sick form what the thought was clean drinking water, but that Erin Brockovich stood up for the small town and didn’t take a first couple o settlement payments. She fought until what she thought was well deserving of the crime that was commented. PG&E is completely liable and I’m glad that they had to pay the residents a huge settlement. I’m glad that another big company didn’t get away from what they did by just throwing their money and power around.

Works cited:

1- http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/money/industries/energy/2006-02-06-pge-settlement-brockovich_x.htm

2- http://articles.latimes.com/2006/feb/04/local/me-erin4

3-http://www.sbsun.com/general-news/20130709/hinkley-erin-brockovich-feels-duped-by-pge