Research Paper On Erin Brockovich

Heroes know no boundaries. Although they originate under various circumstances, they are all united in their fervent desire to make a difference in the world around them. From acts of valor to everyday acts of kindness, heroes understand that being a bystander is not an option. Erin Brockovich understood this when she, along with attorney Edward Masry, tackled a case involving the deliberate negligence of the Pacific Gas & Electric Company that resulted in drinking water contaminated with hexavalent chromium. In Erin Brockovich, the film’s namesake refuses to stay on the sidelines as carcinogenic hexavalent chromium wreaks havoc on the town of Hinkley, California. Brockovich, along with others like her, understand that heroes do not wait for

While Brockovich may not have had the legal system on her side, unlawfulness does not always equate to unethical judgement. First, it is essential to note the scope of the utility services provided by PG&E within the state of California. “Pacific Gas and Electric Company is the largest investor-owned gas and electric utility in the United States in terms of sales. It has a service area covering about 94,000 square miles—most of northern and central California—and a population of more than ten million people” ("Pacific Gas and Electric Company"). This immense service area means that PG&E is a major utility provider among Californians. The company’s sphere of influence results in millions of individual cases where the company is accountable for potential problems that negatively affect customers and noncustomers. In Erin Brockovich, Masry and Brockovich work relentlessly to make PG&E answer for its negligence by demanding just compensation for the affected residents of Hinkley. Certainly, mishandling of cooling water rich in hexavalent chromium at PG&E’s natural gas compression station led to the contamination of Hinkley’s groundwater supply. However, this natural gas compression station was only one of several compression stations in PG&E’s natural gas distribution system. “Eight gas

However, how Brockovich obtained the job was a breach in ethical conduct. As a single mother who just suffered injuries from a car accident, Brockovich was financially hard-pressed. Masry represented Brockovich in the car accident case. However, due to Brockovich’s explosive outburst in the courtroom, her case is dismissed. Holding Masry to his promise that everything would be okay, Brockovich shows up to the law firm requesting a job. Not taking no for an answer, Brockovich bullies and manipulates her way into working for the law firm. Despite Brockovich excelling in her work, the ends do not necessarily justify the means. By admitting Brockovich, Masry is setting up a “slippery slope” in terms of hiring at his law firm. Certainly, the other legal clerks at the firm did not obtain employment through constant pestering and harassment. Why should Brockovich be held to a different standard than the other employees? Once an exception in the system is made, others will surely follow. Other employees will inquire about why a certain employee is receiving different treatment. Demands will be voiced, and tensions will rise within the company. Undoubtedly, Brockovich proved to be a huge asset in taking PG&E to court. Without her diligence, it could have been decades before the victims even had a chance for a settlement. Having said that, Brockovich could have handled herself better