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A Civil Action ((The Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989, is a United…
A Civil Action
The Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989, is a United States federal law that protects federal whistleblowers who work for the government and report the possible existence of an activity constituting a violation of law, rules, or regulations, or mismanagement
Clean Water Act (CWA). The 1972 amendments: Established the basic structure for regulating pollutant discharges into the waters of the United States. Gave EPA the authority to implement pollution control programs such as setting wastewater standards for industry.A
The lawyer of Beatrice didn't want the parents to testify because he knew the parents emotional appeals would sway the jury in their favor.
The first whistle blower was Al Love because he was worried for his kids and felt bad for what had happened. the other whistleblowers followed suit after finding out that Al had testified.
Water was used as a motif in this movie because that was the whole problem in the town polluted drinking water, using it in the movie shows how vital this substance is . After learning of the pollution I feel uneasy because I knew of the kids who have died do to that water.
Jan didn't want to take the case at the beginning because it would be incredible hard to determine responsibility for the pollution. Personally I wouldn't have taken the case because it wouldn't have been a profitable venture if I did take it. The likely hood of me winning would have been slim.
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Jan Schichtmann- personal injury lawyer was the prosecuting lawyer against W.R Grace for the parents who were suing these companies
Al Love- the Whistle Blower who worked for W.R Grace
Anne Anderson- The Mother who reached out to Jan after the death of her son.
Jerome Facher- The defending lawyer of one of the companies being sued
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PLOT-After the death of 12 Kids in Woburn, Massachusetts parents of these children expect foul play on the part of W.R Grace and J Riley Tannery and they seek a lawyer who will take their case to court. They find this lawyer in Jan Schichtmann over confident personal injury lawyer. After agreeing to take their case Jan goes through a grueling trial in which they win a settlement of 8 million dollars after almost going bankrupt, this was in par because of Al Love a whistleblower from W.R Grace. After this verdict the companies were forced by the EPA to clean up the mess that they made of the area.
One of the biggest ideas that I thought Jan really exemplified was throughout the movie you saw him make an ideological shift from seeing clients as a pay check to being actual people that he cared about.
Id recommend this movie especially if you have and interest in law because it takes you from the beginning to the end of a civil case giving you a in depth look at the workings of law. Not only this but its also a gripping drama that will have you on the edge of your seats.
ethical dilemmas
Al Love had an ethical dilemma, being personally effected by the pollution caused by W.R Grace. He was faced with a choice to help the prosecuting lawyers or to keep his lips sealed and cover for his company and his friends who were responsible for the pollution. He chose to tell on his employer.
Jan's ethical dilemma was to continue the case even though it could possible bankrupt him or to drop it and take the settlement and possible make more money. He decided to keep the case.
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Current event
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday gave the green light to two class-action lawsuits filed by residents of Flint, Michigan who are pursing civil rights claims against local and state officials over lead contamination in the city’s water supply.
Flint, a predominantly black city, switched its public water source from Lake Huron to the Flint River in a cost-cutting move in April 2014. The polluted river water caused lead to leach from pipes. Lead poisoning stunts children’s cognitive development. No level of exposure is considered safe.
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