A Civil Action V. Jan Schlichtmann

In the movie, A Civil Action, the plaintiff’s case commenced when a group of various parents and families suspected that the health related issues and deaths in their city of Woburn was the result of contaminated water. Although the attorney, Jan Schlichtmann, was reluctant to take the case at first because they didn’t have plausible cause “who is going to apologize to you when you don’t know who did it and pay me” [1], he perceived that 2 corporations sat on the border of the river. Mr. Schlichtmann and his firm thus took the case and filed a major lawsuit, which stated that that the two corporations, W.R Grace and Beatrice Foods, caused wrongful deaths due to the dumping of hazardous waste.”Lawsuits are a declaration of war. They begin the same way: with a complaint” [1]. The
Consequently, this means that the plaintiffs lost a 20 million dollar settlement deal for nothing. Ultimately, the plaintiff’s become desperate, they have no money and no way to pay of all of their debts. They end up settling on an 8 million dollar deal with Grace. “A settlement agreement has been reached between both parties. The exact conditions shall remain private between the parties involved” [1]. Accordingly, the plaintiff’s family would get 375 thousand each but with no apology and additionally, no clean up. Schlichtmann and his firm falls apart as they are all left with nothing but bankruptcy. Because of the plaintiff’s excessive settlement demands and gambling, they lose everything thanks to this case. Furthermore, Schlichtmann gives his files to the EPA, who end up ordering a 69.4 million dollar cleanup of the contaminated area. In which, Beatrice and Grace had to pay for. Ultimately, both the plaintiffs and defendants ended up paying more in the long run. Based on their principles in the beginning movie and if Jan did not have a change in heart it may have ended in the plaintiff's