In an article posted in February of 2006, the LA Times discussed the PG&E case that was made famous by the 2000 film “Erin Brockovich.” One of the defining characteristics of this particular case was the fact that many of the resident’s houses were being bought out for far less than fair market value prices from PG&E. Ultimately, the case became well known because of Erin, who lead the way for the “largest direct action lawsuit in history” with a settlement that resulted in 333 million dollars split between more than 1,000 residents of Hinkley, California and the surrounding area. The company also issued an apology to the residents. "Clearly, this situation should never have happened, and we are sorry that it did. It is not the way we do business, and we believe it would not happen in our company today” (http://articles.latimes.com/2006/feb/04/local/me-erin4). Additionally, the spokesman for the company, Jon Tremayne also added: "The differences between the plaintiffs and our company in the case centered on opposing views of the health science on chromium. Although the settlement does not resolve these differences, we believe it is best to move forward." (http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/money/industries/energy/2006-02-06-pge-settlement-brockovich_x.htm)
PG&E finally settled the last of the cases in 2008. Although much of the story was largely fiction in the film, each plaintiff did get roughly about $307,000 themselves in the settlement, which pales in comparison to the lifetime damages done to these plaintiffs. "Many of these people truly suffered and money doesn't make that go away," Erin Brockovich said in an interview. "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." (http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/money/industries/energy/2006-02-06-pge-settlement-brockovich_x.htm).
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