This assignment involves watching the film Erin Brockovich, which is based on a true story about a woman, hired as a clerk by a law firm, who then takes on a large company accused of being responsible for poisoning 100’s of families living near an industrial processing plant. This fascinating film, starring Julia Roberts and Albert Finney, is both sad, and uplifting, and takes you through the complex minefield of holding a large corporation liable for its negligence in disposing of hazardous waste – in this case the very toxic metal hexavalent chromium. After viewing this film, write a 2-3 page, typed, double-spaced summary of the film and include your thoughts on the risks that humans and other organisms face when near an industrial waste site, the liability of the company that owns it and the rights that people have as U.S. citizens to take action and protect or compensate themselves.
