The case was settled in 1996 for (US) $333 million, the largest settlement ever paid in a direct-action lawsuit in United States history to that date. Masry & Vititoe, the law firm for which Brockovich was a legal clerk, received $133.6 million of that settlement, and Brockovich received $2.5 million as part of her fee.
How much did Erin Brockovich get paid in the movie Brockovich?
When he joins forces with a big-time Los Angeles law firm, she defiantly resists. In time, her street smarts outbalance the incompetent, unfeeling lawyers at the downtown firm, and the residents come out with a $333 million award -- and Brockovich herself gets a check for $2 million.
How did Erin Brockovich get her first client?
At the time, Erin Brockovich worked as a clerk at the firm. Ed Masry drove out to talk with Walker, and eventually brought Brockovich. Other townspeople later heard about the visiting attorney and called Masry's office. He soon placed an ad in the local newspaper, announcing a "town meeting" to collect clients to mount a lawsuit.
Is the real Erin Brockovich facing lawsuits in Hinkley California?
While the real Erin Brockovich basks in the glow of the film’s successful reception, giving interviews and appearing on Oprah, the bitter citizens of Hinkley California have allegedly hired new attorneys and are preparing to file a spate of lawsuits against Erin’s firm. According to Sharp’s account, the legal profession falls down on the job.
How did Erin Brockovich find Masry&Vititoe?
Through a friend, she found Masry & Vititoe, a personal-injury firm in Westlake Village, northwest of Los Angeles. At the time, Erin Brockovich worked as a clerk at the firm. Ed Masry drove out to talk with Walker, and eventually brought Brockovich.
How much of Erin Brockovich is true?
98% accurateOn her website, Brockovich says the film is "probably 98% accurate". While the general facts of the story are accurate, there are some minor discrepancies between actual events and the movie, as well as a number of controversial and disputed issues more fundamental to the case.
Is Erin Brockovich still rich?
Erin Brockovich is an American legal clerk and environmental activist who has net worth of $10 million. Erin Brockovich is most well-known for building a case against the Pacific Gas & Electric Company in California.
How much did Ed Masry get?
The case was settled in 1996 for $333 million, the largest settlement ever paid in a direct-action lawsuit in American history. The case was adapted for the successful 2000 film Erin Brockovich, with Albert Finney portraying Masry.
How much did Julia Roberts get paid for Erin Brockovich?
$20 millionWith Erin Brockovich, released on March 17, 2000, Julia Roberts becomes the first actress ever to command $20 million per movie.
How much did Erin Brockovich get paid for the settlement?
Masry & Vititoe, the law firm for which Brockovich was a legal clerk, received $133.6 million of that settlement, and Brockovich received $2.5 million as part of her fee.
Does Erin Brockovich still work for Ed Masry?
Brockovich, who still works for Masry as his research director, testified in the Van Nuys courtroom of Judge Stanley Weisberg that two key pieces of evidence offered by Cohen's lawyer did not strike her as sexual harassment.
Did the residents of Hinkley get their money?
Fifteen years after the film showed triumphant residents winning a $333-million settlement with Pacific Gas & Electric Co. for contaminating its water — and nearly 20 years after the settlement itself — Hinkley is emptying out, and those who stay still struggle to find resolution.
Are Erin Brockovich and George still together?
Erin and Jorge did break up, but he did not leave her life. He was hired as a full time live-in nanny for Erin's children for several years, paid for by the law firm so that she would have more time to devote to her work.
How much did Ed Masry get from the PG&E case?
$333-millionEd Masry, the flamboyant, crusading environmental lawyer portrayed by actor Albert Finney in the movie “Erin Brockovich,” which was based on Masry's landmark $333-million settlement against Pacific Gas & Electric Co. for groundwater contamination in California's high desert, has died. He was 73.
Who is the highest paid actor?
Dwayne JohnsonHighest annual earningsRankActorEarnings1Dwayne Johnson$89.4 million2Chris Hemsworth$76.4 million3Robert Downey Jr.$66 million4Akshay Kumar$65 million6 more rows
How rich is Cameron Diaz?
$140 millionWhile actively working, Diaz was consistently one of the top-paid actresses in Hollywood and has an estimated net worth of $140 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
What is Reese Witherspoon worth?
$400 millionIn 2021, Forbes named her the world's richest actress with an estimated net worth of $400 million. New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
What does Erin Brockovich do now?
Now, Erin is still fighting while producing the new series Rebel on ABC, which tells the story of her life. Erin Brockovich represents the everyman that could — she represents the people who have something to fight for and can actually make it happen.
How much does Julia Roberts worth?
$250 millionAs of 2020, Roberts' net worth was estimated to be $250 million. People magazine has named her the most beautiful woman in the world a record five times.
Did George and Erin Brockovich stay together?
Erin and Jorge did break up, but he did not leave her life. He was hired as a full time live-in nanny for Erin's children for several years, paid for by the law firm so that she would have more time to devote to her work.
How old is Erin Brockovich now?
62 years (June 22, 1960)Erin Brockovich / Age
What is Erin Brockovich known for?
Erin Brockovich quickly became known for her spunky personality and determination. “Everywhere I was going in this little community, somebody had asthma, a complaint of a chronic cough, recurring bronchitis, recurring rashes, unusual joint aches, nosebleeds,” Brockovich told “20/20” in a new interview.
When was Erin Brockovich's movie "Erin Brockovich" made?
Courtesy of Erin Brockovich. Erin Brockovich on set of the movie "Erin Brockovich" in 2001. “We're still talking about this, and that movie came out 21 years ago. And it was almost before its time because it was about environmental pollution that we are in the throes of today,” Brockovich.
What did Brockovich say about the ghost town?
Brockovich added, “Everything's boarded. It's a ghost town. That's a good way to end a community in America and poison it and its people.”
How much did Brockovich pay for the PG&E case?
In 1996, the case was settled for $333 million -- the largest ever paid in a direct-action lawsuit at the time.
Why is Brockovich so famous?
Brockovich became a household name after she publicized the water crisis in Hinkley, California. She faced Pacific Gas & Electric in a multi-million dollar lawsuit that eventually inspired a movie.
Who is in charge of cleanup in Hinkley?
Independent consultant Raudel Sanchez is in charge of monitoring the cleanup efforts on behalf of Hinkley residents. PG&E funds Sanchez and his group as part of the settlement.
How much did Michigan pay for the crisis?
I n August 2020 the state of Michigan agreed to pay victims of the crisis $600 million.
Where is Erin Brockovich from?
She has two brothers, Frank Jr. and Thomas (1954–1992), and a sister, Jodie. She graduated from Lawrence High School, then attended Kansas State University, in Manhattan , Kansas, and graduated with an Associate in Applied Arts Degree from Wade College in Dallas, Texas.
How much did Brockovich get paid for the case?
The case was settled in 1996 for US$ 333 million, the largest settlement ever paid in a direct-action lawsuit in United States history. Masry & Vititoe, the law firm for which Brockovich was a legal clerk, received $133.6 million of that settlement, and Brockovich herself received a settlement of $2 million.
What lawsuit did Brockovich and Masry file against the school district?
Brockovich and Masry alleged that 300 cancer cases were linked to the oil wells. Subsequent testing and epidemiological investigation failed to corroborate a substantial link, and Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Wendell Mortimer granted summary judgment against the plaintiffs. In May 2007, the School District announced that it was to be paid $450,000 as reimbursement for legal expenses.
What documentary did Brockovich appear in?
Brockovich had a more extensive role in the 2012 documentary Last Call at the Oasis, which focused on not only water pollution but also the overall state of water scarcity as it relates to water policy in the United States.
Where was the prime tanning lawsuit filed?
Brockovich assisted in the filing of a lawsuit against Prime Tanning Corp. of St. Joseph, Missouri in April 2009. The lawsuit claims that waste sludge from the production of leather, containing high levels of hexavalent chromium, was distributed to farmers in northwest Missouri to use as fertilizer on their fields.
Who played Erin Brockovich in Pacific Gas and Electric?
Brockovich's work in bringing litigation against Pacific Gas & Electric was the focus of the 2000 feature film, Erin Brockovich, starring Julia Roberts in the title role. The film was nominated for five Academy Awards: Best Actress in a Leading Role, Best Actor in a Supporting Role, Best Director, Best Picture, and Best Writing in a Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen. Roberts won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of Erin Brockovich. Erin Brockovich herself had a cameo role as a waitress named Julia R.
Where is Brockovich's storage facility?
In early 2016, Brockovich became involved in potential litigation against Southern California Gas for a large methane leak from its underground storage facility near the community of Porter Ranch north of Los Angeles.
How Did Erin Brockovich Make Her Money?
But despite that, her investigation played an important role in the Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) case of 1993, which attracted a lot of media attention at the time. When the case was settled for $333 million, Erina received $2 million. However, it was only a beginning, and since then, Erin has been actively involved with numerous other anti-pollution lawsuits.
How much is Erin Brockovich worth?
Erin Brockovich’s net worth is estimated to be around $10 million. Since she has started producing television shows now and taking into account other streams of income like royalties from her books, we can presume that her net worth will increase in the coming years.
Where was Erin Brockovich born?
She was born to Frank Pattee, an engineer, and Betty Jo, a journalist, on June 22, 1960. Brockovich is raised in Lawrence, Kansas, where she attended Lawrence High School. Se later enrolled in Wade College, ...
How many children does Erin have?
Erin has been married thrice in her life, and all of them ended in divorce. She has three children, and despite the hardships that she once faced as a single unemployed mother, Erin has shown remarkable courage and resilience to build an impressive career.
Who was the woman who offered to buy her house for $60,000.?
Roberta Walker was one of the people approached by PG&E, which offered to buy her house (valued at $25,000 at the time) for $60,000. She said she didn't want to sell. When the utility asked her for a figure, she blurted out $250,000. A few weeks later, the company agreed.
When did PG&E settle the Hinkley case?
PG&E fired its law firm and hired another. On June 12, 1996 , PG&E settled the Hinkley case with Girardi for $333 million, and delivered the money a few weeks later. It was trumpeted as the largest settlement of its kind.
What did the Hinkley plaintiffs' attorneys do after the settlement?
After the settlement, the Hinkley plaintiffs' attorneys took some of the arbitrators in the case on a steeply discounted Mediterranean luxury cruise. The fraternization between the private judges and the plaintiffs' lawyers led California Supreme Court Chief Justice Ronald George to begin a study of the business of arbitration. And while Brockovich appears on "Oprah," some townspeople are preparing for a new round of lawsuits -- this time against their former lawyers, including Brockovich's firm.
What did Masry tell the residents about PG&E?
Masry told the residents that he believed that PG&E's chromium had poisoned the water, and that this was responsible for their ailments. He offered to represent them in a suit against the giant utility. Throughout 1992, he and Brockovich continued to drum up clients.
How long did the settlement lawyers keep their awards?
Some have even hired lawyers to get back excessive legal fees charged to children. They say the attorneys kept their awards for six months after the settlement money was delivered, and that they didn't receive interest on it. They complain that there was little or no apparent logic behind the varying amounts of money individual plaintiffs received; some claim that the arbitrators never even looked at their medical records.
What did Lack and Girardi sue?
Girardi and Lack were known for having sued a slew of companies on behalf of 624 present and former Lockheed aerospace workers. In that case Girardi argued that a number of alleged carcinogens found in materials used at Lockheed's Burbank, Calif., plant had caused his mostly elderly clients to suffer from cancer, memory loss and other ailments. Girardi broke the suit into dozens of cases -- each with ex-workers grouped by length of employment, type of ailments and other factors. In 1994, the groups started winning increasingly larger awards until the fifth case went before a Los Angeles Superior Court judge in August 1998. That's when judge and jury awarded 38 former workers $785 million -- more than $20 million each.
Is Erin Brockovich based on a true story?
he Julia Roberts film "Erin Brockovich" is in its fourth week as one of the most popular movies in America. It's billed as being based on a true story. But the film tells only half of it -- and the half it doesn't tell isn't pretty. The film is about a down-on-her-luck but defiant, twice-divorced, working-class mother of three.
Who is Erin Brockovich married to?
Erin married actor Eric Ellis in 1999. This is not the biker George, played by actor Aaron Eckhart in the film, although the biker was in fact based on a real person. Erin's 1999 marriage was her third trip to the alter. She was first married in 1982 to a restaurant manager named Shawn Brown, with whom she had two children, Matthew and Katie. Erin and Shawn divorced in 1987. After becoming a secretary at a Reno brokerage, it was there that she met her second husband, stockbroker Steven Brockovich. The two married in 1989 and had one child, her youngest daughter, Elizabeth. Erin and Steven divorced in 1990. Currently, Erin Brockovich lives with her husband Eric and her children in Agoura Hills, California. -masryvititoe.com
Is Erin Brockovich real?
Yes. The real Erin Brockovich appeared as a waitress in the film. -IMDB
How did Erin and Erin help the Hinkley residents?
According to Sharp’s account, the legal profession falls down on the job. Erin et al guided the Hinkley residents into seeking justice via private arbitration. This procedure is supposed to cut court costs and streamline the process. Instead, Sharp provides substantial evidence that arbitration played a key role in undermining the awards to deserving Hinkley residents. Sharp notes, "The formula for disbursing the money has been kept secret, as has the entire transcript of the arbitration proceeding." Sharp alleges that residents were supposed to receive awards based on medical bills, but in many cases, no medical records were examined. One resident said the major criterion for getting a larger settlement was being "buddies with Ed and Erin."
How long did Hinkley residents hold the award money?
Lawyers allegedly held the award money for nearly six months before it was dispersed. Hinkley residents received no explanation for the delay. They had lost Erin as an advocate: "suddenly, they couldn’t get through to anyone, not even Brockovich.".
Did Brockovich pay off Ed Masry?
Several male acquaintance of Brockovich, one of whom was portrayed as a supportive, upstanding character in the film, allegedly demanded that Brockovich pay them off. Otherwise, they would supply the tabloids with a story that Brockovich and Ed Masry had had an affair and that Brockovich was an unfit mother.
Who is Miles O'Brien?
Miles O’Brien is a veteran, independent journalist who focuses on science, technology and aerospace.
How much did Roberta get from the settlement?
Roberta is not allowed to say how much she got from the $333 million dollar settlement that gave the screenwriters such a nice bow to wrap up the movie. It was, however, enough to allow her and her husband to build a new home on a hill overlooking Hinkley.
What are some secrets about Erin Brockovich?
1. The screenwriter Susannah Grant spent a year following the real Brockovich and her kids around while writing the screenplay, and the heroine had no idea the movie was going to be named after her until Soderbergh told her at the wrap party.
How long did Brockovich work at the law firm?
19. Brockovich continued working at the law firm for 12 years, and when Masry died in 2005, she was holding his hand as he passed.
Did Brockovich get sick?
In real-life, Brockovich actually got sick from the toxins , but a scene depicting that was ultimately cut from the final version. "I didn't want people to think that this was going to turn into one of those movies where the protagonist gets terminally ill," Soderbergh said on the DVD commentary.
Overview
Pacific Gas & Electric litigation
The case (Anderson, et al. v. Pacific Gas & Electric, file BCV 00300) alleged contamination of drinking water with hexavalent chromium (also written as "chromium VI", "Cr-VI" or "Cr-6") in the town of Hinkley, near Barstow in southern California. At the center of the case was a facility, the Hinkley compressor station, built in 1952 as a part of a natural-gas pipeline connecting to the San Francisco Bay Area. Between 1952 and 1966, PG&E used hexavalent chromium in a cooling tow…
Early life
Brockovich was born Erin Pattee in Lawrence, Kansas, the daughter of Betty Jo (born O'Neal; c. 1923–2008), a journalist, and Frank Pattee (1924–2011), an industrial engineer and football player. She has two brothers, Frank Jr. and Thomas (1954–1992), and a sister, Jodie. She graduated from Lawrence High School, then attended Kansas State University, in Manhattan, Kansas, and graduated with an Associate in Applied Arts Degree from Wade College in Dallas, Texas.
Other litigation
Working with Edward L. Masry, a lawyer based in Thousand Oaks, California, Brockovich went on to participate in other anti-pollution lawsuits. One suit accused the Whitman Corporation of chromium contamination in Willits, California. Another, which listed 1,200 plaintiffs, alleged contamination near PG&E's Kettleman Hills compressor station in Kings County, California, along t…
Awards
• Honorary Doctor of Laws and commencement speaker at Lewis & Clark Law School, Portland, Oregon, in May 2005
• Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters and commencement speaker at Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, California, on May 5, 2007
• Honorary Master of Arts, Business Communication, from Jones International University, Centennial, Colorado
Movies and television
Brockovich's work in bringing litigation against Pacific Gas & Electric was the focus of the 2000 feature film Erin Brockovich, starring Julia Roberts in the title role. The film was nominated for five Academy Awards: Best Actress in a Leading Role, Best Actor in a Supporting Role, Best Director, Best Picture, and Best Writing in a Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen. Roberts won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of Erin Brockovich. Brockovich herself had a ca…
Books and articles
Brockovich's first book, Take It from Me: Life's a Struggle But You Can Win (ISBN 978-0071383790), was published in 2001. A second book, Superman's Not Coming, was released on August 25, 2020.
In 2021, Brockovich wrote about hormone-disrupting chemicals (such as PFAS) decimating human fertility at an alarming rate.
Personal life
Brockovich has three children: a son Matthew and a daughter Katie from her first marriage to Shawn Brown, and a daughter Elizabeth "Beth" from her second marriage to Steven Brockovich. Her third husband is actor and country musician DJ, Eric L. Ellis. As of 2016, Brockovich resides in Agoura Hills, California, in a house she purchased in 1996 with her US$2.5 million bonus after the Hinkley settlement.