Synopsis of a Civil Action

A Civil Action

Outline

A Civil Action tells the tale of the legal process involved in the Woburn residents' pursuit of justice. In the early 1980’s, a group of families in Woburn, a small town just north of Boston, sue two big US companies, Beatrice and Grace, for the deaths of their children and other health problems caused by the dumping of poisonous chemicals that end up contaminating their water supply. The case is eventually taken up by a Boston personal injury lawyer, Jan Schlichtmann, and his partnership firm. After investing most of their money, and building a strong case over a period of three years Jan’s law firm finally files a compensation case against the companies in May 1982 on the grounds of willfull and gross negligence. Grace and Beatrice far from admitting their guilt and taking the blame for the contamination, deaths and suffering; manipulate the legal process for their own gain. Though Jan finally ends with a token victory, he is also a changed man. The change in heart of Jan and his partners, the avarice of the corporates raise several pertinent ethical issues.

Key ethical issues

A Civil Action brings to light the way large firms get away with polluting the environmental resources (water), which in turn affects the masses. It also highlights the way in which corporates try to shriek their responsibility to sustainable growth.

• The phenomena of throwing a pawn under the bus so as to safeguard self-image and interests are the tactics of huge corporations which are displayed by Beatrice Foods corporate and its legal team where even though they are co-defendants with Riley Tanners, they still fight for only their survival.
• Beatrice foods followed ethical relativism keeping their best interest at heart. The lawyer for Beatrice Jerome Facher’s attitude throughout was about shifting the blame from his client to the subsidiary.
• The transition of Jan Schlictmann from Ethical Egoism to Utilitarianism is positive journey, from being a means oriented person in the start to morals oriented in the end.

The Key Players

Schlichtmann, Conway and Crowley (Plaintiffs)

• Jan Schlichtmann
• James Gordon
• Kevin Conway
• Bill Crowley

Beatrice and Grace (Defendants)

• Jerome Facher (Beatrice)
• William Cheeseman (Grace)

Facts

1980         Woburn families engage attorney Joe Mulligan of Mulligan & Reed

1981         Jan Schlichtman meets families on behalf of Mulligan & Reed