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PG&E settles with local attorneys for contamination depicted in 'Erin Brockovich'
| Tuesday, Apr 1 2008 8:21 PM
Last Updated: Wednesday, Apr 2 2008 7:43 AM
Bakersfield attorneys have settled for $20 million with Pacific Gas & Electric Co. after evidence showed 104 people were exposed to contaminated water in the town depicted in the movie, “Erin Brockovich,” prosecuting attorneys said.
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The settlement was finalized last week in Los Angeles after documents proved PG&E exposed people to the cancer-causing chemical chromium 6 in the high desert town of Hinkley, according to local attorney, Thomas Anton.
PG&E could not be reached Tuesday for comment.
“For 24 years, they knew exactly what they were doing,” Anton said about the company. “It was contaminating a town.”
The lawsuit sprung from the release of the movie "Erin Brockovich" in 2000.
The film depicted Brockovich and her research into PG&E contaminating the groundwater in Hinkley. Her efforts led to a $333 million settlement in 1996.
After watching the movie, many people came forward with worries that they may also may have been poisoned when they were living in Hinkley.
“It wasn’t just the people who lived by the plant who were affected, but everyone living in Hinkley,” said prosecuting attorney Stephen Wainer.
The contaminated water near the plant was dispersed all over town, Wainer said.
The Hinkley Volunteer Fire Department used the water to fight fires and the water was used to fill swimming pools and dry summer wells, according to the prosecution.
Those too late for the case depicted in the movie contacted local attorney Michael Dolan. Clients came from around the country including two who now live in Bakersfield.
“You may be exposed today and symptoms may not show for 37 years. You’re dealing with a large question mark in your life,” Anton said.
Attorneys sued PG&E in 2000 and 2001. The first lawsuit was settled for $4 million, according to Anton.
Since the the lawsuits were filed, 12 plaintiffs developed cancer such as cervical and leukemia and two have died.
“They ruined an entire community,” Anton said about PG&E.