“Erin Brockovich” is based on a true story in Hinkley, CA depicting the effects of an

environmental health issue, such as water contamination, on an average American

community. It was created because it shared the story of the “largest settlement ever
paid in a direct-action lawsuit in U.S. history” (Soderbergh). It exposed an environmental
issue that could affect any American community, making it relatable to Americans living
in small towns across the country. Also, Erin’s personal story made the film relatable as
it shows her defy-ing the odds despite her circumstances and ultimately, living out the
American dream. It’s a true under-dog story, which will resonate with a wide audience,
particularly middle and lower-class Americans. (Russel, 2013)

Scenes that has obligation

 Erin has legal obligation (ART. 1158), which is an obligation arises from law, to
provide for her kids, Matthew, Katie and Beth since she conceived in a young
age. This is evident in the first scene she was being interviewed by an employer
to get a job. She stated that she has 3 children.

On the Car Accident Scene...

 The scene where Erin started to consult help from Mr. Masry, the lawyer, for her
case against the doctor who crashed her car where in the car accident is a
Fortuitous Event (ART. 1174). Negligence (ART. 1173) was present in the
doctor’s part since so there is a quasi-delict obligation (ART. 1162) arises,
which means the doctor has to pay for the damages.
 Ed Masry committed an incidental fraud (ART.1170) because they had a
contractual obligation (ART. 1159) where he should fight for his clients’ plea
and at the same time, Erin was obliged to pay for Mr. Masry’s professional fee
which was evident that they had a contract.
 When Erin was hired at Ed’s law firm, Erin asked for an advance payment from
the payroll section but the person behind it has already left so she asked Ed
instead which a contract of simple loan (mutuum) (ART. 1175) was made under
a contractual obligation. (ART. 1159)
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On the nanny situation...

 Where Erin would leave her children to a person to take care of them, since
nobody was left in their house, while she’s finding a job. On the first scene was
her neighbor then next was a woman on a different place. The nanny and Erin
has created a contractual obligation (ART. 1159) where as the nanny’s
obligation was to take care of the children until Erin came back to get them. The
nanny on the latter committed a contractual negligence/culpa contractual
(ART. 1172) where she left Erin’s children in her house without informing her
about it.
 George, a neighbor who obviously likes her, showed negotorium gestio when
the nanny left Erin’s children in her house. He accompanied her children at their
backyard and made something for them to eat.
 George was discussing about his babysitting time for the kids while she’s working
in the afternoon. Personal obligation (ART. 1156) arises when Erin approved
George’s suggestion since he doesn’t have a work that required him to go out.

Erin’s Job in Ed Masry’s Law Firm...

 Ed and Erin was discussing about the PG&E incident in Hinkley, California. Erin
did some research before but she wasn’t able to report because Ed fired her.
She was about to report informally but decided to ask him to hire her back with
raise and benefits. Erin committed negligence (ART. 1173) in fulfillment of a pre-
existing contract which arises from a contractual negligence/culpa
contractual. (ART. 1172)
 Negotiorum gestio (ART. 1160) was also evident, which is from a quasi-
contract obligation, when George voluntarily fixed Erin’s sink without her
consent.

When Erin was fired from her job...

 The scene where she received a final notice from the phone company, the period
arises from contract (contractual period) (ART. 1197). Since they had a

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 contract, Erin has a contractual obligation (ART. 1159) to pay for her expenses
but since she loses the period due to her insolvency, her obligation became pure
(ART. 1179), which is demandable at once.
 The scene where Ed and Erin was debating about hiring her in his law firm. He
wanted Erin to handle the case again but Erin wanted a raise and benefit
Conditional obligation (ART. 1179) was present, specifically suspensive
condition (ART. 1182) again, because if Ed agrees about her raise, Erin’s
obligation arises then when she completed her performance a retroactive effect
will occur as she will receive the raise and benefits that she demanded. Another
suspensive condition (ART. 1182) was made when Ed mentioned that he will
only represent that case was when she had already some evidences enough to
push through.

Continuation of Erin’s Investigation...

 When Erin was interviewing residents among the area, she felt the urge to
continue to fight for the case until the other party would pay for what their
company had cause the residents, health problems. She discovered that PG&E
has a civil obligation (ART. 1159) to the residents in the area where at first, it
arises from quasi-delict (ART. 1162) then it became a delict/penal obligation
(ART. 1161) when they contaminated the water supply.
 Erin and Ed visited the residents in Hinkley to dicsuss about the legal matters
about filing a case against the PG&E company. Ed offered that his fee will be
40% of whatever the cost awarded to them if they win the case but if they lose, it
would be zero. Suspensive Condition (ART. 1182) will exist if they would be
able to win case because the obligation to pay for his fee arises.
 The scene where Potters’ firm gave a condition, 90% of the residents in the area
should sign upon the stipulations of the case, to Erin for the case to have a
stronger evidence to win against the opposing side. This a suspensive condition
 PG&E company committed Incidental Fraud (ART.1170) because it was
obvious that from the very start, they had been lying to the residents that were
using chromium-3 instead of chromium-6 by means of giving out flyers and

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pamphlets and seminars. It has become a crime that needs to cover civil
liabilities. They couldn’t repair or restore what they have done since a lot of
residents had already incurred some disease so the only thing that they could do
is indemnification (ART. 100), which is to pay for the damages that cost
$333,000,000.

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