A Civil Action 1998

In the city of Woburn, Massachusetts, serious environmental toxins have seeped into the water supply, leading to tragic consequences with multiple local children succumbing to illness. In this gripping drama, cocky Boston attorney Jan Schlichtmann and his tight-knit team of personal injury lawyers are approached by Woburn resident Anne Anderson, who seeks justice for her son, lost to Leukemia just two years prior.

Compelled by Anne’s heart-wrenching story shared during a radio appearance, Jan discovers the daunting statistics of 12 Leukemia cases in just 15 years. With tests revealing contamination in two of the town’s wells from known carcinogens, his partners express concerns about the financial burden of pursuing the case, leading to a unanimous decision to drop it. However, as Jan assesses the gravity of the situation, he uncovers a significant opportunity within the environmental crisis indicating that local tanneries may hold the key to multiple fatalities.

The plot thickens as Jan steps up to challenge deux major corporations—Beatrice Foods and W. R. Grace and Company—believing that not only could this case earn him considerable financial reward, but also salvage the dignity of his law firm. An arduous class action lawsuit ensues where, despite Jan’s keen legal acumen, he faces daunting opposition from seasoned defense lawyers like Jerry Facher.

In the throes of litigation, Jan plunges deeper into a maze of scientific evidence requiring expertise from geologists and engineers, revealing the contaminated origins of the townspeople’s water supply. Despite the backlash and dwindling finances, he refuses to settle easily, insisting that the case reaches beyond mere compensation—it’s about accountability and securing a safer future for the community.

As tension escalates within his firm, relying on loans and personal assets to keep afloat, Jan endures a heart-wrenching trial filled with setbacks. A pivotal ruling by Judge Walter J. Skinner prevents victims from testifying, creating a tremendous hurdle for Jan’s case. Ultimately, though he fights valiantly, the outcome leaves him and the families disillusioned, resulting in a meager settlement and the dissolution of his law firm.

Left with nothing but a small apartment and shattered dreams, Jan’s journey doesn’t conclude in defeat. Years later, his relentless pursuit of justice and environmental responsibility prompts the EPA to take action against the corporations involved, extracting millions for cleanup efforts. Despite the scars left by the battle, Jan finds renewed purpose, now practicing environmental law in New Jersey, having turned the page on a challenging chapter in his life.