Erin Brockovich Biography
Erin Brockovich (born June 22, 1960) is a paralegal, consumer advocate, and environmental activist from the United States.
In 1993, she worked with attorney Ed Masry to build a case against Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) involving groundwater contamination in Hinkley, California.
The Oscar-winning movie Erin Brockovich (2000), starring Julia Roberts as Brockovich and Albert Finney as Masry, was based on their successful legal battle.
Since then, Erin Brockovich has also established herself as a media figure, anchoring the TV shows Final Justice on Zone Reality and Challenge America with Erin Brockovich on ABC. Brockovich Research & Consulting is led by her.
She also serves as a consultant for Shine Lawyers in Australia and Weitz & Luxenberg in New York, both of which specialize in personal injury cases involving asbestos exposure.
She served as a consultant for Girardi & Keese, a now-defunct California legal practice.
Erin Brockovich Wikipedia
Full Name: Erin Pattee Brockovich
Date of Birth: June 22, 1960
Birthplace: Lawrence, Kansas, United States
Nationality: American
Zodiac Sign: Cancer
Education: Lawrence High School, Kansas State University (briefly), and Wade College, Dallas, Texas – Associate’s Degree in Applied Arts
Occupation: Consumer Advocate, Environmental Activist, Author, Public Speaker
Famous For: Uncovering the PG&E water contamination case in Hinkley, California, leading to a $333 million settlement, the largest of its kind in U.S. history.
Movie Adaptation: Erin Brockovich (2000), starring Julia Roberts, who won an Academy Award for Best Actress for the role, and Erin made a cameo as a waitress in the film.
Books: Take It from Me: Life’s a Struggle But You Can Win (2001), and Superman’s Not Coming (2020)
Television: Rebel (2021), a TV series inspired by her life, Final Justice with Erin Brockovich (Lifetime), and Challenge America with Erin Brockovich (ABC)
Notable Legal Involvements: Hinkley, CA vs. PG&E (1996), Kettleman Hills contamination, Beverly Hills oil wells case, Prime Tanning Corp. lawsuit (Missouri), Aliso Canyon Gas Leak (2016), and East Palestine, Ohio train derailment (2023)
Marriages: Shawn Brown (1982–1987), Steven Brockovich (1989–1990), Eric L. Ellis (1998–2012)
Children: Matthew and Katie (with Shawn Brown), and Elizabeth (with Steven Brockovich)
Health: Diagnosed with dyslexia; affected by hexavalent chromium exposure during her environmental work.
Current Work: Runs Brockovich Research & Consulting, hosts her own podcast, Founder of the Erin Brockovich Foundation, and Partnered with Google to track environmental hazards globally
- Net Worth: $10 million
Erin Brockovich’s Early Life and Education
Erin Brockovich was born on June 22, 1960, in Lawrence, Kansas, to Betty Jo (née O’Neal), a journalist, and Frank Pattee, an industrial engineer and football player. She grew up with two brothers, Frank Jr. and Thomas (who passed away in 1992), and a sister, Jodie.
Brockovich graduated from Lawrence High School in 1978 and later attended Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas.
After her time at Kansas State, she transferred to Wade College in Dallas, Texas, where she earned an Associate in Applied Arts Degree.
After graduating, Brockovich moved to Newport Beach, California, and worked briefly as a management trainee at Kmart. In 1981, she won the Miss Pacific Coast beauty pageant.
She married Shawn Brown in 1982, and they had two children, Matthew and Katie, before divorcing in 1987.
Brockovich later remarried Steven Brockovich in 1989, but the marriage ended in divorce within a year. She was pregnant with her third child, Elizabeth, during this time.
Despite facing challenges such as dyslexia throughout her early life, Brockovich was determined to succeed.
Her early years were marked by a series of personal and professional struggles, but these experiences helped shape her tenacity and commitment to fighting for justice, which would define her career later on.
Pacific Gas & Electric Litigation
In 1993, Erin Brockovich became a whistleblower when she raised concerns about a pattern of unexplained illnesses in the town of Hinkley, California.
She played a key role in initiating a lawsuit against Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) on behalf of the residents.
The case, Anderson, et al. v. Pacific Gas & Electric, accused the company of contaminating the town’s drinking water with hexavalent chromium (also known as “chromium 6” or “Cr-VI”).
At the heart of the lawsuit was the Hinkley compressor station, which PG&E had built in 1952 as part of a natural gas pipeline serving the San Francisco Bay Area. Between 1952 and 1966, PG&E used hexavalent chromium in its cooling towers to prevent corrosion.
The wastewater, which contained the toxic substance, was discharged into unlined ponds at the site, eventually seeping into the groundwater and affecting a 2-square-mile area near the plant.
The Regional Water Quality Control Board regulated the site starting in 1968 due to the contamination.
The case was settled in 1996 for a $333 million payout (equivalent to $666.6 million in 2024), marking the largest settlement ever in a direct-action lawsuit in U.S. history at the time.
The law firm Masry & Vititoe, where Brockovich worked as a legal clerk, received $133.6 million ($273.4 million in 2024), while Brockovich herself received $2.5 million as part of her fee.
Other Litigation Involvements
After her success in the Hinkley case, Erin Brockovich continued to collaborate with Edward L. Masry on other significant environmental lawsuits.
One such case targeted the Whitman Corporation for chromium contamination in Willits, California.
Another lawsuit involved 1,200 plaintiffs from the area near PG&E’s Kettleman Hills compressor station in Kings County, California, claiming contamination from the same pipeline as the Hinkley site.
This case was settled in 2006 for $335 million.
In 2003, Brockovich herself dealt with mold contamination in her home in Agoura Hills, California, receiving settlements totaling $430,000 from two parties, plus an undisclosed amount from a third.
This experience further established her as a vocal environmental advocate.
Brockovich and Masry also filed a lawsuit against the Beverly Hills Unified School District in 2003, alleging that oil wells on school grounds were responsible for a spike in cancer cases.
However, tests and investigations failed to support the claims, and the court ruled in favor of the school district.
In 2009, Brockovich helped file a lawsuit against Prime Tanning Corp. in Missouri after waste sludge containing high levels of hexavalent chromium was distributed to farmers as fertilizer, potentially contributing to a higher-than-normal number of brain tumors in the area.
Despite EPA investigations that found no chromium contamination, Brockovich continued to pursue justice for the affected community.
Brockovich also investigated water contamination in Midland, Texas, where hexavalent chromium was found in the water supply of over 40 homes.
She noted that the levels of contamination were even higher than those found in Hinkley.
In 2012, she took on a case involving 14 students in LeRoy, New York, who experienced unexplained medical symptoms.
Initially, she believed environmental pollution from a 1970 railroad derailment was the cause, but the situation was later identified as mass psychogenic illness after extensive medical evaluations.
Brockovich was also involved in efforts to address the Aliso Canyon gas leak in 2016, which affected the community of Porter Ranch in Southern California.
She worked on potential litigation against Southern California Gas for the methane leak, which had a significant impact on local residents.
In 2023, following the Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, Brockovich quickly responded to community concerns about toxic chemical fires and potential groundwater contamination.
Her involvement underscored the need for stronger regulations and infrastructure to protect communities from environmental hazards and long-term damage.
Through these cases, Brockovich has continued her mission to fight for justice and environmental protection, often pointing to the failures of regulatory systems that prioritize profits over people’s health and safety.
Erin Brockovich Awards
Commencement speaker and honorary doctor of laws at Lewis & Clark Law School in Portland, Oregon, in May 2005.
On May 5, 2007, at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California, he was awarded an honorary doctor of humane letters and spoke at the commencement.
Business communication honorary master’s degree from Jones International University in Centennial, Colorado.
Erin Brockovich Movies and Television
Erin Brockovich’s involvement in the Pacific Gas & Electric litigation was the central theme of the 2000 film “Erin Brockovich,” starring Julia Roberts in the title role.
The film earned five Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Original Screenplay.
Julia Roberts won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of Erin Brockovich. Brockovich made a cameo appearance in the film as a waitress named Julia.
Brockovich also featured prominently in the 2012 documentary “Last Call at the Oasis,” which examined water pollution and the broader issue of water scarcity in the United States, particularly focusing on water policy.
In 2021, the television series “Rebel”, loosely based on Brockovich’s life, premiered on ABC. The series, created by Krista Vernoff, depicted a character inspired by Brockovich’s own journey.
Erin Brockovich Books and Articles
Brockovich’s first book, “Take It from Me: Life’s a Struggle But You Can Win” (2001), detailed her personal experiences and struggles.
Her second book, “Superman’s Not Coming” (2020), focused on the state of environmental issues and the need for change.
In 2021, Brockovich authored an article addressing the growing concern about hormone-disrupting chemicals (like PFAS) and their dangerous impact on human fertility.
On February 8, 2022, Brockovich wrote about the Steven Donziger case, a lawyer who won an $18 billion judgment against Chevron but was later jailed for contempt of court after refusing to turn over his phone and computer to Chevron’s legal team.
Erin Brockovich’s Personal Life
Erin Brockovich has three children: a son, Matthew, and a daughter, Katie, from her first marriage to Shawn Brown, and a daughter, Elizabeth, from her second marriage to Steven Brockovich.
Her third husband was Eric L. Ellis, an actor and country musician.
Erin Brockovich Net Worth
Erin Brockovich’s net worth is estimated to be around $10 million as of recent reports. This includes earnings from her work as a consumer advocate, environmental activist, author, public speaker, and her involvement in several lucrative legal cases.
Additionally, her book, public appearances, and the success of the movie Erin Brockovich have contributed significantly to her wealth.
Some Interesting Trivia About Erin Brockovich
1. Real-Life Inspiration: Erin Brockovich’s life story was the inspiration for the 2000 film Erin Brockovich, starring Julia Roberts. Brockovich made a cameo appearance in the movie as a waitress named Julia.
2. Academy Award: Julia Roberts won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of Erin Brockovich in the film.
3. Dyslexia: Brockovich has been dyslexic since childhood, which made her early academic life challenging. However, she overcame it and became one of the most famous consumer advocates in the world.
4. Largest Settlement in U.S. History: The case that Brockovich helped bring against Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) resulted in a $333 million settlement, which was the largest of its kind in U.S. history at the time.
5. Miss Pacific Coast: Before her career in law and activism, Brockovich won the Miss Pacific Coast beauty pageant in 1981.
6. Author: Erin Brockovich wrote a bestselling book titled Take It from Me: Life’s a Struggle But You Can Win in 2001, sharing her personal journey and experiences.
7. Personal Life: She has been married three times and has three children. Her first husband was Shawn Brown, her second was Steven Brockovich, and her third was Eric L. Ellis.
8. Consumer Advocacy: Erin Brockovich continues to work as a consumer advocate and environmental activist, helping communities and individuals fight against environmental hazards.
9. No Legal Background: Despite having no formal legal training, Brockovich’s work on the PG&E case earned her a reputation as a formidable environmental advocate.
10. Environmental Work: Beyond her famous case against PG&E, Brockovich has been involved in numerous lawsuits related to pollution, water contamination, and environmental justice.
Erin Brockovich Social Media
Instagram: @the_real_erin_brockovichInstagram
Facebook: Erin Brockovich OfficialLog in or sign up to view
Twitter: @ErinBrockovich
FAQs
1. Who Is Erin Brockovich?
Erin Brockovich is an American consumer advocate and environmental activist best known for her pivotal role in exposing the contamination of drinking water in Hinkley, California, caused by the Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E).
Her efforts led to a historic $333 million settlement for over 600 residents of Hinkley, which was the largest settlement of its kind in U.S. history.
The 2000 film Erin Brockovich, starring Julia Roberts, was based on her life and involvement in the case. Since then, she has continued her work as an advocate for environmental justice.
2. What made Erin Brockovich famous?
Erin Brockovich became famous for her involvement in the landmark lawsuit against Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) over contamination of drinking water in Hinkley, California, with the toxic chemical hexavalent chromium. The case resulted in a $333 million settlement, one of the largest of its kind in U.S. history.
3. Was Erin Brockovich a lawyer?
No, Erin Brockovich was not a lawyer. She was a legal clerk without any formal legal education.
Despite this, she played a crucial role in the Hinkley case by uncovering vital evidence that led to the lawsuit.
4. What is the significance of the movie Erin Brockovich?
The 2000 film Erin Brockovich, starring Julia Roberts, dramatizes the real-life story of Erin’s work on the PG&E case.
The movie helped bring national and international attention to Brockovich’s advocacy and won Julia Roberts an Academy Award for Best Actress.
5. How did Erin Brockovich discover the PG&E contamination?
While working as a file clerk at a law firm in 1992, Erin Brockovich discovered medical records that indicated unusual patterns of illness in Hinkley, California.
She linked these health problems to water contamination by hexavalent chromium, a toxic chemical used by PG&E at their compressor station.
6. What did Erin Brockovich do after the Hinkley case?
After the success of the Hinkley lawsuit, Brockovich continued her work as a consumer advocate and environmental activist.
She has been involved in numerous lawsuits related to environmental issues, pollution, and public health.
7. How much did Erin Brockovich make from the PG&E lawsuit?
Erin Brockovich received a fee of $2.5 million from the PG&E settlement, which was part of her role in bringing the case to the law firm that represented the Hinkley residents.
8. What are some of Erin Brockovich’s other contributions to environmental activism?
Beyond the PG&E case, Brockovich has worked on several other environmental and consumer advocacy issues, including water contamination cases, mold-related lawsuits, and consumer rights issues.
She also created the Erin Brockovich Foundation, which focuses on environmental health.
9. Has Erin Brockovich written any books?
Yes, Erin Brockovich authored a bestselling book in 2001 titled Take It from Me: Life’s a Struggle But You Can Win, which shares her personal journey and the lessons she learned from her work on the PG&E case.
She also wrote Superman’s Not Coming in 2020.
10. What personal challenges did Erin Brockovich face growing up?
Brockovich faced challenges in her early life, including being diagnosed with dyslexia, which made her academic experience difficult.
Despite these obstacles, she went on to achieve significant success in her personal and professional life.
11. Has Erin Brockovich been involved in any other media projects?
Yes, Erin Brockovich has been featured in various media projects, including the documentary Last Call at the Oasis (2011) about the global water crisis.
She has also hosted TV shows such as Final Justice with Erin Brockovich and Challenge America with Erin Brockovich.
In conclusion
Erin Brockovich’s remarkable journey from a legal clerk to a renowned consumer advocate and environmental activist showcases her determination and courage in fighting for justice.
Her pivotal role in the landmark Hinkley case against PG&E, where she uncovered the dangerous contamination of water with hexavalent chromium, not only changed the lives of hundreds of residents but also brought significant attention to environmental issues.
The success of the case, along with the subsequent film Erin Brockovich, propelled her into the spotlight, and she has since dedicated her life to tackling environmental pollution, advocating for clean water, and supporting communities affected by corporate negligence.
Despite not being formally trained as a lawyer, Brockovich’s commitment and passion have made her a powerful force in the fight for justice, continuing to inspire others through her activism, books, and media appearances.
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