Jan Shlichtmann Case Study

In Woburn, Massachusetts, children and adults have been struck with poor health conditions due to pollution in the town’s local supply of water. Jan Schlichtmann, a successful Boston attorney is assigned to the case, but is confronted with difficulties when he can’t directly prove that pollution was occuring due to the actions of Beatrice Foods and W.R Grace and Company. This is when Al Love comes forward to give Jan the information he needs to further solidify the specific culprit of the case against these companies. Due to Al’s selflessness, loyal spirit, and strong moral compass, his eventual revealing of pertinent information proves to be essential in forming a case against Beatrice Foods and W.R Grace and Company.

Al Love is initially hesitant to reveal the data he has on Beatrice Foods and their unsafe dumping of TCE into Woburn’s

For example, Al initially withholds the information Jan needed to convict the tannery he was working for because he feared what ramifications coming forward might have on his job and on his family. Even though Al realized that the company’s way of disposing of waste was causing problems in Woburn, he withheld the information to convict the companies responsible because his large family needed that money to live, feed their children, and more likely, to pay for their son’s anti-seizure medicine. He was also very loyal toward the company where others also relied on both companies to fulfil their financial needs. Also, his loyal tendencies blinded him from the more severe effects that pollution dumping in Woburn could cause. But, when Jan informed Al that the problems he faced with his son suddenly developing a seizure disorder could be associated with the water his family was drinking, he came forward almost immediately afterward. This highlights that Al’s loyalty toward those he cares about outweighs his aspirations of personal