Chapter 73 Section 23

The jury's answer was September 1973.That month, the food machinery factory sealed off a drain through which workers routinely dumped chemical waste.During the deliberations, jurors were unable to set that date, Jury President Robert Fox later said.Until the morning of the last day, it was he who first thought of September 1973, and the other jury members followed suit.But in doing so, three of Woburn's children were ruled out: Jimmy Anderson, Mike Zona and Kevin Kahn, all of whom had been diagnosed with leukemia before September 1973.In other words, according to the jury's verdict, the three children and their families will not be compensated.

Of course, Jane Hilleman wasn't alone in feeling frustrated.W. R. Glass fell three points at the close of trading in New York that day.James Gordon did the math, and it was $15,500. "If tomorrow's "Wall Street Journal" says we won, I'll believe we really won." Jameson paused, and said, "But somehow, I don't feel like I won at all." Sitting around the firm's conference table, Jane Hilleman and his colleagues must face the reality and seriously plan their next steps. "I've given up all hope of this jury," cried outspoken Bill Connolly. "Negotiate with W. R. Glass before you lose all your face."

In fact, Jane also had this idea.This case, which he originally thought could become a milestone in the history of environmental protection and bring wealth and reputation to him and his firm, turned back into an ordinary casualty compensation case in a blink of an eye. Jamon Gordon said that he had just raised the retirement savings of several of them, and if they were careful and there were no accidents, it might last for three months.He doesn't understand the law, but their current economic situation does not allow them to fight a protracted war.No matter what method is used, as long as it can be solved quickly.However, Zhan Meng said that he understands one thing, even if the situation is desperate, the other party should not let the other party see their embarrassment.It is necessary to show a confident demeanor, so that people feel that they are really strong, and they are ready to accompany this lawsuit to the end.As for the claim amount, he thinks US$15 million is more appropriate. "What do you think?" James scanned the crowd one by one, and finally landed on Tom Kelly on his left.

"I agree, fifteen million," said Tom. "I agree too," Bill said. When it was Jane's turn, he hesitated: "25 million." The last one was Kevin Conway, who said: "10 million." "Inexplicable!" Jian En jumped up, gesticulating, spit splashing, "As for you, are you so panic-stricken? Do you think we are at the end of the road, to the point where, ah, just grab a handful and run away .It's so fucking inexplicable!" "It's not like this, Jane, listen to me." Kevin tried to calm his friend down, "The situation is different now. Our priority should be to make this firm survive... In other words, I regard you as more important than my wife and children, because my family depends on this firm."

The place of the first meeting was at the classic and elegant Joffre Hotel. Albert Justi, W. R. Glass's executive vice president and legal counsel and a graduate of Harvard Law School, flew to Boston from New York.Albert is 65 years old this year, and he should be in the same class as Judge Skinner and Jero Fisher. According to the results of their pre-discussion, Jian En set the claim amount between 10 million and 25 million U.S. dollars, but asked for a price of 35 million U.S. dollars, so as to leave room for the other party to bargain. "The price tag is high," Albert said, "but we have to start with a certain amount." He said he would bring the plaintiff's proposal to a board meeting next Thursday, if the Janes wanted to , can go to New York next Friday for the second round of negotiations.

On Thursday afternoon, Jane and his party arrived in New York.They really swollen their faces to pretend to be fat, called a courtesy car at the airport with style, and stayed in the Helms Hotel, which costs $850 a night.The next day, they heard a non-negotiable offer from Albert: $6.6 million.Albert said: "If you want, take it, if you don't want it, leave it (Take it, or leave it)." "He didn't even keep us for lunch!" Jan snorted as soon as he got back to his hotel room. Tom Kelly said in a calming tone: "On the downside, the price is indeed lower than our bottom line, but on the upside, the average price for each family is nearly one million."

Jane blushed and said emphatically, "Is there that much, huh? Cut off our expenses of more than 3 million, and then cut off our 40% commission. How can you meet people in Woburn with my hands empty-handed?" ? Oh, just say to people: 'Thank you for your trust'?" James Gordon said while knocking on the calculator in his hand: "Our cost is actually 2 million, because there was 1.5 million from the United First Uniform Factory before. So each family should get 25 million yuan. million, and no tax.” "250,000 is not too little for them." Kevin Conway also interjected, "Didn't you just say two days ago that Donna Cannon even took a taxi from Boston to Woburn?" I can't bear to sit, so I waited at the station for more than an hour and took a long-distance bus to go back?" He was referring to the day after the jury's verdict, at the invitation of the ABC, Jane En and Donna made a special trip New York, for an interview with the morning television news show "Good Morning America."Kevin said again: "Whether we win or lose, we must close the case as soon as possible. I told you five years ago that this case is a black hole. Can't you see that now it's not just you, all of us People have fallen into this black hole. If we don't jump out of this black hole, we will not be able to move forward."

Jane said: "In fact, I hope that the case can be concluded as soon as possible more than any of you, but I can't accept this kind of conclusion."