Final answer:
Judge Simmons' decision awarded a $333 million settlement to the plaintiffs of Hinkley in a suit against PG&E for water contamination with Cr(VI), marking the largest direct-action lawsuit award in the U.S. at that time.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the legal case between the people of Hinkley, California and Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E), the decision was a landmark victory for the plaintiffs. Erin Brockovich, a legal file clerk, along with lawyer Edward Masry, exposed the link between serious illnesses in the town and groundwater contamination from Cr(VI), used by PG&E.
The contamination lawsuit concluded in 1996 with a settlement of $333 million, which stood as the largest direct-action lawsuit award in the United States at that time. This decision not only addressed the significant health impact on the residents but also highlighted the corporate responsibility for environmental negligence. It served as a critical example of the intersection of law, health, and environmental advocacy.