Answered step by step
Verified Expert Solution
Link Copied!

Question

1 Approved Answer

Analyze the following case study: Oscar Madison is a mid-level manager at Henderson Aircraft Company, the manufacturer of a new, sophisticated military helicopter that has

Analyze the following case study:

Oscar Madison is a mid-level manager at Henderson Aircraft Company, the manufacturer of a new, sophisticated military helicopter that has been in development since the early 1990s. The project has been plagued with problems. After the first 12 helicopters were delivered to the U.S. Army, two crashed. The remaining 10 were grounded until it could be determined what caused the crashes. This was not the first instance when a mechanical or design problem interfered with these aircraft's deployment. Henderson Aircraft employs nearly 4,700 workers and is the largest employer in Big Bend, Kansas, and the surrounding region.

3 days after the helicopters were grounded, Sean O'Grady, a reporter for the Big Bend Bulletin, received a call from Madison, who said he wanted to talk with the reporter. At the meeting, Madison told O'Grady that he would tell him what was wrong with the new helicopters in exchange for a promise not to reveal his identity. Madison said he was a loyal employee of Henderson Aircraft but that this helicopter seemed to have 1 problem after another. Someday soon, Madison said, a pilot is going to be killed because of the faulty design. Madison said that his 23-year-old son is a U.S. Army helicopter pilot and that he was fearful that his son might end up flying one of these defective aircraft. After O'Grady agreed to protect Madison's identity, the manager revealed that the aircraft's problem was a substandard rotor blade. Madison said that the company bought the blades from an unlicensed and disreputable manufacturer that uses cheaper metal in fabricating the rotor blades. Henderson Aircraft tried to save money by buying the cheaper blades because development costs for the helicopter were higher than expected.

O'Grady told his editor about Madison's allegations and was assigned to write the story. Late in the day, Big Bend Bulletin publisher, Kate Jackson, heard about the story and immediately ordered the editor not to write the story. She explained that the story would seriously harm Henderson Aircraft and that the company is too important to the local economy for the Bulletin to publish the story. A story like the one Madison told O'Grady would anger Henderson Aircraft, its employees, and many readers who rely on the Henderson payroll to keep their own businesses going, Jackson said. The editor and O'Grady protested. After a discussion, Jackson agreed to publish a modified version of O'Grady's story. She insisted that the source of the allegations about the rotor blades be named in the story. She said O'Grady must also point out that Oscar Madison is only a midlevel manager at Henderson, someone who might not really understand what is going on. Jackson said she believed this would lower the news report's credibility and make it easier for Henderson to deny the allegations. Faced with no story or using the source's name, O'Grady agreed to name his source.

Following the story's publication, Henderson's spokesperson denied any problem with the rotor blades. A week later, the company fired Oscar Madison, ostensibly because of an unfavorable annual evaluation. Madison, who has a large mortgage, 2 children in college, and other financial obligations, sued the Bulletin for revealing his name after promising not to.

  • What type of lawsuit would Oscar Madison most likely file?
  • What will Madison have to prove to the court to win his case?
  • Is it likely that Madison will win?Explain your answer.

Please also Citing references to support your ideas

Step by Step Solution

There are 3 Steps involved in it

Step: 1

blur-text-image

Get Instant Access to Expert-Tailored Solutions

See step-by-step solutions with expert insights and AI powered tools for academic success

Step: 2

blur-text-image

Step: 3

blur-text-image

Ace Your Homework with AI

Get the answers you need in no time with our AI-driven, step-by-step assistance

Get Started

Recommended Textbook for

Environmental Regulation Law Science And Policy

Authors: Robert V. Percival, Christopher H. Schroeder, Alan S. Miller, James P. Leape

9th Edition

1543826164, 978-1543826166

More Books

Students also viewed these Law questions

Question

Go, do not wait until I come

Answered: 1 week ago

Question

Make eye contact when talking and listening

Answered: 1 week ago