Fololio Mulagia
In May of 2011 a Samoan schoolteacher by the name of Folole Muliaga was sent home from
a New Zealand hospital suffering from a terminal illness called cardiomyopathy. Because,
doctors believed she did not have much longer to live she was sent home with two oxygen
tanks to help aid her with her illness. McNaughton (2006) states that on May 29 a contractor
for Vircom EMS was sent by Mercury Energy to the Muliaga’s home to disconnect the
electricity supply. Mrs. Muliaga pleaded with the contractor to keep the electricity because of her
health condition but he disagreed. A few short hours later Mrs. Muliaga would perish. Prior to
the Muliaga’s electricity being disconnected, the family had an outstanding balance of $168.00,
and could not afford to pay the bill. The case of Folole Muliaga would later be broadcast around
the world capturing the attention of many government officials. This paper will cover many
aspects including but not limited to: the consequences and outcomes of the scenario, the illegal
and unethical aspects of the Mercury Company, was the role of the coroner and police
department justifiable, and lastly, what reforms and guidelines were put in place as a result of the
devastating tragedy?
Evaluate Ethical Behavior: The Historical Case of Folole Muliaga
Folole Muliaga, a 44 year old terminally ill mother of four suffering from cardiomyopathy
perished after not being able to pay a $168.00 electricity bill. As a result of Mrs. Muliaga
sickness she was unable to continue her teaching career which brought in the majority of the
household income. Johnston (2007) states that Mercury Energy was unaware that
disconnecting power to a South Auckland home could have potentially life-threatening
consequences. The resulted consequence was too harsh; to disconnect the electricity given that
Mrs. Muliaga was just released from the hospital days earlier. The major price
a New Zealand hospital suffering from a terminal illness called cardiomyopathy. Because,
doctors believed she did not have much longer to live she was sent home with two oxygen
tanks to help aid her with her illness. McNaughton (2006) states that on May 29 a contractor
for Vircom EMS was sent by Mercury Energy to the Muliaga’s home to disconnect the
electricity supply. Mrs. Muliaga pleaded with the contractor to keep the electricity because of her
health condition but he disagreed. A few short hours later Mrs. Muliaga would perish. Prior to
the Muliaga’s electricity being disconnected, the family had an outstanding balance of $168.00,
and could not afford to pay the bill. The case of Folole Muliaga would later be broadcast around
the world capturing the attention of many government officials. This paper will cover many
aspects including but not limited to: the consequences and outcomes of the scenario, the illegal
and unethical aspects of the Mercury Company, was the role of the coroner and police
department justifiable, and lastly, what reforms and guidelines were put in place as a result of the
devastating tragedy?
Evaluate Ethical Behavior: The Historical Case of Folole Muliaga
Folole Muliaga, a 44 year old terminally ill mother of four suffering from cardiomyopathy
perished after not being able to pay a $168.00 electricity bill. As a result of Mrs. Muliaga
sickness she was unable to continue her teaching career which brought in the majority of the
household income. Johnston (2007) states that Mercury Energy was unaware that
disconnecting power to a South Auckland home could have potentially life-threatening
consequences. The resulted consequence was too harsh; to disconnect the electricity given that
Mrs. Muliaga was just released from the hospital days earlier. The major price