Class Action

Class action lawsuits allow individuals to fight back against wrongdoing by large corporate actors. When large groups of people are victimized in a similar way, no matter how small the individual act of wrongdoing is, the group can file a class action lawsuit to seek compensation for everyone affected by the organization’s unlawful actions. Our team of experienced class action attorneys pride themselves on their ability to take the fight to corporate lawbreakers and achieve justice for for every harm inflicted, no matter how small.

What is a Class Action Lawsuit?

In a class action lawsuit, one or more people who have suffered harm, or “plaintiffs,” can file and prosecute a lawsuit together on behalf of a larger group of individuals, the “class.”

In this way, multiple plaintiffs with the same complaint or injury can file a claim for a portion of a single large settlement that takes every claim into account. Once the Court “certifies” the class, any verdicts or settlements won are shared among all members of the class.

While all members of the class filing a class action lawsuit are claiming to be affected by the defendant’s actions, only the lead plaintiff’s case is tried in court.

Is a Class Action Lawsuit Different Than a Mass Tort?

Unlike a mass tort case, class action lawsuits do not typically require your individual participation in the case unless you are one of the lead plaintiffs. Instead, a “named plaintiff,” who is one of the injured people, and their attorney or attorneys, who are designated “lead counsel,” act on behalf of the entire group of plaintiffs, known as the class. Other members of the class who are “absent” do not typically participate in the lawsuit aside from filing a claim, but they are entitled to a distribution of any settlement or jury award resulting from the case. Class members also have the choice to opt out of the class action.

On the other hand, in mass tort cases, multiple unique claims are brought by each individual who suffered the same type of injury, harm, or damages. Each individual who files a claim in a mass tort lawsuit — not just the “lead plaintiff” — is a party to the lawsuit even if many individual parties are making claims.

Unlike class action lawsuits, every party making a claim in a mass tort lawsuit has made the individual decision to file a claim, so there is no reason for anyone to opt out. Each client in a mass tort case is seeking their own specific claim for compensation, as opposed to a distribution from a larger settlement or award.

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Contact a Class Action Attorney to Find Out What Your Case is Worth Today

Our dedicated class action lawyers fight for our clients and hold corporate lawbreakers accountable. If you have a claim in a class action lawsuit and need an experienced class action attorney, contact us today for a free consultation.

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