A class action lawsuit is often the best way to achieve justice when numerous individuals have been harmed by the same wrongful action. Sometimes, a large corporation is responsible for a product or service that injures, defrauds, kills, or otherwise harms many people. In such situations, the injured individuals may work together as a group (or “class”) to take legal action against the defendant.
Thomas Law Offices has an active class action litigation practice headed by top class action attorneys. Through decades of experience, we have honed our expertise in litigating complex class actions. If you were the victim of large-scale consumer fraud, product liability, or unlawful behavior, we can help. Our practice areas cover all legal issues related to class action matters and multidistrict litigation.
At Thomas Law Offices, our lawyers have a history of winning full and fair compensation. Speak to a class action lawyer from our law firm today.
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What Is a Class Action Lawsuit?
A class action lawsuit is a type of representative legal action involving people harmed in the same way—suffering identical or similar injuries through the same defective or wrongful product, service, or action. These individuals join together to file a lawsuit on behalf of themselves and others similarly injured by the defendant(s). Injuries may refer to:
- Physical harm
- Property damage
- Violation of one’s rights
- Financial loss
- Loss of reputation
- Wrongful death
The goal of a class action is to find a solution to a large-scale problem. This type of case goes before a single judge in a single court. Claims are tried on-site in federal and state courts—and even in front of the Supreme Court when necessary. Class action suits depend on jurisdiction. If, for example, a New York court is handling a defective product lawsuit, the action will be consolidated in that court.
A named plaintiff (also called the lead plaintiff or representative plaintiff) will lead the lawsuit. This person is generally responsible for acting as the voice of the larger class. They will be responsible for tasks like hiring and communicating with a class action lawyer.
What Are Common Types of Class Action Lawsuits?
Class action litigation may involve claims against a business that harmed large groups of people. Many class action lawsuits involve product liability, consumer fraud or securities fraud, or violations of antitrust laws.
Examples of major class actions in past years include:
- Defective products
- Consumer fraud
- Antitrust cases
- Discrimination and civil rights violations
- Investment fraud and securities fraud
- Defective pharmaceuticals and medical devices
- Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) baby formula litigation
- Oil spills
- Emissions and environmental harms
- Defective continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines
- Violated antitrust laws
- Workers’ rights violations
- Data breaches
What Are the Benefits of a Class Action Lawsuit?
There are many benefits to consolidating personal injury lawsuits into a single class action. Class action attorneys work to:
Bring Attention to a Serious Issue
A class action can heighten awareness in a way that an individual personal injury lawsuit cannot. When multiple individuals unite with claims about a serious issue like racial discrimination or hazardous infant formula, the public is compelled to listen.
Force Corporations To Make Changes
When negligent or unlawful behavior is exposed, a business often has no choice but to make changes. A private lawsuit may be quietly settled and dismissed. But this is less likely when a large group brings forward claims against a company. Policies that may otherwise be left unchanged can be changed.
Strengthen a Case
A single individual filing a lawsuit may not have the time and resources to make the case successful. The case may be seen as a minor issue instead of the major problem that it actually is. A class action lawsuit can pool the resources of multiple people suffering the same injustice. It can also demonstrate the wide scope of the negligence that led to the injury.
Decrease Litigation Costs
Court costs can be expensive. This cost may deter individuals from filing a legal claim. In the case of a class action lawsuit; however, class members are able to divide the costs of litigation. This makes the cost more manageable for each individual class member.
Win Compensation for All Injured Parties
Class actions can offer a more just outcome to all affected parties. When individual cases go to court, they may reach varying outcomes. While one injured person may be compensated for their injuries, another may be left with nothing. A class action works to equally protect all individuals harmed by the same company or entity.
Help Others Who May Not Have the Means To Take Legal Action
It takes only one person to begin a class action. Many other people may be affected but lack the time, knowledge, or opportunity to begin taking legal action.
All affected individuals don’t need to join the class action lawsuit for it to move forward. After a class has been established and recognized by the court, any potential members will be notified. At that point, the potential member has the choice to join the lawsuit or decline.
What Compensation Is Available in Class Action Lawsuits?
When you meet with a class action attorney from Thomas Law Offices to discuss your legal issue, one of the topics we will cover is the type and amount of compensation that should be awarded. This is one of the most important matters we talk about with our clients. We are always honest and open in these conversations.
At other law firms, you may find an attorney advertising a higher monetary award than another law firm. We know that any attorney advertising this way isn’t being completely honest. Through decades of combined experience, our attorneys know that we can never make a promise about financial award amounts. Instead, we promise that we will:
- Always prioritize your best interest
- Fully understand the way the injury has changed our clients’ lives
- Never be intimidated by a powerful company
- Work toward the highest settlement possible in every case
In most cases, we work on a contingency fee basis, not on hourly rate fees. This means that we don’t get paid unless you do. And we put in whatever time it takes to make your case as successful as possible. We conduct comprehensive research to make sure your damages are fully calculated and can be proven. Whether your case reaches a settlement or goes to trial, we work tirelessly to see you obtain the justice you deserve.
Class Action Litigation Can Work for You
Class actions can hold a negligent business accountable, stop securities fraud, and address other similar claims against corporate negligence. We invite you to learn about how class action litigation can work for you.
Get Help from the Class Action Lawyers of Thomas Law Offices
The lawyers at Thomas Law Offices work across the country to defend plaintiffs in state and federal courts. Our attorneys help clients from New York to Los Angeles and everywhere in between.
We value the attorney-client relationship. Our class action lawyers work hard to ensure that we support you every step of the way—from the initial free consultation all the way to trial. Our attorneys are highly accomplished. Many are listed Super Lawyers and have won numerous awards.
Potential plaintiffs can contact us by phone or by filling out a no-obligation contact form on our online site.
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