What Is a Class Action Lawsuit?

There are quite a few different types of lawsuits that exist. Lawsuits vary in many ways, from legal proceedings to how long they typically take to resolve. You may have heard about the hair straightener uterine cancer class action lawsuit.

It is certainly a significant lawsuit and it could lead to significant settlements for those affected by hair straighteners over the years. However, you should know the specifics of what a class action lawsuit is so you can know what to expect from that particular lawsuit. Read on to learn more about what a class action lawsuit is, its benefits, and its purpose. 

Class Action Lawsuit 101

It is important to discuss the basics of a class action lawsuit before moving on. A class action lawsuit is a procedural device that allows one plaintiff or multiple plaintiffs to file a lawsuit and prosecute it on behalf of a bigger group. This larger group is known as a class in this context, hence the term class action lawsuit. A class action lawsuit lets courts handle lawsuits that they could not handle if all of the members of the class had to be part of the lawsuit in the form of a named plaintiff. Class action lawsuits have existed for quite some time and they are a useful procedural device for both courts and plaintiffs. 

What Purpose Does a Class Action Lawsuit Serve?

You might expect that there are many purposes that a class action lawsuit can serve. This is certainly true. However, one general purpose that it serves is to give your small claim a greater number of opportunities when it is combined with claims from people who have been affected similarly by a product or situation. This is the main benefit of class action lawsuits for the plaintiffs. Class action lawsuits benefit courts in that they eliminate the need to hear all of the small claims filed in their respective courts. 

In general, people who are part of class action lawsuits have been harmed in some way. This harm can take a variety of forms. There are many things that can cause harm and lead plaintiffs to file class action lawsuits.

Some of these things include employee discrimination, illegal business practices, and defective medication. You may also file a class action lawsuit alongside other plaintiffs due to a breach of contract and false advertising of some sort. It is best to work with an experienced class action lawsuit in order to manage the legal process of the lawsuit and resolve it as well as possible. 

Class Action Lawsuits Also Save You Money

Another benefit of a class action lawsuit is that it does not cost as much money as it would if you went through the process of filing an individual claim. In a class action lawsuit, all the plaintiffs pay an equal portion of the costs and this means it is more affordable for everyone. Additionally, plaintiffs often pay on the basis of a contingency fee. This means you don’t have to pay for any legal expenses if you do not win the case. With this in mind, it is clear to see why many plaintiffs prefer to file a class action lawsuit instead of an individual claim.