The Definition of Class Action
When people are harmed by another person or entity, they sometimes choose to take legal action in an attempt to regain some of their losses.
Many of these legal actions are filed by individuals or families against one or more companies, people, or organizations.
However, sometimes the actions of one or more companies affect hundreds or even thousands of people adversely.
In these cases, people have a choice between filing individual claims or pooling together to file a class action lawsuit.
These are cases in which one action or lack of necessary action affects multiple individuals, businesses, or families.
They are often filed by one or a few people on behalf of many others.
In some cases, there is only one or a few defendants, but several different entities are named as defendants (i.
e.
, the entities being sued).
Why Class Action Suits Are Filed Depending on the circumstances, this kind of legal claim can have several advantages over filing an individual personal injury claim.
These may include: Efficiency - By filing on behalf of many people, you can eliminate the need for each individual or business to pursue a separate legal action.
This can help decease both the total cost of the claim and the length of time it requires.
Distribution of compensation - When many people file claims against one entity, it is possible that only the first to file will receive compensation; following a certain point, the defendant may no longer have the funds to pay compensation.
A class action lawsuit can help eliminate this issue.
Consistent ruling - If individuals take their claims to the courts, many different verdicts may be reached.
If these verdicts include behaviors that the defendants must implement, they may contradict each other.
A joint lawsuit allows for a single, consistent ruling.
These claims have helped many people receive the compensation they needed to recover from injuries, property damage, or other losses.
In addition, some have led to lasting changes being made in the business, medical, and government fields.
These changes are intended to better protect the rights of all US citizens.
Many of these legal actions are filed by individuals or families against one or more companies, people, or organizations.
However, sometimes the actions of one or more companies affect hundreds or even thousands of people adversely.
In these cases, people have a choice between filing individual claims or pooling together to file a class action lawsuit.
These are cases in which one action or lack of necessary action affects multiple individuals, businesses, or families.
They are often filed by one or a few people on behalf of many others.
In some cases, there is only one or a few defendants, but several different entities are named as defendants (i.
e.
, the entities being sued).
Why Class Action Suits Are Filed Depending on the circumstances, this kind of legal claim can have several advantages over filing an individual personal injury claim.
These may include: Efficiency - By filing on behalf of many people, you can eliminate the need for each individual or business to pursue a separate legal action.
This can help decease both the total cost of the claim and the length of time it requires.
Distribution of compensation - When many people file claims against one entity, it is possible that only the first to file will receive compensation; following a certain point, the defendant may no longer have the funds to pay compensation.
A class action lawsuit can help eliminate this issue.
Consistent ruling - If individuals take their claims to the courts, many different verdicts may be reached.
If these verdicts include behaviors that the defendants must implement, they may contradict each other.
A joint lawsuit allows for a single, consistent ruling.
These claims have helped many people receive the compensation they needed to recover from injuries, property damage, or other losses.
In addition, some have led to lasting changes being made in the business, medical, and government fields.
These changes are intended to better protect the rights of all US citizens.
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