What is a class action lawsuit?

A class action lawsuit is a legal case in which one party represents a group of people in a lawsuit against another party. It usually involves a large group of people who have suffered the same kind of harm, such as financial losses. In California, a class action lawsuit must meet certain criteria in order to be certified by the court. Those criteria involve a determination of whether the class is so large that it would be impractical to hear each individual’s case in court. There also has to be a common issue of law or fact that affects all class members, and the class representatives must have similar claims and defenses. Once a class action lawsuit is certified, notice is sent out to all class members informing them of the lawsuit and the potential recovery. Class members then have the option of either joining the lawsuit or opting out. Those who join the lawsuit will be bound by the court’s final decision, even if it’s not in favor of the class. If the case is successful, each class member will receive a share of the damages awarded. Class action lawsuits allow people who have suffered similar losses to seek justice and restitution without having to take on costly legal fees. By filing a class action lawsuit, a group of people can take on a powerful adversary and make their voices heard.

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What is a class action lawsuit?

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