What is a class action lawsuit?

A class action lawsuit is a legal action taken by one or more people on behalf of themselves and a group of people who have all suffered similar losses. It is a type of civil lawsuit that allows a large group of people to join together and seek compensation when they are harmed by the same person or entity. In Virginia, class action lawsuits can be filed in both state and federal court. In a class action lawsuit, one or more people, known as the class representatives, act on behalf of the entire group of people affected. The class representative has the responsibility of bringing the case to court and can be awarded a percentage of any settlement or judgment granted to the class. The class representative cannot settle or make any decisions without approval from the court. The class action lawsuit procedure in Virginia includes a series of steps which must be taken before the case can move forward. First, the plaintiff must file paperwork notifying the court of the claim and detailing the losses suffered by the class of people. The court will then consider the merits of the case and determine if the claim can proceed as a class action lawsuit. If the judge approves the lawsuit, the plaintiff must establish the class by notifying all the members of the group of their right to join the suit. Class action lawsuits are a powerful way for individuals to seek justice when they are affected by similar wrongful acts. It provides a unified platform for victims of the same incident to stand together and seek compensation.

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What is a class action lawsuit?

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