What is a class action lawsuit?

A class action lawsuit is a legal action filed on behalf of a group of people who have suffered from the same harm or loss caused by a common defendant. The group, which is known as the “class,” is represented by one or more named plaintiffs, who act as the class representatives. Class action lawsuits are most commonly used to address large-scale cases involving multiple parties, such as when a company has caused personal injury or economic damages to a large number of people. In a class action lawsuit, the damages or relief sought is usually too large for any individual plaintiff to pursue on their own. In Washington, class action lawsuits are governed by the Washington Consumer Protection Act. This law allows class action lawsuits to be filed against individuals or companies that have harmed the interests of members of the public, whether by deceptive acts, unfair practices, or any other violation of the Act. The relief that the court may award in a class action lawsuit is limited to compensatory and/or punitive damages, as well as injunctive relief, meaning a court order enjoining the defendant to change its practices. Class action lawsuits are an important tool for seeking justice on behalf of large numbers of people who have suffered the same harm. The ability to band together in a class action lawsuit allows plaintiffs to seek justice that would be inaccessible to them if they pursued individual lawsuits.

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What is a class action lawsuit?

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