What is required to maintain a class action lawsuit?

A class action lawsuit is a type of lawsuit that allows one or more individuals to sue on behalf of a larger group of individuals who have experienced similar legal harm. To maintain a class action lawsuit in the state of Washington, the plaintiff, or group of plaintiffs, must be able to prove each element of their claim and meet the requirements of a class action lawsuit. First, the plaintiff must prove that the class they represent is large enough that it would be impractical for each individual to bring an individual lawsuit. Washington state courts typically allow class action lawsuits when the potential class has over 100 members. Second, the plaintiffs must be able to make a case for common legal issues or questions within the class. Each member of the class must have common claims for legal relief against a single defendant. Third, there must be an identifiable class representative, or a person who brings the case to court on behalf of the other members of the class. This individual should be someone with a strong claim and knowledge of the case. Finally, the class must be “ascertainable,” meaning that the class should be identifiable and its members should be contactable. All members should be able to be notified of any developments with the case, as well as any possible settlements or awards. In Washington state, class action lawsuits are often used when a group of people have been harmed by the same defendant for the same reasons. The conditions for bringing and maintaining a class action lawsuit must be met in order for the case to be heard in court.

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What is required to maintain a class action lawsuit?

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