What is the typical timeline of a class action lawsuit?

A class action lawsuit typically begins with the filing of a complaint by an attorney or group of attorneys on behalf of a group of people (called a class) who have allegedly been harmed or suffered losses due to the same wrongful behavior or negligence of a defendant. This complaint provides an overview of the facts of the case, the legal claims that will be asserted, and the relief sought by the plaintiffs. After the complaint is filed, the defendants (the people or entities accused of wrongdoing) must respond to the complaint by filing an answer with the court. This answer typically includes information to refute the complaint or claim that any negative behavior was not in fact wrongful or negligent. After the parties exchange pleadings, the court will generally schedule the case for a preliminary hearing. During this hearing, the court will consider motions and arguments from both sides and decide whether to allow the case to proceed as a class action lawsuit. If the court allows the case to proceed, it will select a representative plaintiff, who will be responsible for representing the interests of the entire class. From this point, the class action lawsuit may proceed to discovery, during which both parties exchange relevant evidence and the attorneys prepare for trial. If the parties are unable to settle the case at this point, the lawsuit will proceed to trial. During trial, the plaintiffs will present their case to the jury, and the jury will decide whether the defendant is responsible for damages and whether the plaintiff is entitled to compensation. Once the trial has concluded, the court will issue a verdict on the case. Depending on the outcome, the class action lawsuit may be dismissed, or the defendant may be ordered to pay damages to the class. The entire timeline of a class action lawsuit can vary greatly but typically takes 12-18 months to complete.

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What is the typical timeline of a class action lawsuit?

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