How is the class of plaintiffs identified and certified?

In class action lawsuits, an identifiable group of individuals who have been wronged in the same way is known as a “class” of plaintiffs. In Washington, the class must meet certain requirements to be certified. First, the court must determine that there are so many members of the class that it would be impractical to bring each individual to court. It is also important to make sure that the class members have all been wronged in the same way. This is so that if the case is decided in favor of the class, the outcome affects all members in the same way. Next, the court must analyze if the class’s legal claims are similar enough that one decision could effectively resolve all the cases. This looks at whether the class members will all benefit from the same type of compensation if a settlement is reached or a verdict is reached at trial. Finally, the judge must determine if the class’s chosen representative or lawyers have the necessary experience and resources to adequately represent the class. The court also will look at who has the most incentive to represent the class properly. This process of identifying and certifying a class of plaintiffs is a key step in a class action lawsuit. It helps the court determine if the claims of the class are valid and that the class is represented properly.

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How is the class of plaintiffs identified and certified?

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