How does class certification affect a class action lawsuit?

Class certification is a formal process in which the court determines whether a lawsuit can proceed as a class action. In Kansas, the courts must consider a variety of factors when determining whether to certify a class of plaintiffs. These considerations include whether the class is sufficiently numerous, whether there are questions of law or fact common to the class, whether the claims of the class representatives are typical of the claims of the class, and whether the class representatives will adequately and fairly protect the interests of the class. Once the court certifies a class, each member of that class must be notified of their status. This is often done by publishing notice in newspapers or sending direct mailings. This gives class members the opportunity to opt out or file their own individual suits. Class certification is an important step in class action lawsuits because it allows a single group of plaintiffs to represent the interests of the entire class. This eliminates the need for each individual to file a separate suit, which can be costly and time consuming. Additionally, a class action lawsuit can increase the visibility of the issue, potentially leading to a more meaningful resolution to the dispute. Finally, class certification gives the plaintiffs in the case added bargaining power when negotiating a settlement. Statistically, many class action lawsuits result in larger awards to the class as a whole due to the increased leverage that comes with representing a large group of plaintiffs.

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How does class certification affect a class action lawsuit?

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