What is the difference between a class action lawsuit and an individual lawsuit?

A class action lawsuit is a legal claim filed by a group of people who have all experienced the same issue or suffered the same harm. This type of lawsuit is beneficial because it allows a large group of people to seek redress from a single defendant. On the other hand, an individual lawsuit is a legal claim brought forward by a single person or entity seeking redress from a single defendant. In California, a class action lawsuit must meet certain criteria in order to be accepted by a court. The group that brings the lawsuit must have suffered a common issue or harm, and the damages suffered by each individual must be approximately the same. In addition, the class must be ascertainable, and the class members must be able to identify themselves in order to participate in the lawsuit. Class action lawsuits in California are beneficial for those who have suffered the same harm because they allow a large group of people to seek redress from a single defendant without exhausting the resources of each individual. In contrast, an individual lawsuit requires the plaintiff to bear the entire burden of litigation costs, as well as the cost of hiring an attorney. This can be a daunting and expensive task for an individual, and individuals may choose to file a class action lawsuit instead.

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What is the difference between a class action lawsuit and an individual lawsuit?

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