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

A class action lawsuit is when a group of people who have been impacted by the same situation, or have a common issue to resolve, unite to take legal action against a defendant. This type of lawsuit typically occurs when individuals have been wrongfully harmed, but the damages incurred are too small for each individual to pursue legal action individually. The group of plaintiffs come together to represent themselves as a single legal entity, thus significantly increasing the power of their claims. In contrast, an individual lawsuit is when a single plaintiff takes legal action against a defendant. In an individual lawsuit, the plaintiff is representing himself/herself and cannot rely on the collective support of a group of individuals. This type of lawsuit is typically used when one person has suffered a substantial loss or experienced other harms more significant than would be seen in a class action. In Hawaii, class action lawsuits are handled in accordance with the standards of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. The Hawaii state court system provides guidance on the filing process of a class action lawsuit, as well as the expected outcome. The court system also provides support for individuals who want to pursue an individual lawsuit. Overall, the differences between a class action lawsuit and individual lawsuit are significant and based on the type of legal action one wishes to pursue. Those seeking legal action for smaller losses can benefit from a class action lawsuit, while those looking for more substantive damages should consider filing an individual lawsuit.

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

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