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

A class action lawsuit is when a group of people bring a lawsuit to court against another party or group. It is different from an individual lawsuit in that it involves more than one person and is filed as a single claim. It can be an effective way for parties to seek justice where individual lawsuits may not be as effective. In New York, class action lawsuits are regulated by the Civil Practice Law and Rules Article 9. Generally, in order to bring a class action lawsuit, the group of plaintiffs must have a shared legal injury that is similar in nature. They must also be able to show that their interests are commonly affected and that the dispute can be resolved through a single resolution. Individual lawsuits on the other hand, involve a single plaintiff and are brought to court in an effort to seek relief for a specific issue or injury. While these lawsuits may be effective in certain situations, it is not always possible for one individual to take on a group or larger entity that may have wronged them. Class action lawsuits can be an effective means for plaintiffs to seek justice when individual lawsuits are not feasible. They give society a way to hold groups and corporations accountable, providing justice for many people instead of just one person.

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