What is the difference between a plaintiff class and a defendant class?

The difference between a plaintiff class and a defendant class in Washington is key to understanding class action lawsuits. A plaintiff class is made up of individuals who are bringing a lawsuit together because they have been harmed in a similar way by the same defendant. The class is made up of the plaintiffs, who share a common legal interest, and a representative plaintiff that is responsible for leading the lawsuit in court. This representative plaintiff usually has the most to gain from a possible settlement. A defendant class is made of all the individuals who are being sued by the representative plaintiff and the rest of the plaintiff class. The defendant class is responsible for defending themselves in court and trying to reach a settlement with the plaintiff class. The defendant class usually has the most to lose from a settlement and therefore, must be careful to protect its interests. Class action lawsuits are complex, and understanding the difference between a plaintiff class and a defendant class is essential to properly understanding them. Both classes must ensure that their interests are protected throughout the legal process, and both classes have their own legal rights and duties in the lawsuit.

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What is the difference between a plaintiff class and a defendant class?

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