What is the difference between class action and single plaintiffs lawsuits?

Class action lawsuits are legal claims brought by a group of people who have suffered the same kind of harm, while a single plaintiff lawsuit is brought by just one person with the same type of harm. In a class action lawsuit, a single “representative” of the group is usually chosen to represent the entire group. The representative stands in for the whole group, suing on behalf of all the people who have been affected by the same harm. This way, instead of filing hundreds of lawsuits, the attorneys can bring the lawsuit just once on behalf of the whole group. Single plaintiff lawsuits, on the other hand, are only for one person rather than a group. The single plaintiff will usually seek legal damages to cover their losses, including any medical costs and lost wages related to their particular situation. The outcomes of both class action and single plaintiff lawsuits can vary. The outcome for a class action depends on the circumstances, while the outcome for a single plaintiff may depend on the individual’s specific case. The court may decide to award a single plaintiff more in damages than a class action, depending on the facts of the case. Class action and single plaintiff lawsuits also differ in terms of the time it takes to resolve the case. Class actions are often longer and more complex than single plaintiff suits because of the multiple litigants involved. On the other hand, a single plaintiff lawsuit may be resolved relatively quickly if the parties can reach a settlement.

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