What is the difference between a medical malpractice lawsuit and a class-action lawsuit?

Medical malpractice lawsuits and class-action lawsuits are both forms of civil litigation, but there are important differences between them. In a medical malpractice lawsuit, one or more patients sue a health care provider or facility for physical, psychological, or financial harm allegedly caused by negligence or misconduct. The plaintiff, or “patient,” must prove that the Defendant breached the applicable standard of care, and that this breach caused the harm the patient suffered. In contrast, a class-action lawsuit is brought by one or more named plaintiffs (generally, a small group of individuals who experienced similar issues) on behalf of an entire class of similarly situated persons. A class-action lawsuit is usually brought to address a systemic problem, such as a defective product, a recurring violation of consumer protection laws, or a pattern of unlawful practices. The Court must certify the class after evaluating some criteria, such as whether the claims of the class members share common questions of law or fact. When a class-action lawsuit is successful, the judgment is generally a monetary award or other remedy that applies to everyone in the class. In medical malpractice cases, however, the result is usually a specific remedy that may vary depending on the individual’s circumstances. In California, a medical malpractice lawsuit must be brought within three years of the date of the connected negligent act or omission. Class-action lawsuits in California may have different filing deadlines, depending on the legal issue at hand.

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What is the difference between a medical malpractice lawsuit and a class-action lawsuit?

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