A class-action lawsuit is a lawsuit in which a large number of people who have been similarly harmed by a wrongful action join together to litigate their claims in one case. This is often a better approach for injured parties because litigation can be expensive and time-consuming. When claims are litigated in one case, hundreds or thousands of plaintiffs can be represented by one legal team, have evidence analyzed by one set of experts, and otherwise combine their efforts.
A class-action lawsuit also allows for relief in situations where no individual plaintiff’s claim has a high enough value to warrant filing an individual suit. You may have been a party to class actions of this type with no more participation than cashing a small check that arrived in the mail after the case was settled.
The highest-profile class-action lawsuits often involve defective drugs or medical devices such as breast implants that have harmed thousands or tens of thousands of people due to defective design, defective manufacture, or failure to warn patients of known risks. While that type of wrongful action on the part of a pharmaceutical company or medical device manufacturer is often best pursued in this manner, class action lawsuits have much broader application.
Some recent high-profile class-action lawsuits that demonstrate the range of wrongs that can be addressed in this format include:
- A developing Tylenol class-action lawsuit alleging that the product when taken by pregnant women increases the baby’s risk of developing Autism and ADHD.
- A developing dry shampoo class action lawsuit alleging various dry shampoos contain benzene–a known carcinogen.
- Multiple class-action lawsuits against Equifax in connection with the recent data security breach that exposed the personal information of about 143 million people, putting them at risk for identity theft.
- A class-action lawsuit on behalf of sick and elderly Texas prisoners, after 23 heat-related inmate deaths.
- A $130 million class-action lawsuit against the manufacturers of red light cameras and the city of Southlake, Texas.
What is the Difference Between a Class-Action Lawsuit and Mass Torts Litigation?
Class-action lawsuits and mass torts cases both involve large numbers of plaintiffs who have suffered similar injuries or damages based on the same actions or breach of duty on the part of the defendant. The key difference between the two types of litigation is the treatment of the plaintiffs. In a class-action lawsuit, one or more “named plaintiffs” represent the whole class and their damages are representative of the whole class. In a mass tort case, damages must be proven with regard to each plaintiff.
What is the Benefit of Joining a class action?
Joining many Plaintiffs into a class-action lawsuit enables the spreading of litigation costs across many cases instead of being borne by just one case. The co-plaintiffs can now pool their resources to save each client money.
When a court “certifies a class” in a class-action lawsuit, that order permits the attorneys and named plaintiffs to proceed on behalf of all similarly situated injured parties. However, potential plaintiffs may choose to opt out of the class action and pursue claims on their own. Whether it is wise to join or opt out of the class depends on the specifics of your case and your ability and willingness to pursue litigation on your own.
If you receive notice regarding a lawsuit like the music CD case mentioned above, or the recent class action involving the pricing of optical DVD drives sold in the mid-2000s, the decision is usually an easy one. It’s not likely that you’ll pursue direct litigation against the manufacturer who overcharged you by $50 or so a decade ago (and it’s not likely you’ll find an attorney interested in taking on that case on an individual basis). In fact, many people simply don’t bother to opt out of this type of class action, or never read the information they receive in the mail.
Should I Consult a Personal Injury Attorney Before Joining a Class-Action?
If you receive notice that you are a potential plaintiff in a class-action lawsuit and significant damages are involved, you should speak with a personal injury lawyer in Houston experienced in handling cases like yours before making a decision. Participating in a class action requires far less investment of time and is less expensive than pursuing individual litigation. But, most class members receive significantly lower compensation than they might in an individual suit. Therefore, it’s in your best interest to weigh the decision with the guidance of a knowledgeable attorney. You can schedule a free consultation by calling (713) 932-0777 or filling out the form on this page.
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