Class Action Lawsuits - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

A class action lawsuit is when one or several people file a case against a company, person, or persons. If the defending party has harmed many people, these people can be contacted by a class action attorney and allowed to join the lawsuit. Below are some of the most frequently asked questions people have about class action lawsuits.

Q: How big is a class action lawsuit?

A: Sometimes a great number of people can get involved with this type of lawsuit. In fact, sometimes there are so many involved that not all of them can fit into the courtroom and the judge must appoint a lead plaintiff to act on behalf of everyone.

Q: How do I know if I should join a class action lawsuit?

A: It is up to you whether or not you should join in a specific lawsuit. For example, if a company is being sued over a defective product that has harmed many people, it can be a good idea to join if you also used that defective product and were hurt as a result. However, if you were not hurt by the product, it may not do you any good to join as you have not sustained injuries like the others in the case. Usually the members of the lawsuit will locate others who may have been affected and mail them information regarding the case. People can then decide to opt into the suit or stay out of it.

Q: How is the attorney(s) paid in a class action suit?

A: The personal injury attorneys working on the class action lawsuit are often only paid if they win the case. Their pay is then deducted from whatever the settlement amount is before it is distributed to the plaintiffs involved. The court fees can vary depending on the quantity of work, the result, the difficulty the case presents, and any potential risks involved.

Q: What compensation can I expect from a class action lawsuit settlement?

A: The compensation you receive all depends upon many factors, such as the severity of the injuries sustained, any wage loss, pain and suffering experienced, and other possible reasons. The defending party must decide to either settle outside of court or be ordered by the court to pay before you will receive anything.