Pursue Justice for Your Injuries with a Class Action Lawsuit
A class action lawsuit allows a group of individuals with similar complaints to sue as a united body. There are many instances which can call for class action, from defective products to employment practices. A class action suit enables multiple parties with relatively minor injuries to group together the value of their individual claims for a stronger and more effective case.
At Tawwater Law Firm, PLLC, our class action lawsuit attorneys have the resources and connections to pursue compensation in a wide variety of class action and mass tort litigation. Our Oklahoma City, OK, firm has helped clients collect compensation for over 36 years. Contact our office online or call us toll-free at (866) 319-7300 to schedule a free legal consultation today.
Understanding Class Action Suits
In order to label a case as a class action lawsuit, there must be a significant number of people who have suffered the same or similar injuries. This group is known as a “class.” Banding together to sue as a class allows individuals to unite their legal representation, evidence, witnesses, and other relevant aspects of the case. It also boosts the value of the overall claim. Depending on the circumstances of the case, we may recommend pursuing lawsuit as a mass tort. This special type of class action case recognizes each plaintiff separately, rather than grouping them together as a single legal body.
A class action lawsuit can target a wide range of violations, including:
- Dangerous and defective drugs or medical devices
- Securities fraud
- Manufacturing errors
- Consumer fraud
- Corporate misconduct
- Employment practices, such as discrimination or harassment cases
At Tawwater Law Firm, we represent a wide variety of clients in both class action and mass tort litigations, such as the Bextra® Lawsuit and the Smith and Nephew Knee Implants case.
The Class Action Process
In a mass tort litigation, one or more plaintiffs file the claim on behalf of the class. These individuals become the named, or lead, plaintiffs. Since they represent the class, their injuries must be indicative of the claims the class has in common.
Oftentimes, a class action suit is filed by only a portion of the total individuals affected by original problem. Because the final outcome of the case may impact every person affected, whether they are part of the suit or not, lawyers must notify them to the suit and give them the opportunity to opt in or out.
Without a class action decision, payment from the defendant occurs on a first-come, first-serve basis.
If you opt in, you are subject to the court's final judgement, even if you never actively participate in the suit. If the court rules in favor of the defendant, you cannot pursue an individual case against them. If they rule in favor of the class, all members will receive a certain percentage of the settlement or a set dollar amount as compensation for their injuries.
Benefits to Class Action Litigation
In many cases, class action lawsuits bring together thousands of claims that would be impractical to litigate individually. It often lowers the cost of litigation and makes the process more efficient for everyone involved. Additionally, class action seeks to ensure that all injured plaintiffs receive some form of compensation, even if it is not enough to fully cover damages. Without a class action decision, payment from the defendant occurs on a first-come, first-serve basis: not everyone is guaranteed compensation.
Schedule a Free Case Evaluation
At Tawwater Law Firm, we have defended individuals against large companies and organizations for over 36 years. Contact our office online or call us at (866) 319-7300 today to schedule a free case evaluation.
