When a big corporation or other entity harms a large group of people, those individuals may be able to come together under the law to seek justice. Sometimes, plaintiffs injured in the same way by the same defendant can file a class action lawsuit.
If a retailer, employer, manufacturer, or other institution harmed or discriminated against you, Ben Crump Law, PLLC can review your claims and help you understand if you may be a party to a class action lawsuit. An Albuquerque class action lawsuits lawyer can pursue compensation for you and other members of the class. For more information, contact our team at (800) 709-1441.
How a Class Action Lawsuit May Benefit You
Class action lawsuits can be beneficial to both the plaintiffs involved in the case and the court system. According to The Balance, class actions lawsuits may:
- Ensure fairness -– Class action lawsuits help make sure that plaintiffs harmed in a similar way are equally compensated. Imagine there are 100 plaintiffs with similar claims and each of them takes their case to court separately. The result could be 100 different verdicts. If each case is brought one at a time, the defendant could run out of funds with which to settle before all of the plaintiffs have been compensated. In a class action suit, a court makes one judgment, and one settlement is equally divided among the plaintiffs.
- Be cost-effective – Say you suffered a few hundred dollars in damages because of a manufacturing defect. It would be too expensive to sue the product’s maker for such a small sum. However, in a class action lawsuit, defendants may seek relatively small awards that would not be financially worthwhile to go to court over alone. This is because the defendants share the expenses of legal fees and court costs. Additionally, an Albuquerque class action lawsuits lawyer will work on contingency, meaning suing as part of a class will cost you nothing. Your attorney’s fees come out of any settlement won by the class.
- Lessen the legal burden – In a class action lawsuit, one or more lead plaintiffs represent the legal class. The other members of the class are usually not required to actively take part in court proceedings. This means that you may not have to spend any time in negotiations or inside of a courtroom to receive awards. Class action lawsuits also reduce the burden on the court system by consolidating many cases into one.
For a free legal consultation with a class action lawsuits lawyer serving Albuquerque, call (800) 709-1441
Forming a Legal Class
It only takes one plaintiff to begin a class action lawsuit. If you were injured, reach out to an attorney. Others with similar claims may already be working on a class action, or your case may be the basis for a new legal class. According to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, plaintiffs can pursue a class action if:
- There are so many plaintiffs that suing individually would be impractical.
- The defendants have common questions of law or fact.
- The lead plaintiffs fairly and accurately represent the rest of the class.
- Hearing the cases individually would result in inconsistent judgments or would stand in the way of some plaintiffs receiving justice.
Once a class is certified, all members of the class will be notified. Often, plaintiffs are automatically included in the class unless they choose to opt out. Your attorney will then attempt to settle the lawsuit outside of court. If a settlement is reached, the defendant will pay an agreed-upon amount, which will be divided among members of the class. If the class action goes to court, your attorney and the lead plaintiff or plaintiffs will represent you. A judge and jury will determine the outcome of the case.
Albuquerque Class Action Lawsuits Lawyer Near Me (800) 709-1441
Awards You May Win
Class action lawsuits are a type of personal injury law. If you can prove the defendant’s negligence caused you to suffer monetary damages, you can be compensated. You may receive awards for medical bills, property damages, and time lost at work. If your case goes to court, you can also seek awards for pain and suffering. Class action lawsuits may also include punitive damages. In New Mexico, you must file your personal injury claims in court within three years of the time your injury occurred, according to New Mexico Statutes § 37-1-8.
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Types of Class Action Lawsuits
An Albuquerque class action lawsuits lawyer can take on cases related to:
- Discrimination – The Civil Rights Act of 1964 makes it illegal for schools, businesses, and public entities to discriminate against anyone based on their religion, race, sex, color, or country of origin. If you have been the victim of discrimination, reach out to an attorney.
- Environmental hazards – The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) establishes regulations and standards to ensure all Americans have clean water, land, and air. If a corporation or other entity caused you or a loved one to suffer illnesses or injuries because of unsafe or illegal environmental practices, you may be able to stand up to them as part of a legal class.
- Defective products – If a product that was incorrectly designed, labeled, or manufactured caused your injuries, you may have the basis for a class action suit against the manufacturer, retailer, or distributor.
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Find Out More About Class Actions Today
If a major manufacturer, large company, or government entity harmed you, a class action lawsuit may be an effective means of holding them accountable. You can join with others to make your voices heard and make the entity that hurt you pay.
Your lawsuit does not have to add to your stress. An Albuquerque class action lawsuits lawyer will represent you and keep you updated on the status of your case. The beauty of a class action lawsuit is that you do not have to be bogged down by court proceedings or legal fees to collect awards. Call Ben Crump Law, PLLC at (800) 709-1441. Our team is ready to discuss your case and get you started with a no-risk consultation.
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