In their race to market and their thirst for profits, some large corporations throw public safety issues aside. They negligently design, produce, and disseminate drugs that cause dangerous side effects or even cause long-term injury—and they fail to warn consumers about the risks. They pollute the air and water supplies with toxic chemicals that cause illness and death. They purchase sub-standard parts for their manufacturing process, rolling out dangerous products that put consumers’ safety in jeopardy.
Class action lawsuits serve the important purpose of holding the companies accountable for damages when negligence puts the lives of large groups of people at risk.
If you have suffered an injury or illness due to the negligent acts of a big company, consider calling an El Paso class action lawsuits lawyer from Ben Crump Law, PLLC. We will listen to the details of your case and explain your legal options for pursuing compensation via a class action lawsuit. Call us today at (800) 709-1441 for a free consultation.
Understanding Class Action Lawsuits
In a class action lawsuit, a group of plaintiffs who have suffered similar injury from the same company join forces to sue the entity that caused the harm. One “lead” plaintiff files the lawsuit on behalf of all the injured parties. An unlimited number of people can join the action as plaintiffs, provided the circumstances of their cases sufficiently match those of the lead plaintiff.
Criteria for a Class Action Certification
Class actions must meet strict requirements to proceed. Certification varies among states, as well as within the federal court system. However, the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (FRCP) outline some basic characteristics of a certified class action, including:
- Such a quantity of potential claimants that joining them in a single lawsuit would pose great challenges
- Common “questions of law or fact”
- Class representatives (the named plaintiffs) share the same claims as other claimants in the class, all of which can share the same (or similar) defenses
- Class representatives will fairly and adequately represent the other class members
An El Paso class action lawsuit lawyer can review your case and tell you whether they think it will pass the criteria required for a class action lawsuit.
For a free legal consultation with a class action lawsuits lawyer serving El Paso, call 800-709-1441
Benefits of a Class Action Lawsuit
Although some people choose to pursue compensation by filing an individual claim, you stand to gain from several benefits by participating in a class action lawsuit, if you qualify as a class member. For starters, this course of action offers greater affordability, as all the plaintiffs in a class action lawsuit equally split the costs of legal representation. This enables people to obtain higher quality law firms to represent them than they could otherwise afford. It also enables them to seek justice against a company with very deep pockets and large teams of lawyers.
On that note, keep in mind that class action lawyers work on a contingency-fee-basis. This means you pay them legal fees only when and if you win a settlement or court award from your legal action.
Although a class action against a negligent company involves many complainants, it still represents only a single lawsuit. The matter is litigated in one court, which yields one decision. If the court decides in favor of the plaintiffs, all the class members share equally in the court award. If the defendant decides to settle, all class members receive equal portions of the settlement amount.
Because all the complaints involved in a class action involve the same legal arguments, this type of lawsuit also enjoys a much more efficient legal process for ensuring that a company pays for damages they caused through their negligence.
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Settlements vs. Trials in a Class Action
Quite commonly, class action lawsuits settle before ever making it to trial. When this happens, the defendant typically creates a fund from which victims of their negligence draw compensation. The fund may cover existing and future victims. The judge who presides over the class action will have to issue an order to approve the settlement. They will do so after reviewing the details of the settlement, checking to make sure it provides for adequate and fair compensation.
In the event that parties do not agree to a settlement, the case moves on to trial where both sides will present their arguments and evidence in a court of law. The plaintiff who filed the class action may find themselves testifying. Other victims and witnesses may also possibly offer their testimony to support the plaintiffs’ case. In many cases, the defendant will decide to settle the case during the trial. Otherwise, a jury will decide the case.
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Ben Crump Law, PLLC Wants to Seek Justice on Your Behalf
Common class action lawsuits involve defective products, environmental hazards, and discriminatory practices. The legal team at Ben Crump Law, PLLC does not shy away from tough cases. Our El Paso class action lawsuit lawyers will take on the biggest and toughest of corporations to hold them accountable for the damages you suffered because of their negligence.
With a reputation for handling high-profile cases, we stand ready to represent you in your pursuit of justice. You should not have to suffer financial damages for the harm you endured due to a company’s negligence. The defendant should pay for any damages you suffered through no fault of your own, not you.
Call Ben Crump Law, PLLC today at (800) 709-1441 for a free consultation.
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