When a business entity like a large corporation acts with negligence, it often does so on a large scale. This can result in a large group of individuals that suffer injuries or illness due to that negligence. In cases like this, each of those victims could be entitled to financial compensation. The reality is that these large companies typically have the resources needed to swamp a consumer in litigation expenses rather than pay for their mistakes.
It is in these situations where class action lawsuits become valuable. A class action lawsuit involves a group of similarly-situated plaintiffs joining forces against the negligent company in a single lawsuit. These lawsuits could involve anything from hazardous chemical spills or drug recalls from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
These lawsuits are as complex as they are large. Given the unique rules that come with this type of litigation, it is vital that you seek an attorney with experience handling class action claims. Contact an Indianapolis class action lawsuits lawyer to find out if you have a valid claim. Call Ben Crump Law, PLLC at (800) 709-1441 to speak to a team member today.
The Class Action Process
Initiating a class action lawsuit differs from a standard negligence claim. Not every plaintiff within the class will file their own pleading. Instead, the representatives of the class will bring the lawsuit in federal court. All members of the class will then rely on these pleadings during the course of the claim.
There are strict limitations under federal law on filing a class action claim. The process is governed in part by Rule 23 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (FRCP). According to the rule, it is ultimately up to the court to determine if the representative of the class is comparably situated to the other class members. A class action lawsuit can only continue after the judge has certified that the class meets the standard of Rule 23. There are four elements under Rule 23 that every class must meet:
- The class is so large that joining every member into a regular lawsuit is impractical,
- There are similar questions of fact or law that are common across the class,
- The claims of the representatives match those across the class, and
- The representatives will fairly protect the interests of the entire class.
Once the court certifies the class, it will then notify all members of the class identified by the parties to the lawsuit. This could include anything from direct to electronic mail.
It is not unusual for individual class members to hire an attorney to protect their interests during a class action lawsuit. This is true even for individuals that are not representatives of the class. If you believe you are entitled to compensation through a class action lawsuit, Ben Crump Law, PLLC can help. Contact an Indianapolis class action lawsuits lawyer right away to learn about your options.
For a free legal consultation with a class action lawsuits lawyer serving Indianapolis, call 800-709-1441
Benefits of Joining a Class Action
There are several benefits to joining a class action lawsuit. It is important to understand these benefits and weigh them carefully, as joining class does limit your control over your claim. That said, in many cases the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks. The major benefits of pursuing a class action lawsuit include:
- Reduced costs. When you bring a lawsuit directly against a company by yourself, you are entirely responsible for the cost of litigation. This includes hiring expert witnesses, performing investigations, paying for depositions, and covering the cost of filing a lawsuit. By spreading the legal fees across a large class, each individual member will pay less.
- Strength in numbers. Large classes are harder to ignore than individual lawsuits. The larger a class gets, the more negotiating power it has with the at-fault company. Larger classes also typically draw more publicity as well.
- Sharing in success. If the class action is successful, you are guaranteed to walk away with some form of compensation. You will also get paid at the same time as everyone else, which is not true if a claim is handled through countless individual lawsuits.
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The Value of a Free Consultation
If you have suffered an injury or illness due to the negligence or recklessness of a large corporation, you could benefit from discussing your options with an attorney. Unless you are tuned into mass tort news, you might not even be aware that you are eligible to join a class action lawsuit.
Your attorney can evaluate your claim carefully before providing you with insight into your legal options. Your legal counsel could help you weigh the pros and cons of proceeding on your own versus joining with an existing class action.
This advice is not one size fits all, meaning it is vital that you discuss your specific claim directly with an attorney. The good news is that Ben Crump Law, PLLC offers free consultations for all injury and tort claims. Our team can review your case and answer any questions you might have. At the end of the consultation, you are under no obligation to pursue legal action or move forward with our firm. However, we are confident you will see that our team can work to pursue a monetary award for your injuries.
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You Could Be Entitled to a Monetary Award Through a Class Action Lawsuit
It is understandable if the thought of facing down a major corporation is overwhelming to you. The good news is that you are not alone. In fact, there could be hundreds or thousands of other people in the same position you are in. By joining with them in a class action lawsuit, you could recover the monetary damages you deserve.
It is vital that you avoid any delays when considering a class action. There is a limited amount of time to join these lawsuits, which means time is of the essence. To get started with Ben Crump Law PLLC, call (800) 709-1441 as soon as you are able to schedule your initial free consultation.
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