Class action lawsuits allow a group of plaintiffs that suffer from similar injuries or damages to come together and fight for justice. Class action lawsuits can work well for those plaintiffs whose damages may be too small for a viable personal injury lawsuit.
You can potentially file a class action lawsuit against a variety of potential defendants, including:
- Government entities
- Financial institutions
- Manufacturers
- Retailers
- Employers
According to Oklahoma Statute (OS) §12-2023, you can file a class action lawsuit in the state if there are enough applicants who share the same substantial losses caused by the same entity and they have agreed on a representative of the class.
Your Oklahoma City class action lawsuits lawyer can advise you on your options regarding initiating a suit or joining in on any active class action lawsuits. Call Ben Crump Law, PLLC today for a free case review by dialing (800) 709-1441.
Types of Oklahoma City Class Action Lawsuits
Environmental Issues
Polluted water, air, or environment can potentially affect entire neighborhoods and cities. Exposure to toxic substances and pollution can cause health and financial damages to a large number of people. Plaintiffs can potentially sue in a class action lawsuit if they suffered adverse health effects, or saw their property values drop due to pollution, to name just two examples.
Finance
Financial class action lawsuits can be initiated by shareholders, other investors, or customers of financial institutions. Plaintiffs may sue for predatory lending, fraud, misconduct, false advertising, and other unlawful practices in financial institutions.
Employment Issues
Employment class action lawsuits can arise when a group of workers sues a company for violating wage and hour laws, discrimination, sexual harassment, or unlawful and dangerous working conditions. Employment class action lawsuits can address any practices in the workplace that go against state or federal law.
Defective Products
Defective product claims can address a great variety of different cases such as defective drugs, defective cars, and all kinds of other defective consumer products. There are three general types in which a product can be defective:
- Design defects
- Failure to warn
- Manufacturing defect
Civil Rights Issues
Civil rights class action lawsuits deal with a variety of issues where individuals’ civil rights are systematically infringed on, including sexual discrimination in large companies, discriminatory treatment of people with disabilities, and any other discriminatory practices involving a group of plaintiffs.
False Advertising
It is possible to file a class action lawsuit when false advertising harmed a number of plaintiffs in a similar way. False advertising arises when a consumer purchases a certain product based on false claims. Plaintiffs can also potentially sue when a company fails to disclose something pivotal about the product.
Generally, any unlawful action by a company or government entity that could lead to an individual lawsuit could potentially result in a class action lawsuit. The main difference is that in a class action lawsuit, a number of plaintiffs come together with the same complaint and similar damages.
If you have any questions about initiating or joining a class action lawsuit, you can seek an Oklahoma City class action lawsuits lawyer for advice and guidance.
For a free legal consultation with a class action lawsuits lawyer serving Oklahoma City, call (800) 709-1441
How a Class Action Lawsuit Works in Oklahoma
A class action lawsuit follows a fairly structured process. The majority of the plaintiffs, known as “the class”, do not participate in any legal proceedings and will simply wait until they hear of the outcome and receive their settlement. Meanwhile, the class representative, also known as the “lead plaintiff” and the attorney will work on the case behind the scenes.
Determining Whether the Plaintiffs Have a Claim
Similar to every other civil lawsuit, an attorney will evaluate whether there is a valid claim. This can entail finding out how many plaintiffs with similar damages exist and researching whether a similar lawsuit is active or settled. The attorney will also conduct further research to establish the chances for the success of a claim.
Filing the Class Action Lawsuit
Once the attorney has determined the viability of the claim, they and the lead plaintiff will initiate legal action and file the lawsuit. A judge will then decide whether the lawsuit can become a class action and if so, they will officially certify the class.
Entering the Discovery Phase
Discovery is a research stage where the attorney will request certain documents and evidence from the defendant. Discovery typically includes depositions where individuals such as witnesses, expert witnesses, and the defendants answer an attorney’s questions under oath.
Resolving the Class Action Lawsuit through Settlement or Trial
A lawsuit can settle before trial if the lead plaintiff and attorney can agree on a settlement with the defendant. When this is not possible, the case will go on to trial before a jury.
Notice to Class Members
Once the class action lawsuit is resolved, plaintiffs may receive a notice that will tell them about the settlement or judgment. Plaintiffs can then decide whether to opt-out of the case or collect their compensation.
The Role of the Lead Plaintiff
The lead plaintiff typically, although not always, is the person who filed the initial claim and is subsequently appointed by the court as the representative of the entire class. The lead plaintiff has a number of crucial responsibilities:
- Hiring the attorney
- Filing the lawsuit together with the attorney
- Assisting with discovery and the gathering of evidence
- Attending all court hearings and depositions
- Progressing the case together with the attorney
- Accepting or denying any settlement offers
Since class action lawsuits can be lengthy, the lead plaintiff may have to make a sizable time commitment.
Oklahoma City Class Action Lawsuits Lawyer Near Me (800) 709-1441
Your Oklahoma City Class Action Lawsuits Lawyer Can Help
Filing a class action lawsuit can allow a group of plaintiffs to stand up to a powerful company or institution. Your Oklahoma City class action lawsuits lawyer can help you get justice with a class action lawsuit. We are not afraid of big companies and can fight for your rights and compensation.
Contact Ben Crump Law, PLLC today for help and advice with your potential class action lawsuit at (800) 709-1441.
Call or text (800) 709-1441 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
