Sometimes, large companies behave negligently, whether it is by polluting local water sources, manufacturing prescription drugs that have undesirable side effects, or other actions that put many people in danger. Those companies should not be able to get away with that negligent behavior, and one way to hold them accountable is by filing a class action lawsuit.
If you have been injured or hurt by a large corporation, do not get intimidated by them or their legal team. Instead, a Portland class action lawsuits lawyer can communicate with them for you. At Ben Crump Law, PLLC, we work with victims of these negligent companies to help them get the compensation they deserve. Contact us today at (800) 709-1441 to begin your free consultation with one of our representatives.
How a Class Action Lawsuit May Benefit You
When an organization’s negligent behavior affects multiple people, they can all come together to file what is known as a class action lawsuit, according to the Legal Information Institute (LII). Instead of just one person filing a lawsuit, this allows the affected persons to combine their claims together and strengthen their case against the company. Reasons that class action suits may be filed could include:
- Chemical spills or other environmental disasters
- Defects in products
- Illegal business practices
- Patients who were prescribed medicine with bad side effects
- Investment fraud issues
A class action lawsuit can end up being a more efficient process than if you and the other plaintiffs were to file separately. The entire amount of the damages is spread out among all of the involved claimants, and you pay no attorney’s fees until the award is collected.
In some cases, the defendant will be liable for paying legal fees. Overall, legal fees are also less expensive as it is more efficient, and the Portland class action lawsuits lawyer will be arguing one case on behalf of multiple plaintiffs.
These lawsuits are also beneficial when the award you may recover will be minor, and you may not be able to afford legal fees. When you group together with other participants, you are then able to get your award and still hold the organization liable for what happened to you.
Additionally, if you do not want to be in front of the judge, then the lawyer will find someone to act as a representative of the participants and be the voice of the group.
For a free legal consultation with a class action lawsuits lawyer serving Portland, call (800) 709-1441
How Class Action Lawsuits Are Typically Resolved
Class action claims are usually quite complex due to the nature of the case and the fact that there are multiple plaintiffs involved. Sometimes, there could be hundreds or thousands of people that a class action lawsuit could affect. A class action suit could include many different plaintiffs across the country.
The lawyer will begin negotiation processes with the company or entity and its legal team. Many times, these cases do not go to trial, and your class action lawyer will try to reach a proposed settlement with the company.
The settlement then goes before a judge for approval. If the judge does not throw out the case and approves the settlement, then they will ensure the settlement is fair to everyone affected. Most times, if you participate in a class action suit, you cannot take any further legal action against the company.
Once the settlement is approved, the court sends out notices to everyone who may be affected by the lawsuit to allow them to review the information and voice their opinions. The judge then creates a plan to pay out the settlement minus attorney fees and other costs associated with litigation. Attorneys generally either receive a percentage of the settlement or a fixed amount.
Portland Class Action Lawsuits Lawyer Near Me (800) 709-1441
Types of Costs You May Be Able to Recover
If you are involved in a class action lawsuit and receive a settlement, then you may be able to put that money toward any unexpected costs you had to handle as a result of the organization’s negligence. These unexpected costs could include:
- Medical Bills: Negligent behavior by companies may end up putting you in the hospital or lead to injuries that could affect you for the rest of your life. Being stuck with these bills can be devastating to your financial resources.
- Lost Wages: You may have lost time at work to recover, or you might not even be able to return to your job after your injury or medical problems caused by negligent behavior.
- Wrongful Death: If you lose a loved one because of negative side effects of medication, a defective product, or other negligence, then you will have several unexpected financial ramifications such as burial costs, loss of support, and more.
- Pain and Suffering: You cannot fully quantify how much mental and emotional trauma may cost you, but you may be able to recover some money to help ease the pain and suffering that you have endured.
- Property Damage: If a company caused an environmental disaster that led to damage to your property, then you may need money to help repair and fix that damage.
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Contact Us Today if You Were Affected by Negligence
If you have encountered negligence in Portland, OR, and believe that others may be affected as well by that negligence, then you may have grounds to start a class action lawsuit. When it comes to class action lawsuits, you have the option of hiring a lawyer to be by your side, and at Ben Crump Law, PLLC, we have experience with mass legal actions.
Contact our representatives today at (800) 709-1441 for a free consultation, where we will talk with you about what happened to you, your case, and how we think we can proceed. A Portland class action lawsuits lawyer may be able to help you get the compensation you deserve for facing losses due to negligence.
Call or text (800) 709-1441 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
