A class action lawsuit allows a group of people with similar claims to file a case together against the same defendant. These cases often involve large companies, defective products, consumer fraud, or environmental harm. Instead of filing hundreds or thousands of separate lawsuits, a class action combines the claims into one legal proceeding.
In a class action case, one or several individuals act as the “lead plaintiffs.” They represent a larger group of people who experienced the same type of harm. The court must certify the class before the lawsuit can proceed, meaning the judge determines that the claims are similar enough to be handled together.
If the plaintiffs win or reach a settlement, compensation is typically distributed among members of the class. The amount each person receives depends on the settlement terms and the number of participants involved.