Steps to Filing a Class Action Lawsuit
When the negligence of one party impacts a large group of individuals, it may be applicable to consolidate the claims of many plaintiffs into a class action lawsuit, where a representative plaintiff sues a defendant on behalf of a group of people with similar or identical claims. Here, the class action attorneys at The Law Offices of Peter Angelos provide an overview of class action lawsuits as well as the steps you can take to file a class action lawsuit.
When is it Applicable to File a Class Action Lawsuit?
Class action lawsuits are useful in scenarios where there are an excessive amount of claims against an entity that makes it impractical to file individual claims for each plaintiff. Besides the benefit of efficiency, class action lawsuits ensure that each plaintiff receives a reward, and they are significantly more cost-effective than litigating each claim separately. Class action lawsuits typically surround injustices as a result of fraud, including bank fraud and securities fraud; employment and corporate misconduct; environmental liability; and false advertising.
How is a Class Action Lawsuit Initiated?
The steps toward a group of claims receiving class action status begins with the initial complaint. The initial plaintiff, or representative plaintiff, will include their individual claims in an initial complaint as well as additional individuals or parties who have allegedly suffered similar injuries as a result of the actions of the defendant. The initial complaint will then state the argument that the class consists of a number of affected parties too large for individual litigation, and the complaint will subsequently be reviewed by the court to be evaluated as eligible or ineligible for class action certification.
How Do You Gain Class Action Certification?
In order to gain class action certification, you must meet certain conditions and be approved by a judge. While class action certification requirements tend to vary by state, class actions in Maryland must meet four main conditions in order to be approved. There must be an excessive amount of wronged parties for the claims to be litigated on an individual basis; the plaintiffs involved must have similar claims; the representative plaintiff must have claims or defenses that are adequately representative of the entire class; and the chosen representative or representatives must fairly protect the interests of the entire class. If these conditions are properly met, a class action lawsuit can be approved by a judge, as long as the court decides that the class action is in the interest and pursuit of justice and that the similarities between the parties involved outweigh any differences.
Consult the Dedicated Team of Class Action Attorneys at The Law Offices of Peter Angelos
Class action lawsuits efficiently consolidate similar claims against a single entity, and they can be cost-effective for the parties involved in the litigation. The dedicated class action attorneys at The Law Offices of Peter Angelos are committed to helping those whose claims may qualify for class action status in order to help promote a swifter course of justice. If you seek the counsel of the team of class action attorneys at The Law Offices of Peter Angelos, contact our Baltimore office today.