Benefits of Joining a Class Action Lawsuit Against Large Corporations
One of the greatest advantages of joining a class action lawsuit is the power of numbers. When you have a case against a large corporation, they will likely not take you seriously if you file an individual lawsuit. This is because they usually have a powerful team of attorneys to represent them in court.
Secondly, you will likely not have the resources to fight against such large businesses and corporations. On the other hand, if several people have been injured by the negligence of the defendant, a class action lawsuit allows the injured individuals to combine and file one common lawsuit. This strategy creates strength in numbers.
Thirdly, large corporations and businesses would rather settle a lawsuit than taint their image. When you file an individual lawsuit against them, chances are they will not have so much to worry about from the public relations perspective. But when several victims join to file a class action lawsuit, there is always the risk of reputational damage. As a result, these companies would rather settle than risk ruining their reputation.
Lastly, as a member of the class, you will not need to do anything while the lawsuit is in progress. This is because the lead plaintiff takes charge of the lawsuit by representing all other class members. All you will need to do is sit back and wait for the outcome of the lawsuit.
More answers to commonly asked questions
Who Is a Lead Plaintiff in a Class Action Lawsuit?
A lead plaintiff is an individual who represents other plaintiffs in a class action lawsuit. This individual is also referred to as a class representative.
What Are Some of the Roles of the Lead Plaintiff in a Class Action Lawsuit?
The lead plaintiff is usually the individual who brings the case against the defendant. As a result, they may be responsible for choosing the legal team to represent the class members. This individual will also participate in the settlement negotiations.
They can either accept or reject the settlement offer from the other party. In addition, they appear in court, at depositions, and at other important meetings on behalf of the class members.
What Is the Point of Having a Lead Plaintiff in a Class Action Lawsuit?
Let's briefly discuss how these lawsuits work to further understand the logic behind having a lead plaintiff. Class action lawsuits usually involve a large number of plaintiffs who have been injured by the negligence of a business or large corporation. For example, suppose a particular beauty product contains a carcinogen, and the product manufacturer fails to warn consumers about it. In that case, the consumers might be able to file a class action lawsuit if they are diagnosed with cancer following years of using the product.
Therefore, it would make little sense to have a courtroom filled with thousands or millions of plaintiffs suing the defendant for negligence. Similarly, assuming the plaintiffs live in different locations across the country. In that case, it would make no sense for each plaintiff to bring an individual lawsuit against the same product manufacturer and for the same reasons as with other plaintiffs.
This could mean spending decades trying to settle each case. For this reason, class action lawsuits combine all these complaints into one major lawsuit and appoint the lead plaintiff to represent all other plaintiffs.
What Are Some Disadvantages of a Class Action Lawsuit?
The biggest disadvantage of a class action lawsuit is that the settlement is usually shared between all class members. The lead plaintiff gets the larger share of the settlement because they dedicate their time, energy, and resources to the case as other plaintiffs sit back and wait for the outcome.
Because the settlement is shared between different plaintiffs, the amount that arrives in your pocket is usually lower than what you would have settled for had you pursued an individual claim.
When Is an Individual Claim Better Than a Class Action Lawsuit?
The truth is, not every kind of lawsuit should be settled through a class action. Even if you have been injured by the same defendant as other plaintiffs, you may still be able to file a standalone lawsuit. For this reason, it is always advisable to consult an experienced class action attorney.
At Morgan and Morgan, our class action attorneys can help you understand your options when you contact us for a free case evaluation. While a class action lawsuit is a great way to settle some cases, it does not work for all cases.
For instance, you may want to maximize your claim if you suffered significant injuries. Unfortunately, a class action lawsuit does not provide many options for maximizing your claim. Therefore, the question of whether or not you should file a class action lawsuit will depend on the specific circumstances of your case.
But you should not be concerned about that. Our legal representatives can help you understand your options when it comes to choosing the best course of action for your case.
How Can Morgan and Morgan Help in My Class Action Lawsuit?
One of the reasons plaintiffs opt for class action lawsuits is to combine their legal power before facing the defendant. This is because, in most cases, the defendant is usually a large corporation with powerful resources to fight back. That is where Morgan and Morgan, the largest personal injury law firm in the United States, steps in.
Morgan and Morgan has access to powerful legal resources to fight against large companies and corporations. For this reason, you can count on us to fight back and ensure you receive the compensation you need and deserve.
It can be a painful and frustrating experience to file a lawsuit against a powerful entity. But when you have an even more powerful legal team on your side, you will rest easy knowing that someone who truly cares about your best interests is fighting for you. Contact us for a free case evaluation if that is what you need.