Encountering a product malfunction that results in an injury or purchasing a product that does not reflect what a manufacturer has promised may result in a consumer's dissatisfaction and the decision to seek monetary damages or a full refund. Class actions are legal cases that involve a group of people who have a common complaint and who form the plaintiff side of a legal battle. Learn how a class action lawsuit works and determine if you have recently dealt with a purchase that warrants your participation in a legal matter.
Research Open Cases
A lawyer will represent the class (the group of plaintiffs) and will utilize a contingency plan as a means of receiving payment. This means that a legal representative will not receive compensation unless the plaintiff group wins. A lawyer's fees will be deducted from a monetary award, prior to funds being dispersed to the class.
Many class-action lawsuits can be found through the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The FTC administers consumer protection legislation. An individual can also file a complaint through the FTC, if there isn't an active case against a particular manufacturer or if an individual is unable to locate an open case that pertains to a specific business and product.
A judge will require that a minimum threshold is met prior to considering a case. This means that a certain number of people with the same type of complaint will need to sign up for a class-action lawsuit. Some cases are listed on themed webpages that are geared toward a consumer's rights or products that have been recently recalled.
File A Complaint Or Sign Up For A Group Lawsuit
A serious medical injury that is being presented during a hearing will be a trickier case matter than one that involves purchasing a product that didn't meet its packaging promises. With any type of injury that required medical care, consulting with a lawyer who handles consumer affairs is a critical step to complete.
For a consumer class-action lawsuit that involves seeking payment for a product that didn't meet a customer's expectations, a consumer can sign up for a lawsuit directly through a page that lists ongoing class-action lawsuits.
For most group suits, a consumer will need to have a copy of their receipt and may be requested to furnish a brief description of what occurred after a purchase was made. In some situations, a consumer may discover a case that has already been determined. They will have the option of signing up for the case by a specific date and receiving compensation.
Share11 February 2021
