Class action lawsuits are designed to give legal power to those who might not otherwise have it. When you file one of these suits, you and your peers can take universities, corporations, and even government agencies to court.
You’re not taking action on your own, either. Class action lawsuits allow you to work with your peers to fight for justice and compensation. And you can turn to a Long Beach, NY, class action attorney for guidance throughout the legal process. Morelli Law Firm is ready to tackle a civil class action suit on your behalf.
Class Action Lawsuits Help You Contend With Your Injury Bills
What kind of damages can you ask for in a class action suit? In most cases, the answer to that question varies. For example, the financial support you can request for a civil rights violation isn’t going to be the same as what you can request in a mass-injury suit.
To get an idea of what compensation you may be entitled to, you can break your possible compensation down into two categories. Your economic losses will come with bills, making them easier to add together. You can then refer to precedent to determine the economic value of pain and suffering or a loss like disability.
Finally, be prepared to add your total desired compensation to that of your peers. You’ll present this collective number to a county clerk. A class action lawyer in Long Beach, NY, can then present your estimate to either the defendant or a judge, depending on how your case proceeds.
All About Primary Plaintiffs
Class action lawsuits require participants to elect a primary plaintiff. The primary plaintiff in a class action suit affiliates their name with the entire case. In turn, all participating plaintiffs will have to abide by the statute of limitations established by the date of the primary plaintiff’s injury.
There are some benefits to serving as a case’s primary plaintiff. The primary plaintiff can receive a greater percentage of a case’s compensation than the rest of the affiliated plaintiffs. You can talk about the division of that compensation before bringing your case to the attention of area courts.
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Collaborating With a Class Action Attorney
Our Long Beach class action attorneys make it easier for you and your fellow plaintiffs to collaborate on a suit. We’ll help you communicate with one another and gather the information needed to back your claims.
What’s more, we can manage everyone’s communication with a defendant or civil defense attorney. This way, conversations can remain civil, and you won’t have to worry about a company’s attempts at intimidation.
Our other responsibilities include representing you in negotiations and courtroom trials. In either situation, we’ll present your case while keeping your maximum possible compensation in mind. You can ask us questions about negotiations or the trial process at any point during our time together, and we’ll elaborate on how each benefits you.
Submitting Your Class Action Claim for Consideration
Because your class action claim can cover a variety of topics, the statute of limitations between class action suits can vary based on the specific nature of your losses. That said, New York doesn’t make it impossible to establish a filing deadline.
CPLR § 214 allows all plaintiffs pursuing a class action lawsuit to take up to three years to gather their information. If your deadline is flexible, our staff will check in and make sure you take full advantage of the timeline allotted to you.
When to File a Multidistrict Litigation Action
If you’re concerned about how a class action lawsuit may impact your request for compensation, you may have the right to join in multidistrict litigation action. Multidistrict litigation action allows you to file an independent suit that a court will then consider alongside other suits filed against your liable party.
These suits allow you to retain autonomy over your losses. However, you won’t be able to rely on your fellow plaintiffs to prove your points for you. You and an attorney must gather evidence of a violated duty of care on your own.
Preparing for Class Action Negotiations
After you submit your class action complaint, an attorney can wait to receive the defendant’s response. In some cases, defendants who want to avoid going to court will agree to meet with applicable parties for case negotiations. Note that a class action lawyer in Long Beach can and should still be present for these exchanges.
These negotiations allow you and your fellow plaintiffs to put forward your argument for compensation without the oversight of a judge. This can get you the compensation you need on a speedier timeline. However, it will make you ineligible for punitive damages, which only a judge can assign.
Similarly, negotiating for your compensation may see you and your peers compromise on losses that you feel you otherwise deserved. If you feel as though the defendant isn’t considering your damages within the entirety of their value, you can transition negotiations into a trial.
What to Expect From a Class Action Trial
The only way in which a class action trial differs from a personal injury lawsuit’s trial is in the role of the attending plaintiffs. The class action trial process still includes discovery, opening statements, witness examinations, and closing statements.
However, most – if not all – of the attending plaintiffs should come to the stand during witness examinations. This portion of the trial process allows all applicable parties to elaborate on the extent of their losses.
An attorney can prepare all the applicable witnesses for cross-examination from the defense, as well. The more carefully you can respond to goading statements from the defense, the more likely it is that you can obtain the compensation you and your fellow plaintiffs need to recover.
Morelli Law Firm Can Move Your Class Action Claim Forward
It’s easier to deal with the stress of financial losses when your community rallies around you. Not only can you support one another throughout your recovery, but you can also more effectively fight back against the people who caused your losses.
If you have questions about your rights after a personal injury, you can turn to Morelli Law Firm. Our Long Beach, NY, class action lawyers can help you and your peers determine whether or not you’re entitled to legal action. Should you decide to move forward with a case, our team can be there for you. Call or reach out online today to set up your case evaluation.