How Does a Consumer Class-Action Lawsuit Work?

A consumer class-action lawsuit works by allowing multiple injured parties to band together to confront a single liable party, usually a large corporation. This makes it easier for individuals to sue billion-dollar companies that have more resources than any single person.

How Legal Representation Works in Class-Action Lawsuits

Class-action lawsuits are more complex than regular lawsuits, both because of the increased number of plaintiffs and lawyers and because of the special rules that govern class-action cases. These rules are outlined by the U.S. Courts.

A lawyer from our firm can help you figure out if you qualify to join an existing class-action lawsuit or if there is any other way you can pursue fair compensation. In fact, our legal team can take complete responsibility for every part of your case, such as:

• The investigation: We will not only seek to prove that the liable party owes you damages, but we will also see if you qualify to join a class-action
• The paperwork: Filing forms is a tedious but unavoidable job if you file a lawsuit. Our team can do it all for you.
• The negotiations: If the liable party offers you a settlement agreement, let your lawyer go over it first. That way, you can be sure that you have gotten the best possible settlement.
• The trial: You do not have to go to court, even if your case does. Our legal team will prepare and deliver arguments and exhibits on your behalf.

Our law firm can also make legal representation more affordable by:

• Working for a contingency fee: Many firms only bill you for attorney’s fees if and when you receive compensation.
• Joining or starting a class-action lawsuit: Such lawsuits defray the costs of legal proceedings by spreading them among all of the plaintiffs.

Pursuing Compensation Through a Class-Action Lawsuit

The two most common types of damages are economic and non-economic. Economic damages, as the name implies, reflect the financial cost of your injury. If you lost any money, you may be entitled to economic damages.

Some of the more common reasons people sue for economic damages are:

• Medical costs: Your injury required (or will require) treatment or medical care. Medical costs can also include costs for medication, physical therapy, and assistive devices.
• Miscellaneous costs: You needed to (or will need to) hire others to manage tasks you used to do on your own.
• Lost income: Your injury affected your ability to do your job on a temporary basis.
• Lost earning capacity: Your injury affects your ability to do your job on a permanent basis.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages reflect the toll the injury took on your health. Almost any kind of physical or mental distress may qualify you for non-economic damages, including:

• Scarring: You have a permanent scar that affects your appearance, self-confidence, and/or range of motion.
• Disability: Your physical and/or mental capacity has diminished because of your injury.
• Pain and suffering: Your injuries were physically painful. In addition, your pain and/or the injury itself have caused emotional anguish. 
• Loss of consortium: This refers to any sort of negative impact the injury had on your marriage, including loss of emotional connection and conjugal relations.

If you have lost a loved one, you may be eligible for wrongful death benefits. In addition to the personal injury benefits listed above, these might include:

• End-of-life expenses: This could compensate you for everything from purchasing a coffin to settling your loved one’s estate. 
• Loss of financial support: You can no longer rely on your loved one’s income to support yourself and your family. 
• Loss of companionship: You can no longer turn to your loved one for affection or emotional support.

Your Class-Action Lawsuit has a Legal Deadline

As already noted, class-action cases are often complicated. One complication you may run into is how much time you have to begin your lawsuit. This amount of time already varies depending on who you are suing and why.

For example:

• In personal injury cases, you typically have three years to sue, according to CVP §214.
• In wrongful death cases, you typically have two years to sue, according to EPT §5-4.1.

These statutes and others may or may not apply to your case. You can always consult our team before you get started.

Call Morelli Law Firm to Explore Your Legal Options for Free

Now that you have a better understanding of how a consumer class-action lawsuit works in general, call Morelli Law Firm for information specific to your case. We will do everything possible to help you, even if we have to go to court to get your money. You can reach our office at (212) 751-9800.