- What is involved when litigating a business issue?
- What are some alternatives to litigation?
- What is the difference between mediation and arbitration?
- Is the result of mediation or arbitration binding?
- Can results from mediation or arbitration be appealed?
- What is a class-action lawsuit?
- Can business entities participate in a class action?
- What is the legal fee arrangement for a class action?
Class action lawsuits are brought by named plaintiffs, usually one or two, whose alleged injuries are the same as those of a large number of other parties. The plaintiffs do not have to be individuals; businesses may also be class plaintiffs. The purpose of a class action is to combine many similar causes of action. The cause of the common injury could be from any number of sources, such as from violations of federal regulations, product defects, securities fraud, or environmental issues. When multiple plaintiffs with similar claims are involved, litigating each case individually would be expensive and time consuming. A class action suit allows for a combined effort, potentially saving litigation costs and time spent in preparation for and in court.