What Is a Class Action Lawsuit?
When you’re hurt in a personal injury accident, you may start to think about the legal process and how to receive compensation. You may also wonder if the same thing has happened to others. If a lot of people have a similar legal issue, they may bring their claim as a class action lawsuit. What is a class action lawsuit? Is it right for me and my case? Our Philadelphia personal injury attorney team explains.
What Is a Class Action Lawsuit?
A class action lawsuit is a legal claim brought by a large group of people at the same time. They have similar legal issues, and the court addresses all of them together. A class action lawsuit is a special type of legal proceeding in which similar cases are joined together and adjudicated at the same time.
What is the Pennsylvania law for class action lawsuits?
Pennsylvania Code Title 231 Chapter 1700 creates rules for class action lawsuits.
Why are there class action lawsuits?
There are two primary reasons that the courts allow class action lawsuits. First, when you need a personal injury attorney near me, you need compensation quickly. It would take a lot of time to have thousands of trials on the same topic. The courts can conserve their resources, and the parties may have faster access to justice. Class action lawsuits streamline the courts so that victims who need compensation can have their cases heard and resolved faster than they may be able to otherwise.
Second, a class action lawsuit is a way for victims to have a personal injury attorney near me when it may not be worth it to hire an attorney otherwise. When something relatively small happens, the legal claim may be worth $100, $10 or even $1. It’s not worth it to hire a lawyer for an entire claim just to receive $100 in the end. However, when hundreds of victims pool their resources, they can all receive justice. The class action lawsuit system gives victims faster access to justice, and a way for them to afford to have a Philadelphia personal injury attorney advocating for them whether their case is large or small.
Should I join a class action lawsuit?
Whether you should join a class action lawsuit depends on your individual situation. When the claim involves a very small amount of money, it’s typically best. However, if you have significant physical injuries and an accident that is highly personal, pursuing your own claim can help you get the justice you deserve. If you have more than minor injuries or damages, you may be best to opt out of the class and pursue a case on your own. An experienced Philadelphia personal injury attorney can help you determine if it’s best for you to remain a part of the class or opt out. The time to act is limited, so it’s important to contact a lawyer for class action claims as soon as possible.
Lawyers for class action personal injury attorney claims
If you have questions about a class action lawsuit, we invite you to contact our Philadelphia injury attorneys today.
