Class action

A class action is a type of lawsuit that lets one person or a small group, called the class representatives, bring a case on behalf of many others who were affected in a similar way. Instead of thousands of people filing separate lawsuits, the court handles the shared claims together in a single case.

Class actions are common when a large group has each been harmed a small amount, where filing individually would cost more than it is worth. Grouping the claims lets people hold a company accountable for conduct they allege caused widespread harm.

Many class actions end in a settlement, where the defendant agrees to resolve the claims without admitting wrongdoing. If a settlement is approved, eligible class members can usually file a claim to receive part of the money.