Aggressively resolving these complex legal issues for consumers throughout our beloved state of California, the class action attorneys at Wilshire Law Firm tip the scales and put power back into the hands of everyday people.
If anyone violated your consumer or workplace rights, you may not be alone. To get the help you need NOW, contact an attorney at Wilshire Law Firm by calling (800) 493-0916 or filling out our online contact form.
California Class Action Lawsuit Guide
- What are Class Action Lawsuits?
- How Class Action Lawsuits Work?
- What are the Benefits?
- What Is Class Action Certification?
- Types of Consumer Class Actions
- How a Lawyer Can Help
- How to Start a Class Action Lawsuit in California?
- Class Action Cases We Handle
- How Wilshire Law Firm Approaches Class Action Lawsuits
- Benefits of Hiring Us for a Class Action Lawsuit
- How We Hold Large Corporations Accountable
- Frequently Asked Questions About Class Action Lawsuits
- Contact Class Action Attorney Today
What are Class Action Lawsuits?
The fundamentals behind class action lawsuits are directly related to the foundation of our U.S. justice system and prove the strength of the people against groups with large influence and corporations.
How Class Action Lawsuits Work?
Class action lawsuits happen when a large group of people experiences similar grievances due to the actions of a person, group, or corporation. These lawsuits essentially highlight our inherent strength in numbers and allow the group of plaintiffs to come together as one entity to sue the defendant for a settlement.
A single case represents every individual in the class, and all members of the class receive compensation.
What are the Benefits?
Class action lawsuits provide large groups of consumers or employees many important benefits that traditional plaintiff lawsuits fail to offer. Depending on the case, a class action lawsuit may be your best option for legal recourse.
The advantages of class action lawsuits are widespread. A class representative brings forward a class action, and this can be just one individual. If the court certifies multiple claims as a class action, the claims may proceed on behalf of a larger group of people affected by the same wrongdoing.
Because class members are united in their pursuit of justice and settlement, they are more likely to force companies to pay attention and react to their demands, preventing future harm from the wrongdoer’s illegal practices.
What Is Class Action Certification?
Before a class action suit can happen, the class needs to be certified. Class certification is the process in which the judge determines that all the plaintiffs have enough similarities in their grievances to be considered a single entity, rather than having each plaintiff file a separate case.
The judge determines this through several requirements, including:
- Number of Plaintiffs
For a class to be certified, the judge must determine that there are enough plaintiffs so that it would not be practical to have them each file a separate personal injury lawsuit. This number can fluctuate depending on the circumstances of the case (whether it is a nationwide class, the severity of the injuries or financial loss, etc.) but a quick rule is that there generally needs to be over 40 plaintiffs with similar grievances to be considered a “class”.
- Protection of Interests of the Entire Class
The judge must determine that the named plaintiff fairly and accurately represents each member of the class’s interests before the litigation begins. If some members of the class have interests that differ too much from the rest of the class, they must have subclasses to fully represent and protect their interests.
- Similar Grievances
The judge must also use his or her discretion to determine whether or not the members of the class’ grievances or injuries are similar enough to be considered one single grievance. If the judge determines that there is not a practical cause for the plaintiffs to be filing a class action lawsuit and resolve the claims (known as fulfilling judicial efficiency), then the plaintiffs will not be certified as a class and cannot continue with their class action lawsuit!
Types of Consumer Class Actions
Much of the law on class actions is specific to consumer class actions. It is important to be able to know each type and recognize what consumer class action your case might fall into. Some common types include:
- Consumer fraud / negligent misrepresentation
This occurs when a company or corporation intentionally misleads the consumer about its product or service, either verbally or in writing.
- Consumer form contract cases
This type of consumer class action might occur because the company violated a contract with the consumer.
- Design defects, warranty, and products liability claims
A consumer class action might happen based on design defects, warranty, and product liability claims. For example, if the product has broken due to design before an established warranty and the company refuses to honor its obligation to replace the product.
- False advertising claims
False advertising consumer class actions are more common than expected and often require legal action. False advertising is constituted by using misleading information to advertise a product to consumers.
How a Lawyer Can Help
Our Wilshire Law firm class action attorneys are among the top 1% of lawyers in the nation. Hiring an experienced and qualified lawyer is important in a class action lawsuit, as they will represent an entire group of people and grievances instead of just one.
With the right lawyer, class actions make the lawsuit even more effective than if plaintiffs just sued individually.
We work on a contingency fee basis, so we will not charge you unless you win your case. If the class action claim is successful, lawyers are paid out of the recoveries of class actions.
In specific circumstances, the defendant is sometimes legally required to pay the attorneys’ fees for the plaintiffs.
Class action lawsuits combine a large number of cases into one singular strong case, ensuring a more effective result and a more attainable justice for individuals who may not have the time or resources to file an individual lawsuit.
How to Start a Class Action Lawsuit in California?
After you contact one of our premier lawyers to discuss your case, we will determine whether a class action lawsuit can be filed.
After determining this, your lawyer will draft a class action complaint, which officially starts your class action case. The complaint will describe the details of your injury and financial harm and the type of compensation you seek.
Class Action Cases We Handle
Wilshire Law Firm’s attorneys handle complex class actions in the following areas:
- Consumer Protection—We protect consumers’ rights in cases involving deceptive marketing, dangerous and defective products, wide-scale financial fraud, unauthorized communications, and other consumer rights violations.
- Data Privacy – Whether you are a consumer or an employee (or both), companies must protect your personal information. When the financial, medical, or other identifying information of our clients is compromised, Wilshire Law Firm’s class action attorneys are there.
- Disability Discrimination (Americans with Disabilities Act) – The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) prevent employers, universities, and more from unfairly discriminating based on permanent, temporary, or perceived physical and mental disabilities or conditions.
- Wage and Hour Violations – Businesses often look for any way they can to increase their income, even if it’s at the expense of their employees. Wilshire Law Firm has the talent and the resources that employees need for class action litigation involving Employee Misclassification, overtime wage violations, time-shaving, failure to provide rest and meal breaks, and other worker rights violations. Our trial lawyers are ready to fight for the justice you deserve.
- Equal Pay Act – Gender wage inequality remains a documented issue for the American workforce. Employers are required to pay equal pay for equal work-when they don’t, Wilshire Law Firm’s class action super lawyers’ step in to fight them.
- False Claims Act (Qui Tam)– Both state and federal law allows whistleblowers to report fraudulent financial activities anonymously to the appropriate government agency and share any recovered proceeds. Any corporations, financial institutions, or individuals who defraud the government can be sued under this act.
- Dangerous and Defective Products – Designers, manufacturers, and the companies that retail these products are required to prevent foreseeable harm to consumers. Wilshire Law Firm accepts cases involving automotive part defects, medical device defects, and other dangerous product class actions.
- ERISA Litigation – When employers or plan administrators make unsuitable trades, over-concentrated plan investments, or otherwise mismanage company pension, profit-sharing, or 401(k) plans, a class action lawsuit can be brought forward under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA).
How Wilshire Law Firm Approaches Class Action Lawsuits
At Wilshire Law Firm, we take a comprehensive and strategic approach to class action lawsuits. Our legal team thoroughly investigates the claims, gathers evidence, and builds a strong case to maximize the chances of a favorable outcome for our clients. We understand the challenges and nuances of class action litigation, and we work tirelessly to overcome them.
One key aspect of our approach is our commitment to thorough preparation. We leave no stone unturned in our investigation, meticulously analyzing all relevant documents, witness statements, and other evidence. This attention to detail allows us to anticipate potential challenges and develop effective countermeasures, ensuring that our clients are well-prepared for the legal battle ahead.
Additionally, we pride ourselves on effectively communicating with our clients and keeping them informed throughout the litigation process. We believe that transparency and open communication are essential to building trust and ensuring that our clients feel empowered and engaged in their own legal journey.
Benefits of Hiring Us for a Class Action Lawsuit
When you choose Wilshire Law Firm to represent you in a class action lawsuit, you can expect a range of benefits that set us apart from the competition:
- Extensive Experience: Our team of attorneys has decades of experience handling complex class action cases, giving us a deep understanding of the legal landscape and the strategies needed to succeed.
- Personalized Attention: We treat each client as an individual, taking the time to understand their unique circumstances and tailoring our approach to their specific needs.
- Aggressive Representation: We are not afraid to take on the largest corporations and institutions, and we will fight tirelessly to protect our clients’ rights.
- Proven Track Record: Our firm has a long history of achieving successful outcomes for our clients, including multi-million-dollar settlements and judgments.
- No Upfront Costs: We work on a contingency fee basis, so you only pay if we win your case. This allows you to access high-quality legal representation without the burden of upfront costs.
How We Hold Large Corporations Accountable
At Wilshire Law Firm, we believe that no company is too big or too powerful to be held accountable for their actions. We have a proven track record of taking on some of the largest corporations in the world and securing justice for our clients.
One key way we hold these companies accountable is through our comprehensive approach to class action litigation. By working closely with our clients and conducting thorough investigations, we can build a strong case that highlights the full extent of the company’s wrongdoing. This includes documenting any evidence of deceptive practices, product defects, or other forms of misconduct that have harmed consumers or employees.
Additionally, we use many legal strategies to ensure that our clients’ voices are heard and their interests are protected. This may include seeking injunctive relief to stop the company’s unlawful behavior, as well as pursuing significant financial compensation to make up for the harm that has been caused.
We remain steadfast in our commitment to holding these corporations accountable throughout the litigation process. We understand that taking on a large, well-resourced company can be a daunting prospect, but we are driven by a passion for justice and a belief that no one is above the law.
Frequently Asked Questions About Class Action Lawsuits
Q: What is a class action lawsuit?
A: A class action lawsuit is a legal action brought by a group of individuals who have been harmed by the same unlawful actions of a company or organization. By joining together, the plaintiffs can pool their resources and seek justice on a larger scale.
Q: Who can file a class action lawsuit?
A: Anyone who has been harmed by the same unlawful actions of a company or organization can potentially join a class action lawsuit. This includes consumers, employees, investors, and other affected parties.
Q: What types of cases are typically handled through class action lawsuits?
A: Class action lawsuits can be used to address a wide range of issues, including product defects, consumer fraud, environmental violations, employment discrimination, and more. The common thread is that the unlawful actions have affected a large group of people in a similar way.
Q: How long do class action lawsuits typically take?
A: The duration of a class action lawsuit can vary widely, depending on the complexity of the case and the level of opposition from the defendant. Some cases can be resolved relatively quickly, while others may take several years to reach a conclusion.
Q: What are the potential benefits of a successful class action lawsuit?
A: The benefits of a successful class action lawsuit can include significant financial compensation for the plaintiffs, as well as changes to the company’s policies and practices to prevent future harm. In some cases, class action lawsuits can also result in criminal charges or regulatory action against the defendant.
Contact Class Action Attorney Today
Wilshire Law Firm wants to help you get a favorable settlement in your class action lawsuit. Take action today by filling out our online contact form. One of our top class action attorneys will contact you.