class action lawsuits
Collective legal proceedings
Class action lawsuits are legal cases in which a group of people with similar claims sue a defendant collectively rather than individually.
One or a few plaintiffs represent the entire class, and any settlement or judgment applies to all members: The class action lawsuit against the pharmaceutical company included thousands of patients who experienced side effects.
Class actions are common in cases involving defective products, securities fraud, or corporate misconduct where individual damages might be too small to justify separate suits.
Attestation of qualification
- commonalityShared characteristic among things
- predominanceSuperior influence or control
- superiorityHigher rank or quality
- numerosityPerceived set size
opt-out · opt-in · consolidation · subclass · typicality · adequacy · decertification · final approval
Resolved dispute or colony
- damagesCompensation for injury
- compensationPayment for services rendered
- restitutionRestoring what was lost
- punitive damagesAward beyond actual losses
claims process · distribution · payout · consent decree · structured settlement · attorneys fees · contingency fee
Expression of discontent
- discoveryAct of finding something
- depositionFormal testimony under oath
- evidenceFacts supporting truth
- testimonySworn statement as evidence
verdict · appeal · jurisdiction · docket · subpoena · brief · motion · allegation
Illegal financial market deception
- antitrustAgainst corporate market dominance
- consumer protectionLaws defending purchasers' interests
- product liabilityManufacturer responsibility for defects
- employment discriminationUnequal treatment in hiring
wage theft · data breach · environmental contamination · price-fixing · false advertising · defective products · toxic exposure · civil rights
Those initiating lawsuits
- lead counselSenior attorney managing case
- defendantParty facing charges
- claims adjusterInsurance payout determiner
- special masterJudge's delegated examiner
certification
Attestation of qualification
- commonalityShared characteristic among things
- predominanceSuperior influence or control
- superiorityHigher rank or quality
numerosity · opt-out · opt-in · consolidation · subclass · typicality · adequacy · decertification · final approval
settlement
Resolved dispute or colony
- damagesCompensation for injury
- compensationPayment for services rendered
- restitutionRestoring what was lost
punitive damages · claims process · distribution · payout · consent decree · structured settlement · attorneys fees · contingency fee
complaint
Expression of discontent
- discoveryAct of finding something
- depositionFormal testimony under oath
- evidenceFacts supporting truth
testimony · verdict · appeal · jurisdiction · docket · subpoena · brief · motion · allegation · trial
securities fraud
Illegal financial market deception
- antitrustAgainst corporate market dominance
- consumer protectionLaws defending purchasers' interests
- product liabilityManufacturer responsibility for defects
employment discrimination · wage theft · data breach · environmental contamination · price-fixing · false advertising · defective products · toxic exposure · civil rights
plaintiffs
Those initiating lawsuits
- lead counselSenior attorney managing case
- defendantParty facing charges
- claims adjusterInsurance payout determiner
class action lawsuitsout-of-court settlement
Resolution bypassing formal litigation
mediation · binding arbitration · arbitration · negotiated settlement · handshake deal
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