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A class action lawsuit helps individuals by giving them the power to legally stand up against major corporations. Class action suits are particularly successful when there is more than one person who is filing the same, or a similar complaint against a corporation. The complaint is generally filed by one person on behalf of every other individual who has the same or a similar complaint with the corporation. Because so many individual complaints can be under one lawsuit, these suits are not only more convenient for the individuals fighting the company. They are also much less expensive since each individual does not have to file the lawsuit separately.

Class actions suits can be brought before state courts and federal courts. They generally remain in state court unless the case is somehow connected with the violation of a federal law. Examples of common class action suits include faulty medical products used by a specific practitioner, homeowners affected by a toxic spill, consumers who purchased the same defective product, medicines with undisclosed side effects, investment and securities fraud and racial or any other form of discrimination within an organization.

Starting a class action suit involves the initial certification by the court as a 'class' This means that there must be a large enough number of plaintiffs involved, so many that it would burden the court if the cases against the company were tried individually. Also, the group must have the same or very similar complaints with the company. Once the class is formed, any member has the option to opt out of the suit at any time. Also, it is not necessary for all members of the class to be in court or to testify against the company. Only a few members of the entire class need to be present during the trial.

Once a decision is made by the court, any award will be divided between all class members. Those who have opted out are not eligible for a reward. In most cases, class action lawsuits are settled out of court. These types of lawsuits can take years to conclude; it is rare that a class action suit is resolved quickly. Large corporations do not like class action suits; however, these lawsuits are great for the 'small guy' who feels that he was wronged and wants to fight. In many cases, when one person speaks up against a corporate giant, many more come forward with similar complaints. Filing a class action lawsuit greatly helps those who feel powerless to have a voice.

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