A class action lawsuit is a case where one or a few people sue on behalf of a larger group who were harmed in the same way. Instead of thousands of separate cases over the same data breach, hidden fee or defective product, one court decides the issues for everyone in the group. In federal court the rules come from Rule 23 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
Many class action lawsuits end in a class action settlement. The company agrees to pay money or change its practices without admitting fault, and eligible people can file a claim to get a share. Read our guide on how to sue a company to see when a class action is not the right route.
See how to claim settlement money for deadlines, payments and taxes.
No. Claims are free and you can file them yourself on the official settlement website. Be wary of anyone who asks you to pay a fee to file.
Not always. Many settlements pay a small amount with only a sworn statement, while larger payments often need receipts or records. The notice states the rule for each case.
Payments usually come after the judge gives final approval and any appeals end, which often takes months after the claim deadline.
In a class action one case covers the whole group. In a mass tort, such as the Roblox lawsuit or Suboxone lawsuit, each person files an individual injury case, often grouped in an MDL for pretrial work.
Yes. You can usually opt out by the deadline in the notice and keep your right to sue separately. If you stay in and the settlement is approved, you generally give up that right.
A real claim never costs money, the official website is listed in the court approved notice, and no administrator asks for your online banking password.