Morgantown Class Action Lawyers

How to Bring a Class Action Case

In a class action suit, one plaintiff or a small group of plaintiffs represents a large group of people harmed by the defendant, which could be an individual, a business, or a group of people in a corporation.

A class action suit can take place in a federal or state court. A plaintiff must request to have a class action suit certified; if it is, others who may be affected by the case are notified and given the option of opting into the case. Depending on the case, hundreds or even thousands of individuals may choose to opt in. Every plaintiff receives the same ruling in a class action suit.

Why a Class Action Suit?

The court may choose to certify a class action lawsuit if it is the most efficient way of handling a case. A class action suit means one suit is brought instead of hundreds. Fewer lawyers are involved, fewer court dates must be scheduled, and fewer resources are needed to process the case. In addition, a class action results in one ruling, rather than the “piecemeal” uneven results that can happen when multiple cases are brought.

Certain types of cases are more likely to suit class action than others. A class action can only happen if several plaintiffs wish to bring a charge against a defendant for a specific cause of harm.

Some types of class action suits are more common than others:

• Product defects resulting in injury
• Workplace discrimination
• Corporate fraud
• Environmental harm (such as that caused by an oil or chemical spill)

Shaffer Madia Law—Experienced Attorneys in Morgantown & Clarksburg

Shaffer Madia Law serves Harrison and Monongalia Counties and surrounding areas, with convenient offices in Clarksburg and Morgantown. Our lawyers’ combined over 60 years of experience brings a wide variety of perspectives to class action cases.