Top-Rated Class Action Lawyers

What to Look for in a Class-Action Lawyer

Most class action lawsuits involve one party filing a claim against a company for damages on behalf of themselves and also on behalf of everyone who has been injured by that company’s specific practice. This may include hundreds, thousands, or even millions of people who have been affected negatively in the same way by that defendant.

Bringing a class action enables many people facing the same circumstances to receive justice fairly and efficiently. However, it is often difficult to tell if you are the only one or one of many affected by the same error or misconduct.

The best way to find out if you have an individual claim or whether it is in your best interest to pursue a class-action lawsuit is to contact an experienced class action lawyer. The team at wh Law has nearly a century of combined experience in legal matters.

Experience in Class-Action Lawsuits

When it comes to your case, you want to find a lawyer who has experience in class action litigation, and who has a record of being appointed by courts as “class counsel.”  In order to represent an entire class of plaintiffs, a court has to approve an attorney as class counsel and authorize them to litigate on behalf of the entire class of affected people.  Importantly, the court needs to make certain that the lawyers have the experience, skill, and commitment to represent the class.  Lawyers at wh Law have been appointed as class counsel in litigations throughout the United States

Experience with Your Kind of Case

Class actions encompass a wide variety of different cases. These include:

• Violations of consumer rights, such as unfair or undisclosed fees and deceptive business practices
• Defective products
• False advertising
• Violations of privacy rights, particularly by Big Tech
• Violations of civil rights 
• Employment discrimination, housing discrimination, and other forms of discrimination
• Misadministration of retirement benefits
• And much, much more

Experience in Appropriate Jurisdictions

One of the complexities of attending class-action litigation is how wide the geographic distribution of people within the class may be. Courts only hear cases within their jurisdiction, and the efficient resolution of any legal matter depends on identifying where jurisdiction in the case lies and filing the claim with the correct court.

Depending on the jurisdiction, class actions may be tried in a state or federal court. So, it is beneficial to hire an attorney who has handled proceedings across a range of courts and understands where jurisdiction may lie in prosecuting claims on behalf of a class.

Responsiveness

One of the key distinctions between individual lawsuits and class actions is that the vast majority of people in a class will have no involvement with the case until it is resolved. The one exception is the lead plaintiffs or “Class Representative” in a class-action lawsuit.

If you are the first to bring a claim and hire a lawyer, and the court certifies the case as a class action, you will be considered the Class Representative. As Class Representative, you and your lawyer will maintain consistent communication throughout the case regarding settlement offers and other matters.

Because of the important role you play in the class action, it is important to find not only an experienced attorney but also one who values your input, answers your questions thoughtfully, takes your concerns seriously, and responds to you in a timely fashion. The same is true for members of the law firm staff who are also involved in your case.

Reasonable Costs and Fee Structure

The Class Representative in a class-action lawsuit is responsible for evaluating the fee agreement as part of choosing an attorney. In most cases, class actions are tried on a contingency fee basis; if a settlement is reached, the lawyers in the case are paid a portion of the recovery.

The exact percentage an attorney charges as part of the contingency fee agreement may vary. Each lawyer you meet with should be upfront about their fees.

Due to the complexity of class action litigation, investigating and trying these cases can be expensive. In addition to a reasonable fee agreement, it is in your best interest and the interest of the class to find a law firm that emphasizes cost management. Cost-effective representation is generally efficient representation, improving the likelihood of a favorable settlement in a timelier fashion.

What Is a Class Action Litigation?

A class-action lawsuit can happen when a group of people have had similar injuries when they used the same product. It could be about injuries from a defective medical device, a piece of auto equipment, household appliances—anything that has caused harm to many people.

In a class-action lawsuit, one person or a small group of people represents the larger group who has been injured. The lawsuits can happen in federal and state courts.

For a class-action lawsuit to have grounds, it needs to include the following:

• A legal claim against the negligent party.
• A large group of people must have similar injuries. So, if people used a defective medical device but had different side effects, they wouldn’t be able to file a class-action lawsuit.
• The person or small group leading the class action lawsuit needs to have a reasonable plan and seek equal outcomes for the members of the class.

One kind of case that is common in class action lawsuits is product liability cases. Whenever a product is faulty or dangerous and it causes harm to someone, they can make a product liability claim. If a large group of people used the hazardous device and all got similar injuries, they may try to file a class-action lawsuit.