Class Action

When you’re facing the overwhelming world of personal injury class action lawsuits, having experienced class action attorneys by your side can be invaluable. You need someone who not only brings experience and knowledge to your case but also understands what you’ve been through on a human level.

At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we approach each client’s case with both compassion and professionalism, with the goal of achieving justice for your suffering.

Keep reading to learn more about class action lawsuits, how they work, and how a Chicago class action lawyer from our law firm can help.

What Are Class Action Lawsuits?

Class action lawsuits are legal actions that allow one (or sometimes many plaintiffs), known as a lead plaintiff or class representative, to file a lawsuit on behalf of a larger group, or “class,” who have similar claims and suffered similar harm.

These claims are handled collectively because it is impractical for each person to bring forward an individual claim due to the sheer number of those affected and the similarity of their issues.

Class action lawsuits may be filed in federal or state courts. The choice of venue often depends on the nature and scope of the claim and where jurisdiction is proper for that particular case.

When brought in federal court, these actions are governed by federal law, Federal Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 23, which outlines prerequisites for class certification under federal laws.

How Our Chicago Class Action Lawyers Can Help

When you’re up against large and powerful corporations, engaging in a class action lawsuit can be an effective way to level the playing field. Clients join together to consolidate their resources, streamline their legal efforts, and take on large corporations that have caused them harm en masse.

This allows for more efficient resolution of numerous claims while also dividing the costs involved across many individuals. Additionally, there is strength in numbers when pushing back against entities with considerable power or influence.

Here’s how our class action lawyers can help your cause:

• Case Evaluation: We start by thoroughly evaluating the merits of your potential claim, confirming that it matches class action criteria.
• Class Certification: Our class action attorney will advocate for court approval of your case as a certified class action.
• Resource Allocation: With access to resources, our lawyers investigate claims and utilize top experts in various fields. This comprehensive preparation can significantly strengthen the case for the entire class.
• Negotiation and Settlement: Our strong negotiation skills come into play as we strive for a settlement that reflects your interests, countering powerful defendants through informed strategy.
• Trial Advocacy: If negotiations don’t lead to an adequate settlement offer, our lawyers are fully prepared to present the class action case in court. Our trial advocacy skills are top-notch, focused on securing justice and proper compensation for all class members.

The Most Common Types of Class Action Lawsuits

Class action lawsuits can be brought about in multiple practice areas of the law, but they’re quite common when dealing with personal injuries. Here’s an overview of some of the most common types:

Antitrust Violations

These cases address conduct that hinders competition within the marketplace, like price-fixing or monopolistic practices. Damages from these violations can be widespread, affecting both consumers and businesses.

Aviation Accidents

Aviation accidents can involve commercial airlines or smaller private aircraft and can lead to class actions when systemic issues or negligence harm passengers. If you are faced with such catastrophic events, working with our airplane accident lawyers can be crucial for navigating these complex legal proceedings.

Consumer Fraud

When companies deceive customers through false advertising, hidden fees, or other manipulative practices that mislead consumers into making purchases they would not otherwise make, affected individuals can come together to file a class action lawsuit to pursue damages.

Employment

These lawsuits often involve issues such as wage and hour violations, workplace discrimination, sexual harassment, or wrongful termination. Such class actions hold employers accountable for misconduct affecting large groups of employees.

Environmental Hazards & Toxic Torts

Environmental harm that affects large numbers of individuals can lead to class action suits. An example is the Camp Lejeune lawsuit class action cases involving water contamination with harmful chemicals leading to illness among countless military families and personnel over several decades.

Product Liability

When products reach the hands of consumers with defects that have harmed individuals, class action lawsuits can be brought against manufacturers and sellers.

Whether it’s a defective product, lawsuits regarding vehicles, a dangerous drug, unfair and fair debt collection practices, or defective medical device lawsuits, pretty much any product has the potential to generate a legal dispute when faulty.

While the instances mentioned above provide a snapshot of common class action lawsuits, it’s important to recognize that there are numerous other situations where such legal action is necessary and appropriate.

Requirements to File a Class Action Lawsuit in Chicago, Illinois

In Chicago, Illinois, strict requirements are set under the law for bringing a class action suit. These legal grounds ensure that such class action cases are appropriate for collective action and can be efficiently managed by the court system.

The following requirements must be met:

• Numerosity: The proposed class must have a sufficient number of members to make individual suits impractical or inefficient—this number is typically 40 people or more.
• Commonality: There needs to be common questions of law or fact that are central to the validity of each class member’s claims. In other words, although each member may have individual circumstances, there must be key issues that tie their class action cases together.
• Adequate Representation: The class action suit must have a qualified named plaintiff – also known as a class representative or representative plaintiff – who can fairly and adequately protect the interests of all members of the class. This means they need to display similar legal issues as others in the group and show commitment to diligently pursuing the class action suit on behalf of the proposed class.

Please note that this is just a brief overview of the complex criteria one must satisfy to pursue a class action lawsuit in Chicago, Illinois.

The Legal Process of Filing a Class Action Lawsuit in Illinois

Filing a class action lawsuit in Illinois is multifaceted and involves several steps, generally including:

• Identifying the Issue: Plaintiffs identify a common problem that has affected many individuals.
• Class Definition: The proposed group, or ‘class’, must have similar legal grievances against the defendant, making them similarly situated and facing the same issues.
• Certification by Court: A judge must certify that the suit can proceed as a class action.
• Filing the Complaint: An official complaint, detailing the case and claims on behalf of the class, is filed in court.

This is a brief overview of some of the steps that must be taken. Ultimately, navigating each of these steps demands professional expertise, which is where a lawyer specialized in handling class actions comes in.

Benefits of Class Action Lawsuits

Class action suits offer many benefits to individuals who have been wronged by the same defendant in similar ways. Some upsides include:

• Collective Strength: Class actions combine many individual claims against one defendant into a single, stronger case.
• Cost-Efficiency: They share litigation costs among all other plaintiffs, often making it more affordable for individuals to seek justice.
• Consistency in Verdicts and Settlements: Class actions can also prevent varying outcomes from different courts for similar issues, promoting fairness and predictability in legal proceedings by having one lawsuit instead of many different ones.

Are Chicago Class Action Attorneys Expensive?

Many might worry that legal fees for a class action attorney could be out of reach. However, our Chicago class action attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning we only get paid if you win or settle your case.

Under this arrangement, there are no upfront costs to join the class action suit, and our law firm fronts all expenses incurred during litigation. If your class action lawsuit is successful, the attorney fees are a percentage of the settlement or judgment amount awarded. This ensures that anyone can seek legal representation recourse without facing costs upfront.

How Long Does Class Action Litigation Take?

Class action litigation is inherently complex, and this means it can often be quite lengthy. The timeline of a class action case can vary widely depending on certain criteria and factors:

• Complexity of the Case: More intricate legal or factual issues may require additional time for discovery and trial preparation.
• The Size of the Class: Larger classes could take longer to identify all class members and address their unique claims.
• Jurisdictional Considerations: The court’s schedule and the jurisdiction’s specific rules can impact how quickly a case moves forward.
• Settlement Negotiations: If parties are open to settlement, it will shorten the timeline. However, if negotiations become protracted or fail altogether, having a trial will significantly extend proceedings.

While class actions may take time, they are potent tools for injured parties to pursue justice and compensation.

Contact Experienced Class Action Attorneys Today!

Our class action lawyers are dedicated to representing the interests of all class members with expertise and tireless advocacy in various situations. Whether it’s dealing with unfair business practices or consumer protection laws, or you’ve suffered injuries, we’re here to help.

If you’ve been adversely affected as part of a larger group and believe a class action is the right path to handle your grievances, don’t delay in seeking legal support.

Contact the experienced Chicago class action lawyers at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers today. You can reach out online or call us at (888) 424-5757.

Our downtown office, near the Richard J. Daley Center, Dirkson United States Courthouse, and the Chicago Workers’ Compensation Commission, offers convenient access from Aurora, Joliet, and Waukegan via I-90, I-94, and I-290.

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers

225 W Wacker Dr #1660
Chicago, IL 60606
Phone: (847) 835-8895
Toll Free: (888) 424-5757

We also serve clients from Chicago, Naperville, Schaumburg, Rockford and throughout Illinois.

All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.