Class Action Lawsuits: Mueller Hillin

Class action lawsuits are civil cases in which a group of claimants brings a suit at the same time for damage they have suffered from the same source. Class action cases require that at least one plaintiff who has suffered injury from this source who consents to take on the responsibilities of lead plaintiff (sometimes also called a “class representative”).

The lead plaintiff is appointed by the court to represent the entire group of claimants who are bringing the lawsuit. This group is also known as the “class”. Any of the claimants involved in a class action case can apply to be a lead plaintiff, but they must apply within sixty days of the publication of the class action suit’s first legal notice. A lead plaintiff enjoys many perks, including close communication with class action groups attorneys about the progress of the case as well as the opportunity to affect the actions of the group’s lawyers and maybe even the court’s eventual decision. One negative aspect of being a lead plaintiff is that you have to give testimony at a deposition in order to show how the class has suffered.

Naturally, no one is required to apply for the lead plaintiff position. To the contrary, any person who can show that they have also experienced suffering from the source in question is immediately considered part of the class action and are deserving of a portion of any settlement the class reaches because of the lawsuit. In class action suits, plaintiffs’ counsel is remunerated from the common settlement fund as stipulated by a court order. Also, the plaintiffs’ representation only receives payment if the court decides in their favor.

Mueller Hillin specializes in Class Action cases in Philadelphia, Atlanta, Houston and Austin.