Class Action Lawsuit Lawyers Atlanta Georgia
Class Action Lawsuits
Fried & Bonder, LLC - Atlanta, Georgia
A class action is a case in which one plaintiff (and in rare instances a defendant) represents a larger group who are not individually before the court. Class actions can be brought in state or federal court, and can allege a wide variety of claims. Typically, class actions are used to bring small individual claims together as a group to make the suit worth pursuing.
Fried & Bonder lawyers have worked on behalf of class members and defendants in class actions. Experience is critical when working on a class action because the cases can move quickly, there are many hurdles, and just as many pitfalls for plaintiffs and defendants.
From a plaintiff's perspective, a good class action involves systematic and demonstrable wrongful conduct by a large and wealthy company. Ideally, the claim will be based on a form or other paperwork common to all potential class members, who are also known as putative class members. Classic examples of class actions include:
- A paper mill shorting each ream of paper (500 sheets) by ten sheets so that each consumer is barely damaged, but the paper mill sells a free ream for each 50 it produces;
- An entire class of employees of a company are improperly classified as exempt from overtime;
- Hidden charges are added to a loan in violation of the Truth in Lending Act;
- Airlines agreeing to fix passenger fares;
- A shaving razor manufacturer claiming their product has qualities it does not.
Technically, a class action must involve: 1) a group of plaintiffs so numerous that bringing individual suits would be impractical; 2) legal or factual claims in common; 3) the claims (or defenses) of the named class representatives must be typical of the class; and 4) the representative parties must adequately protect the interests of the absent class members. The party seeking class certification, typically a plaintiff, must also show that the common issues will predominate and that the class is the best vehicle for resolution of the class's claims. These requirements vary depending upon the applicable law and the type of class.
The technical requirements for class actions are more than mere procedural hurdles through which a plaintiff must jump; they are safeguards over the due process rights of those not personally present. From a plaintiff's perspective, this means that the claims must be well pled, the representation of the absent class members must be professional, and the claim must offer the entire class an actual benefit. Defendants must probe each procedural safeguard to make sure that before liability is even discussed, the suit may properly be brought as a class. If the class allegation is flawed, the entire case may be dismissed.
Fried & Bonder lawyers have experience with class actions both as class counsel and representing defendants. Fried & Bonder's experience, professionalism, and efficiency can be of great assistance to any litigant in a class action.
Representing Individuals and Businesses
In the Atlanta Area and Nationwide
To make arrangements for an initial consultation - call the Atlanta, Georgia, offices of Fried & Bonder, LLC, directly at 404.963.9443 or contact the attorneys online.
