Class Action claims are mega-lawsuits. They involve potentially thousands of individuals, and the settlements can be in the millions or hundreds of millions even. So how do these mega lawsuits work? What are the steps to take on a class action, and who is eligible to recover from a class action lawsuit?
In this FAQ, we're going to cover how Class Actions work, and who is eligible to recover from a class action lawsuit. If you believe that you are eligible to recover from a current class action lawsuit, or if you've been injured either financially or physically and you believe that your damages were also experienced by an entire class of individuals, call our team now at 314-542-2222 or 618-272-2222. Our Personal Injury Lawyers in St. Louis can get you the care you need and deserve.
How do Class Action Lawsuits Work?
Class Action Lawsuits can be massive. For instance, Monsanto/Bayer is currently embroiled in a lawsuit that has a $2 Billion judgment against them. This case involves thousands of individuals from dozens of countries around the world. Our Law Firm has also recently successfully won a Class Action Lawsuit against the Missouri Department of Corrections for not fully paying their Correctional Officers what they are owed. Both of these cases are great examples of class action lawsuits.
So how do these cases start, and what constitutes being part of a class action class?
First, you have to have been harmed either physically by a product or action, or financially harmed. The two examples stated above perfectly example both cases. For the physical harm, people who used Roundup over prolonged periods developed cancer, which was linked to the use of the Roundup. Monsanto/Bayer did not make users aware of the potential dangers of using the product and that its use could lead to cancer. Therefore, people who were harmed by the use of the product and developed cancer were entitled to be part of the class action lawsuit against Monsanto/Bayer.
For the second example, the Correctional Officers of the Missouri Department of Corrections were denied the overtime and regular pay that they were owed by the Missouri Department of Corrections. The state claimed that they weren't required to pay for pre- and post-work activities because the officers weren't clocked in. This claim didn't stand in court and Missouri was required to pay its CO's $113 million in back pay. This is a perfect example of those who have been harmed financially. CO's who have worked under these conditions are eligible to join the class action claim.
Once a Class is decided, the claim typically goes to court and evidence for and against the claim is presented. This part of the Class Action can take years because a business doesn't want to pay out a class action claim, they are extremely expensive. While many may celebrate once a judgment is handed down, you have to remember that appeals can and often do happen which can keep any settlement from being dispersed for years.
Once the case is fully settled and the judgment is declared as final, the process of paying out the judgment to the Class affected begins. This is typically the end of the Class Action case.
If you would rather speak directly with our team about your class action case, please don't hesitate to call us at 314-542-2222 or 618-272-2222. We've taken on class action claims before and we know how to make sure that you get 100% of the care and financial recovery you are owed. Remember, you didn't ask to be injured and you shouldn't have to beg to get the care you deserve. You can get a recovery for your injuries and the liable party can be held liable for their actions.