When you embark on a lawsuit against a large corporation or government – even with the best lawyer by your side – it can feel like a David and Goliath-type situation.
Notably, if your suffering stems from the corporation/government’s negligence or misconduct on a grand scale that has caused others to suffer similar damages, fighting the lawsuit alone may not be your best bet: a class action lawsuit may be your best option!
Class action lawsuits allow for individuals who have a shared experience of being mislead or mistreated by a corporation or government to come together as a group of people (AKA class members) and hold that entity accountable for their actions.
Class action lawsuits and the ability to pursue them act as a support to consumer rights; a safeguard against corporate and government wrongdoing; and they increase access to justice.
These legal proceedings can even the playing field between consumers and large corporations. For example: what was once one person pursuing justice for being mislead by tobacco companies about the safety of cigarettes and the health consequences of smoking can turn into a class action that results in an order from the Quebec Superior Court for $15 billion to be paid by a number of cigarette makers.