Vaziri Law, LLC prosecutes class action lawsuits in Chicago, state, and federal courts. When a business or large corporation defrauds consumers, provides defective products, or engages in other forms of misconduct, individual consumers are at disadvantage. The best way for consumers who have been treated unfairly to level the playing field is to join forces in a class action lawsuit.
Our legal team has the skills and experience to represent plaintiffs in all types of class claims and knows that there is strength in numbers. Above all, we are dedicated to holding businesses accountable and protecting the rights of consumers. Contact our Chicago office today to speak with an experienced attorney.
What is a class action lawsuit?
A class action lawsuit is one in which one or a few plaintiffs bring claims on behalf of others who have suffered the same harm. Because the individual injuries or losses may be relatively minor, filing an individual lawsuit may not be practical. In a lawsuit, the named plaintiffs serve as representatives of the class and combine their claims into a single action to recover damages suffered by all members of the class.
Benefits of Class Action Lawsuits
There are a number of advantages to class action lawsuits. First, combining similar claims into a single action can make the legal process more efficient and less costly. Class actions also allow all the plaintiffs to obtain some compensation, even if the amount does not cover all of their damages. Moreover, if class members were forced to pursue their claims individually, they might not be willing to invest the time and expense of litigating a claim that may only result in minimal compensation.
Finally, they can help to ensure that defendants who have harmed a significant number of people are held accountable for their actions. Given the complexities involved in managing and litigating a class action lawsuit, it is essential to have the informed representation Vaziri Law LLC provides.
Common Types of Class Action in Chicago
A class action lawsuit may involve widespread harm to individuals arising from corporate violations of federal, state, and local law, including:
- Unfair and deceptive business practices
- Unfair debt collection practices
- Unfair and deceptive advertising
- Defective or dangerous product liability
- Environmental hazards and toxic torts
- Telemarketing scams
- Privacy, data breaches, BIPA (Biometric Information Privacy Act) violations
In some cases, violations have impacted thousands of consumers. Ultimately, it takes a skilled class action attorney to achieve the most favorable result, in or out of the courtroom.
Lawsuit Process
Generally, a class action is initiated by an individual or a small group of individuals who have suffered similar harm due to wrongdoing by a large business or other entity. Those people bring the lawsuit not only on their behalf, but also for others similarly situated as well. In short, the plaintiffs, through their attorney, must ask the court to “certify a class.”
The court will do so if it finds that the same issues affect a larger group of victims than the named plaintiffs. For example, a class might include every person in Illinois who was charged an interest rate on a credit card that was higher than that permitted by law. Once the class is certified, the issues will be litigated on behalf of all similarly affected individuals.
Judgments and Settlements in Chicago
Generally speaking, in a class action lawsuit, if members of the class do not opt-out of the case, the court’s decision is final and binding as to those members. If the plaintiffs prevail, the members of the class are paid under a plan of distribution, either a percentage of the award fund or a specific dollar amount. If the parties agree to settle, the agreement must be approved by the court.
In addition to monetary awards or settlements, court orders and settlement agreements typically include provisions requiring the defendant to cease its unlawful practices and take remedial action to improve its business practices.
Why You Need a Chicago Class Action Attorney
While many class action lawsuits settle, these legal proceedings are long, complex, highly technical, and also involve a significant amount of data and other evidence. Thus, it is crucial for the class to be represented by an attorney with the knowledge, skills, and resources to see the case through to the best possible outcome.
At Vaziri Law LLC, our practice is dedicated to helping individuals fight back against large corporations that engage in deceptive, unlawful, and dangerous business practices. We have the experience to manage complex class action litigation and regularly collaborate with co-counsel to ensure that the class plaintiffs have maximum legal protection.
Whether you are a consumer who has been harmed by unlawful business practices or defective products, you need an experienced Chicago class action attorney in your corner. Contact our office today to set up a consultation.
Vaziri Law helps residents of Chicago with class action suits including those who live in Cook County, Dupage County, Lake County, McHenry County, and Will County.