What Should I Do After Receiving a Class Action Lawsuit Notification?
If you received a notification of a class action lawsuit, you may be wondering what steps to take next. The most important thing to do first is to thoroughly review the notification. It may be in your best interest to review the document with a licensed attorney.
Our experienced attorneys are prepared to go over the letter with you to determine what legal course of action may best suit your situation. We offer a free legal consultation, and there are no upfront fees for our services.
If you were denied overtime or other wages you are owed, our Sacramento wage and hour lawyers are ready to help you seek compensation. Call today.
Why Am I Receiving a Class Action lawsuit Notification?
If you received a notification about a class action lawsuit, it means that your legal rights may be affected in some way. This could be because:
- You were a customer/employee of some company involved in the lawsuit – The company that is being sued likely breached some duty it had to customers or employees. For example, a defective product may have injured consumers, or an employer may have failed to pay overtime wages to employees.
- Your personal information is somehow involved in the lawsuit – if your sensitive information was exposed in a malware attack or data breach.
The notice will most likely describe the allegations against the company/party to the lawsuit and how the case may impact your rights.
Sometimes a class member may receive a notification of a class action lawsuit after the case has been settled.
Do I Have to Provide a Response to the Notification?
After you receive a notification of a class action lawsuit, you have the option to respond or ignore it. If the case has been settled, you may wish to claim the portion of the settlement you are owed. However, if the lawsuit has not been resolved, and this notice is letting you know about the ongoing litigation, you may not need to take any further action if you only wish to participate as a class member.
If you want to be more involved in the case, you may be able to opt in as a plaintiff. If you want zero connection or involvement to the lawsuit, you can choose to opt out.
Participate as a Class Member
Participating as a class member does not require any action from the person who receives a notification of a class action lawsuit. In most cases, this just means you will be automatically included in the class.
A class member is a passive role. When the lawsuit is complete, and successful, all class members receive an equal amount of compensation, regardless of how much harm they suffered.
Opt Out of the Class Action Lawsuit
Opting out of a class action lawsuit can mean one of two things:
- You do not wish to have any connection to the lawsuit because it is not for you
- You wish to retain your right to bring forth an individual lawsuit
To opt out, the person who receives the notification is usually required to check a corresponding box in the letter. If the case succeeds at trial, you will not be eligible for any monetary awards.
Participate as a Named Plaintiff in the Lawsuit
If you choose to opt in as a named plaintiff, it means you will have a more involved role in the case. Most likely, you will also be in the courtroom if the case goes to trial. Generally, someone who participates as a named plaintiff has suffered more damages than those named as class members. For example, in a defective product case the person may have directly been injured by the product or lost a loved one.
Participating as a named plaintiff also means you may receive more compensation than other class members if the case has a favorable result.
Contact a Lawyer for Help. Call Us Today
Our licensed lawyers are prepared to work with you throughout the entire legal process. We have successfully negotiated compensation for class action lawsuits as well as taken the cases to court and won.
Call us today to schedule a free consultation.
No upfront fees. No risks. Call 916-777-7777.
Free Case Evaluation
Client Reviews
After a drunk driver hit me I wasn’t really sure what to do. A friend of mine Highly Recommended Arnold Law Firm, what a great recommendation it has been! The staff from lawyers to assistants has been nothing short of amazing. Always are calling and emailing me to update what is going on with your case. A very nerve racking thing to deal with personal injury and what comes from it. But with Arnold Law Firm you can rest knowing they are fighting for every inch for you. Need a law office? Look no further!
This firm is a joy to work with, they really care about their clients. Mr. Minney and Deena were wonderful to work with.
I am very grateful for the services I got from Arnold Law Firm! Everyone was great! Stephanie was awesome! Her dedication and perseverance were admirable! She was the person behind the success of my claim! I truly appreciate her in particular, and Arnold Law Firm staff, in general!
So far, we are very happy with Arnold Law Firm and the personal service we have received by Dominic Sandaval. We are looking forward to continuing this relationship through the remainder of our law suit.
Thank you, Gilbert and Joanne Joseph
Not just legal experts, The Arnold Law Firm and my case manager Stephanie Baffoni genuinely cares about you.
The Arnold Law Firm has a proven track record of success fighting for their clients and I am very thankful to have them supporting me during a very challenging time. What I did not expect is the level of compassion, partnership, and trust Stephanie and the team strives to achieve in what could have been a purely transactional relationship.If you want to be treated like a person, not a number, and know someone is looking out for your best interests, then look no further.