Class Actions Press Kit
Class actions occur when judges approve a petition to roll
many similar, and often small, monetary claims into one legal
action. This type of suit is often brought against a defendant,
usually a large corporation, that cheated a multitude of consumers.
It is also brought when systematic patterns of abuse or discrimination
may exist at a company.
Combining efforts saves courts the costs and inconvenience
of hearing thousands of small cases one at a time. Further,
if the plaintiff wins, the defendant's pattern of illicit
behavior is exposed and any wrongly-obtained money is taken
away. Strong penalties are meant to deter other defendants
from the same behavior and stop any ongoing abuses.
Class Actions in the News
November
1 A new movie in theaters across the country, chronicles
the landmark sexual harassment lawsuit, Jenson v. Eveleth Taconite
Co., filed in 1998 on behalf of Lois Jenson and other female
mine workers subjected to insults, inappropriate touching, and
physical intimidation.
