September 10, 2024
How to Start a Class Action Lawsuit in California
Written by Pointer & Buelna, LLP. Lawyers For The People, reviewed by Adanté Pointer
Starting a class action lawsuit in California involves identifying individuals who have been similarly harmed or affected, gathering evidence to support the claims, and complying with the specific procedural requirements set forth by state law. Additionally, you’ll want experienced legal representation to juggle all the plaintiffs related to how to start a class action lawsuit successfully.
If you believe you may have cause for a large civil action, don’t hesitate to contact the Fresno class action lawsuit attorneys at Pointer and Buelna.
case results
What Is a Class Action Lawsuit?
A class action lawsuit is a civil legal action that allows a group of people who have been similarly harmed or affected by a particular issue to bring a lawsuit collectively against a defendant. This type of lawsuit enables individuals with relatively small claims to join together and seek justice and compensation as a group rather than pursuing individual lawsuits.
How to Start a Class Action Lawsuit
To file a class action lawsuit in California, you need to follow certain steps:
- Identifying a group: The first step is to identify a group of people who have suffered similar harm or have been affected by the same issue. This group is referred to as the “class.”
- Gathering evidence: Your team will need to gather evidence that supports the claims made by the class. This can include documents, testimonies, expert opinions, and other relevant pieces of evidence.
- Filing the lawsuit: Once you have met the requirements, you can file the class action lawsuit in the appropriate court.
Requirements for a Class Action Lawsuit
The requirements are:
- Numerosity: The class must consist of a sufficiently large number of individuals to make individual litigation impractical.
- Commonality: There must be common questions of law or fact that are shared by all members of the class.
- Typicality: The claims of the representative party must be typical of the class. This means that the representative party’s claims must arise from the same events or circumstances as the rest of the class.
- Adequacy of representation: The representative party must be able to fairly and adequately protect the interests of the class.
Need Help?
Get In Touch With Us
Common Examples of Class Action Lawsuits
As Fresno class action lawsuit attorneys, Pointer and Buelna most frequently see these types of group civil actions:
- Consumer protection
- Employment discrimination
- Environmental pollution
- Securities fraud
Do You Need a Lawyer for a Class Action Lawsuit?
While it is not legally required to have an attorney to file a class action lawsuit, having competent legal representation is always highly recommended, especially for this type of case. Class action lawsuits have a lot of moving parts and involve complicated legal procedures. One misstep could really hurt your case. A reputable, trustworthy attorney from Pointer and Buelna can gather evidence, ensure the class meets the requirements, and advocate for the best interests of the group.
Need a Fresno, California Class Action Lawsuit Attorney? Get a Free Consultation
If you believe you have grounds for a class action lawsuit, Pointer & Buelna can help. Someone is standing by to help you at (510) 929-5400. Our Fresno class action lawyers have a deep understanding of California law and can provide you with the organized and fierce legal representation your group needs. To schedule a free legal consultation or case review, please contact our office right away.
Adanté Pointer
Pointer has received numerous awards and honors. He has been selected as the “Nations Best Advocate” by the National Bar Association, a “Superlawyer” in 2021 by Superlawyers Magazine and was recently featured as being “the Best Civil Rights Lawyer You May Not Have Heard Of” by the East Bay Express.
Years of Experience: 16+ years
