How Much Money Can You Recover in a Class Action Lawsuit?

Learn about how much money you can recover from a class action lawsuit. Find out how much lawyers will keep for legal fees and how much you can expect from a settlement agreement.

How Much Money Can You Recover in a Class Action Lawsuit?

When it comes to recovering money from a class action lawsuit, the amount you receive depends on the settlement agreement or court award. Most class action lawsuits reach a settlement agreement, rather than going to trial. The money divided in a class action settlement generally contains a provision that establishes compensation for the plaintiff. However, the money divided in a class action lawsuit may have to go to thousands or even millions of consumers, also known as members of the group. The lawyers will keep a percentage of the agreement to cover their legal fees.

However, the court will ensure that your payment is restricted to a reasonable amount. While settlement agreements often seem quite large, in some cases, splitting the money in a class action lawsuit may be another matter. Experts recommend that members of the panel continue to file claims, even if the dollar amount of settlement compensation is low. Class action lawsuits facilitate the process of seeking compensation and make it more efficient than if individual plaintiffs went to trial, according to the Legal Information Institute (LII). In some cases, class action lawsuits may seem like the only way to force companies to pay for the damage they have caused and to deter them from committing crimes in the future. In every class action lawsuit, there is a lead plaintiff or lead plaintiffs who act as the face and voice of the group and represent the interests of the entire group.

While the rules governing class action lawsuits vary from state to state and from court to court, some common issues apply to class action lawsuits across the country. If your class action is successful, you will receive a portion of the agreement or court award. Class action lawsuits begin much like other legal actions, with a complaint filed by the plaintiff against other parties that they allege caused injuries. However, on the other hand, all members of the group receive the same amount of money, regardless of the severity of their injuries. Top Class Actions is a legal news source that reports on class action lawsuits, class action settlements, drug-related injury lawsuits, and product liability lawsuits. However, drug and device lawyers don't usually recommend class action because all members of the group receive the same amount of money, regardless of the severity of their injuries. We can analyze the advantages and disadvantages of acting as a class representative and whether it would be better if you simply chose to participate in the class action lawsuit.