6 Examples of Class Action Lawsuits (Plus How They Work)

A class action lawsuit is a legal action brought by a group of individuals who share common claims against the same defendant(s), which are typically large entities like corporations.

The collective approach of a class action lawsuit aims to amplify the individuals’ grievances, streamline the litigation process and enhance the chances for significant compensation or settlements.

You can understand class action lawsuits and comprehend how they work better by looking at some examples. So, here are six.

1. Tobacco Litigation

One notorious example of a class action lawsuit is the landmark case of tobacco companies versus litigants who suffered health issues related to smoking.

Thousands met the criteria for participation. They had ailments caused by prolonged use of tobacco products, emphasizing a shared claim against the accused companies.

Class claims were based on deceptive marketing practices - that the major tobacco firms knowingly withheld information about the harmful effects of smoking.

The lawsuits demanded compensation for medical expenses, punitive damages, and an injunction to halt misleading advertising tactics.

2. Asbestos Exposure

Another important class-action example is lawsuits resulting from asbestos exposure. In these cases, litigants are typically workers who experienced long-term exposure in their workplaces and have been diagnosed with serious health conditions such as mesothelioma or lung cancer.

These suits operate on the premise that companies were aware of the risks yet failed to provide adequate protection for their employees or warn them about the hazards posed by asbestos.

Respective payouts from successful lawsuits go towards covering medical bills, lost wages, and costs associated with serious illnesses.

3. The Volkswagen Emission Scandal

The Volkswagen emission scandal also led to a noteworthy global class action lawsuit scenario.

Customers felt deceived when it was discovered that VW had installed deceptive software in millions of its vehicles to cheat emission tests. The fraud affected an estimated 11 million car owners globally.

In this case, plaintiffs filed collectively to apply pressure and leverage their case against the auto-giant. The primary goal was securing compensation for the diminished value of their vehicles and potential environmental impact damages.

4. The NFL Concussion Protocol Lawsuit

The class action lawsuit filed by former professional American football players against the National Football League is another example worth mentioning.

It alleged that the league was aware of the long-term health risks associated with repeated head injuries but did not adequately inform or protect its players.

The compensation claimed was aimed at covering medical costs associated with degenerative brain diseases caused by regular concussions, like Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy. Beyond that, athletes sought punitive damages for their suffering and future prevention measures.

5. The Equifax Data Breach

Another example of a class action lawsuit is the case against Equifax following a massive data breach compromising the personal information of nearly half of all Americans.

Individuals affected by the breach banded together to sue over negligence and violation of privacy. The plaintiffs sought compensation for identity theft damages, credit monitoring services cost, and prevention of similar future breaches.

Relatively large class action settlements are generally expected in such instances due to widespread impact and numerous complainants involved.

6. The Roundup Weedkiller Cancer Lawsuit

Bayer, the maker of Roundup weed killer, has faced thousands of class action lawsuits from users alleging their product causes cancer. These claims revolve around glyphosate, a key ingredient in the herbicide that is reported to play a role in developing Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.

The lawsuit operates by plaintiffs seeking massive monetary damages for medical expenses, emotional distress and potential punitive damages. The company agrees to substantial settlements as damage control and to put an end to ongoing negative publicity.

Learn More About Different Class Action Lawsuits

There are lots of different class action lawsuits that you could explore if you are interested. In addition to researching historic lawsuits, new class action lawsuits happen all the time, so it is worth staying up-to-date.

One great resource for The Latest News and Updates on Class Action and Mass Tort Lawsuits Across The United States is lawsuitlegalnews.com.

Wrapping Up

As shown across these various above examples, class action lawsuits empower individuals by coming together with similar claims.

By joining forces, they secure a stronger chance of significant settlement or compensation against powerful entities like corporations or industries that wrongfully cause damage on a large scale.

(Devdiscourse's journalists were not involved in the production of this article. The facts and opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of Devdiscourse and Devdiscourse does not claim any responsibility for the same.)