In some cases, a corporation causes a small amount of damages to a large number of individuals. Class action lawsuits allow a large number of plaintiffs to bring an action against a corporation to collect money damages or other relief.
Class actions often occur in federal court. In a class action suit, the plaintiff or plaintiffs allege that negligence or other bad actions on the part of the defendant or defendants have hurt a large number of people, and that the plaintiffs represent that class of people.
In a class action, there might be a settlement of award and people who are members of the class can claim the award.
The AAJ is committed to promoting a fair and effective civil justice system while supporting the work of attorneys representing plaintiffs.
The CAOC serves both as a professional organization for California personal injury attorneys and other lawyers who represent plaintiffs, and as an advocacy group that opposes legislation that would limit access to the civil court system.