

While class action lawsuits have their advantages, there are also reasons not to pursue them. If the individual damages against each person is relatively small – such as a few hundred dollars’ worth of unpaid overtime – it may not be worthwhile for each member of the affected party to invest the time and money required to pursue individual action, as such expenses would nullify any awarded damages.Ĭombining several smaller suits into one class action suit also helps reduce the expenses for individual members of the suit and make it easier to find legal representation. This increases the chance that the case will be handled in a reasonable amount of time. If 20 workers were affected by an employer’s alleged illegal practice, it is much simpler and more efficient for the courts to hear one case rather than 20.

Compiling multiple suits into one suit expedites the legal process and makes it easier for a case to move through the court system. There are several reasons why class action lawsuits can be preferable to individual suits. This differs from a typical lawsuit, where one entity brings legal action against another, such as if a single worker sued his or her employer. In employment cases, this usually occurs when an employer makes unreasonable or illegal requests of a large number or all employees, such as working unpaid overtime or subjecting them to unsafe working conditions.

“Advantages and Disadvantages of a Class Action Lawsuit” blog post photo.Ī class action lawsuit, also known as a collective action lawsuit, is a case brought against an entity on behalf of many individuals, all of whom have been subject to the same illegal practice by the defendant.
