Consumer Class Action Lawyers in California

Skilled Litigators Fighting for Consumers

We interact with a number of companies each day, between accessing online services, shopping, ordering or picking up food, and even at home when we turn on the AC or take a shower. This means there are countless potential interactions in which an unscrupulous company could be wronging us. While companies often hide their actions, you can still take action to hold them accountable if you believe they are wronging consumers.

Class action lawsuits can be brought by one or a few people on behalf of anyone who may have been affected by a person or organization’s illegal behavior. Our team is ready to help consumers find justice in these cases. We have sufficient resources to work on class action cases, which may take years to resolve, as well as a team of skilled and experienced lawyers who have worked on high-profile cases before. Reach out today if you believe you have identified a class action claim.

Call Robins Cloud LLP at (800) 691-2363 for a free consultation with one of our attorneys. We have more been serving clients across the nation for over 30 years. 

When Does a Case Become a Class Action?

As with any civil case, you must be able to show you were damaged by the actions of another party before you can file a claim. When bringing a class action lawsuit, you must also be able to demonstrate:

• The actions of the defendant impacted a large group of people, such that it would be unlikely that the courts could handle individual suits from all plaintiffs in a timely manner. There is no set cutoff for what makes a class action, but typically courts look for at least 40-50 plaintiffs before declaring a case a class action.
• The plaintiffs all suffered similar damages and will be well served by a shared resolution. A class action, therefore, may be helpful in cases where multiple plaintiffs purchased a product that was advertised for a use it could not fulfill because they all lost the same amount of money and have almost identical complaints. By contrast, when a malfunctioning product caused plaintiffs to be injured in many distinct ways, a class action likely would not provide appropriate recompense because each individual would have different medical costs, losses, etc.
• Your complaints mirror those of most class members and therefore provide an accurate basis on which a judge and jury can evaluate the company’s wrongdoing and individual losses.

If your damages are not shared by a large number of people, you may still be able to find justice by filing an individual personal injury suit. For those who believe their case has the potential to be a class action but are unsure whether it meets the requirements, please reach out for a free consultation and our professional opinion.

Inclusion in Class Actions

As part of the class covered by a class action case, you will not always need to take action to receive benefits. For example, many product- or service-based cases use seller records to identify members who may have been affected. These people will receive information about how to verify they should be included in the lawsuit and how to opt out. Records of consumer complaints can also be used to identify people who may be covered by a settlement or verdict.

In some instances, identifying those who were affected is more difficult. Not all consumer transactions allow companies to identify buyers, as in instances where cash or a gift card was used. In this case, individuals may have to contact the legal team behind a class action to join it.

Types of Consumer Class Action Cases We Can Handle

Our team has long been standing up for the rights of consumers. We are ready to help with class action cases such as:

• Defective product claims
• Breach of consumer contract claims
• Billing fraud
• False advertising
• Robocalls and spam communications
• Consumer fraud or negligent misrepresentation
• Securities fraud
• Predatory lending practices

When companies make the decision to cheat consumers, hundreds or thousands of relatively small transactions can quickly turn into large profits. Any business that makes this choice must be held accountable.

Legal Process of a Class Action Lawsuit

In California, a class action lawsuit is a legal procedure where one or more plaintiffs (representing a larger group, known as a "class") sue a defendant on behalf of all individuals who have been similarly affected. Here’s an overview of the legal process for a class action lawsuit in California:

1. Initial Investigation and Filing: Attorneys first identify a lead plaintiff whose case reflects the experiences of a larger group. They conduct an investigation to gather evidence and determine if there are sufficient legal grounds for a class action. The lawsuit is then initiated by filing a complaint in state or federal court, outlining the claims of the lead plaintiff and the proposed class.
2. Class Certification: The plaintiff’s attorney files a motion for class certification, which asks the court to allow the case to proceed as a class action. The court assesses whether the case meets the requirements of numerosity, commonality, typicality, and adequacy of representation. The defendant can oppose certification, and the court holds a hearing to decide if the class should be certified.
3. Pre-Trial Discovery: Once the class is certified, both sides enter the discovery phase, exchanging evidence, documents, and deposing witnesses. Class members are notified of the lawsuit and given the option to participate or opt out. This phase helps each side build their case before trial or settlement negotiations.
4. Settlement or Trial: The parties may negotiate a settlement before trial, which must be approved by the court to ensure fairness to the class members. If no settlement is reached, the case proceeds to trial, where a judge or jury determines whether the defendant is liable and the amount of damages owed to the class. Class members may receive compensation based on the outcome.
5. Judgment and Appeals: If the class wins at trial or through settlement, the court issues a judgment, and compensation is distributed to class members who did not opt out. Either side may appeal the judgment or other decisions, such as the court’s ruling on class certification. Appeals can delay the final resolution but are part of the legal process.

Benefits of a Class Action Lawsuit

Here are the main benefits of a class action lawsuit:

• Strength in Numbers: Individuals with smaller claims that might not be worth pursuing alone can band together, making it more likely that justice will be served. Collectively, the damages can be substantial, which can pressure the defendant to settle or change harmful practices.
• Cost-Effective for Plaintiffs: Legal costs are shared among all class members, so individuals don’t need to pay high attorney fees out of pocket. Lawyers often work on a contingency basis (they get paid only if they win), making it accessible for people who couldn’t afford to sue alone.
• Efficiency for the Legal System: One case represents many people, avoiding hundreds or thousands of individual lawsuits over the same issue. This saves time and resources for courts, lawyers, and plaintiffs.
• Increased Leverage: A unified group can often negotiate stronger settlements or judgments than individuals could on their own. Large companies are more likely to take notice and respond when facing a large, organized group.
• Consistent Outcomes: All class members receive the same result (unless they opt out), which ensures fairness and avoids inconsistent verdicts in individual cases.
• Promotes Corporate Accountability: It can lead to meaningful policy or behavior changes from companies that have engaged in illegal or unethical practices.

FAQs About Class Action Lawsuits

Who can join a class action lawsuit?

Anyone who has been affected in the same way as the lead plaintiffs and meets the criteria defined in the lawsuit can generally join a class action. You don’t usually need to take any action to be included if the class is certified by the court and you fall within its defined scope. However, individuals are usually given the option to “opt out” if they prefer to pursue a claim independently. Notices are typically sent out or published to inform potential class members about their rights and involvement.

How are settlements divided in a class action lawsuit?

Settlements in class action lawsuits are typically divided among class members based on a distribution plan approved by the court. The amount each person receives can depend on various factors, including how many people are in the class, the extent of their damages, and the total settlement amount. Attorneys’ fees and court costs are also deducted before distribution. In some cases, class members receive equal shares; in others, payments are tailored to individual circumstances.

How long does a class action lawsuit take?

Class action lawsuits can take several months to several years to resolve, depending on the complexity of the case, the number of plaintiffs involved, and whether the defendant settles or goes to trial. After a lawsuit is filed, it must first be certified as a class action by the court, which can be a lengthy process. Even after certification, negotiations, discovery, and possible appeals can prolong the timeline. Patience is often required when participating in these types of cases.

Do I have to pay legal fees to join a class action lawsuit?

Generally, you do not have to pay out-of-pocket legal fees to join a class action lawsuit. The attorneys representing the class typically work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they are paid a percentage of the settlement or court award if the case is successful. If the case is not successful, class members usually owe nothing. This arrangement allows individuals to seek justice without the burden of legal costs.

Can I file my own lawsuit instead of joining a class action?

Yes, you can opt out of a class action and pursue your own individual lawsuit if you believe you have a strong case or your damages are significantly different from the rest of the class. Opting out gives you more control over your legal strategy and potential compensation, but it also means taking on the responsibility—and potential costs—of hiring your own attorney and managing your case independently. Courts typically set a deadline for opting out once a class is certified.

Ask Us How to Start a Class Action Suit Today

The law is often the only way to rein in negligent corporations, and as a team dedicated to keeping consumers safe, we are ready to use our experience to help you file a class action. These cases can be a way for consumers to find justice in cases involving relatively small infractions that might not justify individual suits but, when grouped, amount to serious losses or wrongdoings.

The lawyers at Robins Cloud LLP have fought multiple high-profile cases and are prepared to take on large corporations and their legal teams. We’re skilled at negotiating for fair settlements and ready to litigate any case if that’s what it takes to find justice. We’re here to help you hold wrongdoers accountable for cheating large groups of people.

Schedule a free consultation by calling our team at (800) 691-2363. We have over 100 years of combined experience to lend to your case.