Georgia Class Action Lawsuit Lawyers
Class Action Lawsuit Attorneys in Georgia Who Win Big Cases
When big corporations do something wrong, it isn’t easy to hold them accountable. These companies all have an army of attorneys on retainer to shield them from the consequences of their actions.
When a large business commits an act that harms a lot of people, such as poisoning people’s drinking water or releasing toxic chemicals into the environment, they might think that they’re immune from punishment. But if enough victims can get together and pool their resources, it becomes a lot easier to take on a large interest. That’s how a class action lawsuit works.
Putting together a successful class action lawsuit requires hard work, legal experience, and significant resources. At Butler Prather LLP, we have all the necessary tools to bring a class action lawsuit, and we also have a history of taking on some of the largest corporations in the world and beating them.
The skilled litigators at Butler Prather LLP have won landmark cases for clients in over 30 states. Over the past ten years, our firm has obtained over $225 million in judgments and settlements for our clients attached to class action lawsuits. There are no fees for joining a class action lawsuit, and the benefits may be considerable.
Maybe you have been contacted by someone who says you are eligible to join a class action lawsuit, or perhaps you are aware of a situation where you and others have been harmed by the actions of a large company, government entity, or organization. The world-class litigators at Butler Prather LLP will be happy to review your situation and go over your options with you.
Call (706) 322-1990 to schedule a complimentary consultation today.
What Is a Class Action Lawsuit?
A class action lawsuit is when a large group of people who have a similar legal interest litigate a lawsuit together against a common defendant. To take part in a class action lawsuit, all the plaintiffs must belong to a class, which is a large group of people who are “similarly situated.” The term class applies to several plaintiffs who were harmed by the negligent actions of a defendant in a civil lawsuit.
The laws that govern a class action suit are determined by Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 23, which states that one or more members of a group may serve as representatives for other members. This is preferable to filing several individual lawsuits where one plaintiff is going up against a big corporation.
Procedure 23 outlines the types of class action lawsuits that are permissible. It also stipulates the legal methods plaintiffs are entitled to use and the manner in which plaintiffs and their attorneys will be compensated.
The advantages of filing a class action suit include:
- It’s more practical to file a single lawsuit.
- There is no cost to join a class action lawsuit.
- A large group of plaintiffs have increased leverage.
- There are legal issues shared by everyone in a class.
- Attorneys can effectively represent the interests of the whole class.
What Is a Lead Plaintiff in a Class Action Lawsuit?
In a class action lawsuit, members of the class are represented by a lead plaintiff who serves as class representative for everyone who signs on to the case. A lead plaintiff performs the following functions on behalf of their fellow class members:
- Helping gather evidence
- Consulting with call members
- Participating in hearings
- Attending trial
- Accepting or rejecting settlement offers
Types of Class Action Lawsuits
A class action lawsuit is an effective strategy that can be used to address several types of harmful behavior that may be committed by a corporation or any other large institution. These lawsuits may address various types of wrongdoing and illegal activities that injure people, including:
- Environmental hazards
- Harmful and defective products
- Discrimination
- Antitrust
- Data breaches
- Consumer fraud
- Insurance fraud
- Securities and antitrust fraud
- Predatory lending
- Breach of contract
Filing a Class Action Lawsuit
As soon as attorneys for the plaintiffs have determined that a lawsuit is feasible, they can begin the class action process. There are typically five steps in a class action lawsuit:
- Gathering plaintiffs. A group of people who have been harmed may come together on their own and seek legal representation, or a law firm that is representing a client may look for additional plaintiffs who have suffered similar mistreatment. Plaintiffs may be able to join a class action by submitting their information to a website.
- Filing a lawsuit. Attorneys for the plaintiffs will draft a complaint that outlines the case, defines class members, and seeks monetary compensation and other forms of redress for the situation, such as forcing a corporation to clean up spills and address other types of environmental damage.
- Class certification. The court will certify the class, which means confirming that the plaintiffs meet the definition of a class as defined by federal regulations.
- Discovery. During this phase of the lawsuit, both sides will gather information and sworn testimony to support their case.
- Resolution. A class action lawsuit may be settled, dismissed, or go to trial. Any type of resolution requires the court’s approval.
Finding the Right Attorney for Your Class Action Lawsuit
Filing and winning a class action lawsuit is a large undertaking. It requires experience, judgment, and the willingness to take on large interests. The nationally recognized trial lawyers at Butler Prather LLP have been standing up for people who were injured by big corporations for over 35 years.
Butler Prather LLP wins big cases against powerful defendants. For example, our firm won a $135 million award against a solar company that caused extensive environmental damage in Stewart County, GA. We’ve also taken on the major automakers in defective product lawsuits and won the largest trucking accident verdict in US history.
We’ve Won Over a Billion Dollars for Our Clients
No matter how big of a case we are filing, the attorneys at Butler Prather LLP never lose sight of what’s important — helping our clients get justice after they have been wronged.
If you or a loved one was seriously harmed by someone’s careless behavior or the wrongdoing of a corporation, call Butler Prather LLP today at (706) 322-1990.