What Is a Class Action Lawsuit?

Brad Nakase, Attorney

Email | Tel 888-600-8654

A class action lawsuit is when multiple people who have been injured in a similar way by one person or entity file a joint lawsuit. By combining their powers and resources, they file a big lawsuit that attracts more attention and therefore is more likely to get a positive result than a number of single lawsuits. The courts prefer that people file class action lawsuits when many people have been harmed in a similar way as it takes up a lot less of the court’s time and resources. If you are considering a class action lawsuit, then you should work with a class action lawyer. Finding a class action lawyer who has experience in filing class action lawsuits will increase your chances of success.

Benefits of Class Action Lawsuits

Legal costs are divided amongst all of the plaintiffs
Lawyers fees are handled on a contingency basis (you only pay if you win the class action lawsuit)
All the plaintiffs (except the lead plaintiff) will take a passive role and be updated regularly
Even plaintiffs with small amounts of damages get an equal say in the class action lawsuit

Class action lawsuits serve to amplify your message and show just how much damage the company or person’s negligence or intentional actions have caused. The State of California published a study of California Class Action Litigation.

It is important to note that the California Department of Health Care Services’ (DHCS) Class Action Recovery Program seeks reimbursement for services that Medi-Cal paid for on behalf of its members who are involved in third party actions, such as product liability, vaccine/ medication-related injuries, and exposure to asbestos/ other environmental toxins.

Free Consultation

Call (888) 600-8654

How Do Class Action Lawsuits Work?

One of the first steps in a class action lawsuit is identifying a lead plaintiff. This sometimes happens when one person brings a case to a lawyer, and they realize it can be a much bigger case. It might also happen if a group of people start a class action lawsuit and talk to a lawyer as a group. Generally, all the plaintiffs will elect a lead plaintiff that they trust to work with the attorney and keep everyone updated. The lead plaintiff in a class action lawsuit must be organized and be easily contacted.

Your class action lawyer will file a lawsuit with the appropriate court and ask for formal certification to recognize the initial group of plaintiffs as a class. This is the first step in a class action lawsuit and is necessary to allow other plaintiffs to join the case.

The next step is to identify anyone else who may be affected to join the class action lawsuit. If it is an employment law dispute, then the lawyer and the lead plaintiff will work together to talk to all present and prior employees and see if they have been harmed. For defective products or breach of contract class action lawsuits, an ad may be printed in the paper or distributed online to reach other potential plaintiffs.

It is best to join a class action lawsuit as soon as possible as often the initial group of plaintiffs will get priority when receiving compensation. If the company has poor finances and there is a risk that it will go bankrupt, the later you join the class action lawsuit, the lower the priority to give you compensation. On top of the class action lawsuit, you can also file a claim for specific damages from the company. This covers any additional costs you may have suffered that were not mentioned in the class action lawsuit. For example, a class action lawsuit may be for a defective product that caused illness and caused people to miss work. The illness may have exacerbated a health condition you have, and you were admitted to the hospital because of the defective product. The class action lawsuit will cover damages for the defective product and missed work, but you can also file a claim to recover medical bills.

If you are considering a class action lawsuit, speak to Nakase Law Firm. We are experienced in personal injury, employment, and breach of contract class action lawsuits. Contact us for a free consultation where you can discuss your case and learn more about the process. There is no need to feel overwhelmed; we will walk you through every step of the process and advocate for you and the other plaintiffs.

How do I know if I am exempt from overtime pay?

Check if you qualify for California overtime pay in 2026, including daily, weekly, and seventh-day rules. See exemption tests, salary thresholds, union contract exceptions, and steps to recover unpaid wages with penalties and filing deadlines.

Working Off the Clock: California Law

Working off the clock in California can trigger back pay, overtime, and penalties when employees work unpaid hours you knew about. Get examples, warning signs, and practical steps to prevent payroll issues, burnout, and costly wage claims.

Retaliation in the Workplace in California: What It Means and How It Works

Workplace retaliation in California can include firing, reduced hours, demotions, write-ups, or isolation after reporting harassment, discrimination, or safety issues. See what counts as retaliation, what doesn’t, and how to document patterns, preserve evidence, and build a timeline supporting a claim.

Is Automatic Gratuity Legal in California in 2025?

Automatic gratuity remains legal in California in 2025, but restaurants must follow strict disclosure, payroll, and tax handling rules. This guide explains service charge requirements, IRS treatment, staff training, and practical compliance steps for restaurant owners.

Salary History Ban States: Full Breakdown of State and Local Rules

This guide outlines salary history ban states, covering statewide and local rules, effective dates, and how hiring pay questions are limited. It explains where employers cannot ask, use, or rely on past compensation during hiring or promotion decisions.

How Makeup Time Works in California and When It Can Be Used

California makeup time lets employees shift weekly hours without overtime when requests are written and limits stay within Labor Code rules. This article explains eligibility, daily and weekly caps, alternative workweeks, and employer restrictions that affect payroll compliance.

Can Family Members Work Together? Legal, Ethical, and Workplace Considerations

Can family members work together legally and ethically, with insights on nepotism, labor laws, tax issues, and workplace fairness. This guide weighs benefits and risks of hiring relatives and shares practical steps to protect morale, compliance, and business relationships.

California Guard Card Requirements: A Simple Guide to Getting Your License

See what California Guard Card requirements involve, from eligibility and background checks to training hours and BSIS approval. Get practical steps to qualify as a professional security guard in California and start working with confidence and compliance.

Vacation Pay in California: Rules on Accrual, Caps, and Payouts

Get a practical overview of California vacation pay rules, including accrual methods, lawful caps, and payout obligations for departing employees. Help your company avoid wage claims by setting compliant vacation policies, tracking balances accurately, and paying unused time on separation.

Personnel File Request California: Employee Rights and Employer Duties

Get a practical overview of California personnel file requests, including employee rights, employer duties, record contents, and medical privacy rules. See how deadlines, penalties, and strict documentation practices affect compliance when workers request copies of their personnel records.

Employer vs Supervisor: Differences in Roles and Responsibilities

Compare employer and supervisor roles, from legal responsibility to daily management, so workers see who controls policies and everyday work. Get a simple breakdown of authority, decision making, and workplace impact to clarify who to approach when issues arise.

Fast Food Council California: Wage Debates, Delays, and What’s Happening Now

Get the latest on California's Fast Food Council, $20 minimum wage debates, and stalled decisions affecting workers and franchise owners. See how conflicting research, rising menu prices, and council delays could influence jobs, hours, and the future of fast food.

Predictive Scheduling Laws in California: Key Rules for Employers in Major Cities

Overview of California predictive scheduling and Fair Workweek rules for employers in Berkeley, Emeryville, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Jose. See key coverage thresholds, scheduling notice rules, predictability pay, and extra hours obligations to reduce legal risk and worker disputes.

Outside Sales Exemption California: Definition, Requirements, and Employee Rights

Practical insight into California's outside sales exemption, including definition, legal requirements, misclassification risks, and differences from inside sales roles. Protect your workplace rights regarding overtime, minimum wage, meal breaks, and eligibility as an outside salesperson under California and federal law.

Computer Professional Exemption California: 2025 Salary Rules and Job Duty Requirements

This article covers California's 2025 computer professional exemption, pay levels, and duty rules tied to overtime status. It also explains misclassification risks, rest breaks, and how state and federal standards affect wages for computer staff.

Defamation Lawsuit California: Workplace Defamation Claims and Employee Rights

California employees can sue for workplace defamation when false statements harm their reputation, job prospects, income, or professional relationships. This guide explains slander and libel, filing deadlines, employer reference rules, and potential damages under California workplace defamation law.

Meal Waiver in California: Worker Rights and Meal Break Laws

See how meal waiver rules in California affect your right to meal breaks, extra pay, and daily schedules. Protect yourself from invalid waivers, missed meal periods, and retaliation by knowing California labor rules and your legal options.

Dynamex ABC Test: California Supreme Court Says It Applies Retroactively

See how California's Dynamex ABC Test and the Vazquez decision make worker classification rules apply retroactively to employers. Review impacts on wage orders, AB 5 exemptions, gig workers, and ongoing misclassification lawsuits across California industries.

California Rounding Rules 2025: Laws, Recent Cases, and Payroll Compliance

Get up-to-date insight on California rounding rules 2025, recent court decisions, and how they impact wages and overtime. Help your business strengthen payroll compliance, protect employee rights, and reduce rounding disputes with precise time-tracking guidance.

California DOT Hours of Service Rules: Interstate vs Intrastate, Federal HOS, Breaks, and Exemptions

Get an overview of California DOT hours of service rules for interstate and intrastate drivers, required breaks, exemptions, and penalties. See how federal FMCSA HOS rules, hazardous materials, ELD mandates, and short-haul exceptions apply differently from California intrastate regulations.

California Labor Laws on Clocking In and Out: Employee Rights, Off-the-Clock Work, and Time Rounding Rules

Get the facts on California clock-in rules, off-the-clock work bans, and time rounding practices that impact your paycheck. Protect your rights, catch illegal timekeeping, and ensure every minute you work in California is accurately recorded and fully paid.

Are Arbitration Agreements Enforceable in California? Lessons from Ramirez v. Charter Communications

Ramirez v. Charter Communications explains when employment arbitration agreements remain enforceable under California law and highlights key fairness issues. Strengthen your arbitration clauses by promoting mutual remedies, reasonable procedures, and compliance with FEHA protections against one-sided or oppressive terms.

Does Volunteer Work Count as Employment? U.S. Immigration & Labor Rules

See when U.S. law treats volunteer roles as employment, including risks for F-1 and J-1 students. Get guidance on legal volunteering, unpaid internships, nonprofits, and Department of Labor factors that prevent unauthorized employment.

Are Working Interviews Legal? Employer Rules, Pay Requirements, and Compliance Risks

See when working interviews are legal, including employer rules, pay requirements, and compliance risks under federal and California law. Protect your company by paying candidates for tryouts, following safety standards, and avoiding misclassification during working interviews and skills tests.

Separation of Employment vs Termination: Key Differences and HR Best Practices

Separation of Employment vs Termination explains how resignations, layoffs, and absconding differ and affect HR decisions and documentation. Gain practical HR tips for handling exits, safeguarding company interests, managing expatriate employees, and minimizing legal risk in employee separations.

Group Audit: SAS No. 149 Requirements, Roles, Documentation, and Effective Date

SAS No. 149 outlines group audit requirements, roles, communication duties, aggregation risk, and documentation expectations for audit teams. It also explains responsibilities for group engagement partners, component auditors, referred-to auditors, and the SAS 149 effective date.

California CCP 1001: Expanded Restrictions on Employer Non-disclosure and Non-disparagement Agreements

California CCP 1001 and the Silenced No More Act restrict employer nondisclosure and nondisparagement clauses in workplace settlement agreements. Updated FEHA provisions protect employees who share information about unlawful workplace conduct and set strict limits on severance confidentiality.