Ocala Class Action Consumer Litigation Lawyer
Consumers—just another name for everyday Americans—are constantly being swindled by big business. Personal data, such as health records and credit card numbers, are not being properly safeguarded by insurers and credit card companies. Multi-billion dollar energy companies pollute the earth and violate Environmental Protection Agency regulations to reduce their expenses—expenses that are inevitably passed down to taxpayers when the mess has to get cleaned up. What keeps companies from cheating or causing harm to consumers? Is it that consumers will eventually stop buying their products? Will a state or federal government agency step in and stop the company’s misdoings? Do CEOs, presidents, and upper management decide to change their ways for moral or ethical reasons? While these idealistic answers may occasionally play out, the truth is that it is up to everyday Americans to take a stand and speak up by filing lawsuits when big businesses take advantage. The Ocala class action consumer litigation lawyers at The Pendas Law Firm is ready to get started whenever you are.
How a Class Action Lawsuit Works
A class action lawsuit is brought by the class representative, which can be one or a handful of people. Additional plaintiffs may join the lawsuit as it gains momentum, helping to build the strength of the suit. Instead of dozens of people filing separate lawsuits, dozens or hundreds of people can come together to file a single class action consumer lawsuit. This allows legal resources to be pooled together, as many lawyers and often multiple law firms end up contributing to the case. Not only does this improve each plaintiff’s chances of winning the case, but it allows them to divert less of their personal attention, energy, and resources into litigation. Because class action lawsuits involve so many plaintiffs and so much money, they often set the stage for large societal changes and new laws.
Some Large Class Action Lawsuits of the Past
- 1998 Tobacco Settlement—In 1998, Philip Morris and two other big tobacco manufacturers settled with 46 states and the District of Columbia for $206 billion, the largest civil settlement in history, according to CNN, to cover medical expenses caused by cancer and other smoking-caused illnesses;
- Volkswagen Emissions—The German automaker Volkswagen settled for $10 billion after it was confirmed that the company intentionally misled consumers about 475,000 polluting vehicles. The company agreed to pay owners of the faulty vehicle between $5,000 and $10,000 plus the estimated cost of the vehicle, according to Reuters.
- Enron Scandal—The energy company Enron committed insider trading, securities fraud, conspiracy, and more before it went bankrupt, according to Investopedia. Enron shareholders sued the company for $7.2 billion, according to Chron.
Reach Out to an Experienced Lawyer at The Pendas Law Firm
Our society is largely shaped by lawsuits, and the biggest type of lawsuit is a class action lawsuit. Here at The Pendas Law Firm, we have successfully litigated some of the largest class action suits in Florida. We encourage you to reach out to the Ocala lawyers of the Pendas Law Firm today at 1-844-200-0000 to schedule a free consultation.
