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What Is a Class Member?
A Class Member is a person or entity who belongs to a specific group that is directly affected by allegations against a defendant in a class action lawsuit.
When a class action lawsuit is filed, the plaintiff files it on behalf of a proposed Class that was affected by some harmful action or omission by a defendant. However, members of the proposed Class do not actually become Class Members until a judge says so. The plaintiff must convince the judge that Class certification is appropriate.
Two important factors must be met before a judge will approve a Class: the case must be appropriate to handle as a class action lawsuit (instead of an individual lawsuit) and the lead plaintiff must be an appropriate representative for the Class.
How Does a Judge Decide if a Class Should Be Certified?
To meet the requirements for Class certification, there must be a large enough number of affected individuals that it’s impractical for each of them to bring their own individual lawsuit, and there must be questions of law that are common to each Class Member. That means the injury suffered by each Class Member must be pretty much the same.
When a court grants Class certification, it must also approve a plaintiff as a Class representative. This means a judge has to find that the lead plaintiff has made allegations that will apply to the Class as a whole, and that the lead plaintiff will be able to fairly and adequately protect the interests of the Class Members.
It is important to note here that once a person or entity falls under the definition of a Class Member for a class action lawsuit, their legal rights are affected. Depending on the type of class action lawsuit, a Class Member may have to opt-in to be included.
In most cases, a Class Member will be included whether or not they take any action. This means that, if the outcome of the case is decided through trial or a settlement, the Class Members will be unable to take action against the defendant or defendants for the same legal issue (unless they opt out of the class action lawsuit).
How Do I Know if I’m a Class Member?
When a class action lawsuit is certified, the judge will provide a Class Definition. The Class Definition will explain who may qualify to benefit from the class action lawsuit.
In most class action lawsuits, it is easy to figure out who belongs in the Class. For example, if your current cable company is named as the defendant, the company will be able to identify you in their system and notify you about your status as a Class Member.
For class action lawsuits involving minor purchases, such as a box of cereal or can of tuna, it is pretty much impossible for companies to identify every single consumer who purchased the product. In these cases, a court typically orders the defendant to notify Class Members through advertisements. These notices are often posted in magazines, newspapers and online.
Top Class Actions is another great resource for consumers who want to be informed about class action lawsuits for which they may qualify. We post information about the latest consumer class action lawsuits that have been filed and settled.
Sign up for our newsletter to stay updated on the latest class action news, or take a look at our Open Settlements to find out if you qualify for any. We’ll let you know if you need to take action to receive compensation or other benefits from a class action lawsuit.
Related FAQ Articles:
- What is a Class Action Settlement?
- How Does a Class Action Lawsuit Work?
- How Do I Join a Class Action Lawsuit?
- SEE ALL FAQ ARTICLES
11 thoughts onWhat Is a Class Member?
We went to taco Bell and my kids took couple of bites and told me it didn’t taste right. I smelled it and it had a chemical smell I think it has something to do with the meat. My kids stomach started hurting and later on they was sick to their stomach. I called the taco bell and they told me it’s not their fault. I told them it has a chemical smell and from what I looked up after fussing with them there has been others that has had the same thing happened. They have food that is bad and is serving it to customers and in turn it is making people sick. Is there anything we can do to get justice for everyone that has been poisoned from them. It really upsets me when I even called and told them and they called me a lier I told them I would bring the food back down and they could taste or smell it and they just told me nothing they could do.
How do l get my member ID #
I workfor Gap Inc Our company was hacked by Kronos last year. We went weeks without being paid including our information being stolen. Do I qualify for class action lawsuit?
Hi, last year I went to Aspen dental to get evaluated for bottom dentures. The kind with the implants holding them in place. Well I needed top dentures, 8 tooth extractions on the bottom. Two implants on the bottom and finally the bottom dentures. I am a disabled Veteran and they charged me over 12 grand even though that in June of 2022 Aspen announced that they would be doing dental work for free, I had to take pout a loan to pay for my dental care! At the inital visit I didn’t have dental insurance,. Aspen gave me an 8 hundred veteran discount. Well at my next appt. I told them that I had procured a dental PROGRAM to offset the cost. When the reconfigured the cost of my dental plan they decided to take away the vet discount!!!! The office is shady. I went in last week and they told me I had a balance of 286. I didn’t owe them any money. I paid them over 12 grand already with everything included. The girl at the desk after arguing with me, she came back and said that the amount was wiped. What the heck does that mean? Anyway please help.
Sincerely.
Stephanie Partin
How do I know if I have member ID I been data breaches with all of my information and email address account Thanks
No answers since September of Last Year, and the lawsuit will end in 4 days.
How do you get a Class Action ID?
I’ve been searching, and as far as I can tell there is no such thing. But they are asking for one.
Need to file claim big asap
How do I find my member ID #
I filed for Lumber Liquidators and said I qualified and was told I would receive a check because of this terrible flooring, When will this be settled?
How do I find my member ID #
How do I find my member I’d #