Class Actions

For over four decades, consumers have trusted the attorneys at Caroselli, Beachler & Coleman, L.L.C., to protect them from unfair trade practices and harmful products. Our firm is a leader in representing clients in diverse areas, ranging from defective equipment and toys to unsafe vehicles to breached land leases and insurance coverage denials.

We understand that money doesn’t solve every problem. In addition to the financial compensation paid to injured parties, we are proud that our work has helped play a role in making products safer, and consumers are treated more fairly as well.

Our attorneys excel both in their communities and in the courtroom. If you have suffered a breach of contract or personal data, been exposed to dangerous products or chemicals, or been defrauded by deceptive financial or advertising practices, find out how our respected class action attorneys can help. Contact our office today to schedule a free consultation.

Class Action Litigation

There are many misconceptions about what class actions are and what they can accomplish. Class-action litigation is when a group of people, or a “class”, bring a lawsuit, or action, against one or more defendants.

A class-action lawsuit can be on a statewide or nationwide basis, depending on the circumstances of the case. When a group of people has been similarly harmed by the same company or entity, they may be able to come together to pursue damages.

Types of Class Action Lawsuits

Class actions can occur in a variety of circumstances, some of the cases we have been involved in include:

• AdultBasic
• Westmoreland Hospital unnecessary stenting
• Drug litigation (pharmaceuticals)
• Insurance litigation
• Automotive litigation
• False and misleading advertising
• Defective consumer products
• Data breaches
• Deceptive financial services
• Chemical/environmental exposure
• Failure to pay Royalties from gas companies

Due to the complex nature of consumer class action claims and the resources required to prosecute them, many law firms will decline to take such cases. However, many other law offices will refer their clients to us, knowing our experience and track record in this field.

Why Pursue a Class Action?

In many class actions, the individual damages incurred may not be worth enough to justify filing a lawsuit. These claims permit a large group of plaintiffs to pool their resources, such as expert witnesses, evidence, and the costs of litigation. When substantial numbers of people suffer the same financial injury, a class-action attorney can be invaluable in successfully pursuing a claim.

A majority of class-action claims involve large corporations or businesses taking advantage of a group of individuals. Large corporations have deep pockets to defend against individual legal actions. They also routinely place profits above consumer safety and fairness.

When a large group of consumers comes together in a class against one of these Goliath-like companies, they have a much better chance of prevailing and making a difference. Class action lawsuits can level the playing field and make large corporations accountable for negligence, carelessness, and apathy.

A class-action lawsuit presents the opportunity to affect real change in an industry that could be causing serious harm to consumers. Further, it costs you nothing to be a member of a class. With a class-action lawsuit, your attorney only gets paid if they are successful with the claim.

Components of a Class Action Lawsuit

Unlike a typical lawsuit, a class action suit involves a large group of plaintiffs that are combining resources to sue one or more defendants. Before a class action lawsuit can exist, it must be shown that it would be impractical to file individual cases, and that the issues are common enough that one attorney (or legal team) can fairly represent all of the parties.

Those are just the prerequisites to establish a class. These lawsuits are complicated at best and rarely settled quickly. Some of the common components of a class action include:

• Filing the lawsuit– Once our legal team has analyzed all of the information available and determines that there is a strong case, a class action lawsuit is filed.
• Certification– After the case is filed, the court will determine whether or not it qualifies as a class action and establishes the variables. The court might also suggest discovery, which is a procedure used to gather evidence before a trial.
• Objections– If certified by the court, the defendant can make a series of objections, such as stating that the claim isn’t valid or that the plaintiffs aren’t appropriate representatives of the class.
• Announcements– Once objections are handled, the class action is announced to the public. This allows additional parties that have been impacted by the defendant’s actions to become aware of the lawsuit and potentially join the case.
• Settlement– Often, a class action lawsuit will settle out of court, which provides compensation to the members. But this isn’t always the case. The defendant may refuse to settle or fail to offer a fair figure. Then it will need to go to trial. In some cases, it might take several months to over a year to resolve one of these cases. Once resolved, the judge will need to approve the disbursement of settlement funds to all plaintiffs.

Class Actions Our Firm Has Recently Worked On

Caroselli, Beachler & Coleman, L.L.C. successfully represented a class of landowners in Western Pennsylvania who had not been paid proper royalties by gas companies. In many cases, gas companies take improper deductions and withhold royalties from landowners.

You May Have A Claim. Contact Us Today. 

Many people who are eligible for class-action litigation are unaware that they have a claim. If you have questions about whether a company is paying you proper royalties, or if you have other concerns, contact our firm today. Our law firm has an office in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and offers a free initial consultation to discuss your case. Call 412-391-9860 if you live in Pittsburgh or Western Pennsylvania, or toll-free at 866-466-5789.