Wirtz Law Blog

If you receive a class-action notice in the mail, you may feel a bit caught off guard. If you’re unsure of what steps to take next, this blog post is for you. You’ll learn your options and find out why you should never ignore a class-action notice pertaining to your vehicle. 

What is a class-action lawsuit?

When a civil lawsuit is brought on behalf of a large group of people or businesses, it’s called a class-action lawsuit. When multiple people or entities are affected by a legal dispute, a class action is the most practical way for the court, the plaintiffs, and the defendants to negotiate. 

If you receive a class-action notice in regards to your vehicle, it’s likely because a defect caused extensive damages or injuries to consumers like you. So if you find a notice in your mail, treat it with great care. Below you’ll find the steps you should take after receiving a class-action lawsuit notice. 

Read the Notice

This may seem obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people fail to read their class-action notice carefully. If this is the first time you’ve received a notice about your vehicle, pay close attention. It will likely provide you with three options.

You can participate as a class member, which means that you are automatically included in the lawsuit but give up your right to pursue compensation privately. Ignoring your notice will automatically put you in this category.

You can opt-out of the class by following the instructions provided in the notice. Read carefully to make sure you respond by the cut-off date. Otherwise, you will be included as a class member.

You can hire your own attorney and participate in the class action as a named party. If you take this option, it should be because you’ve experienced extensive damages and have a lot at stake. 

Call an Attorney for Help

Even if you feel drawn to one option over the others, it’s wise to consult an attorney before taking any action. Not all class-action notices are written clearly or in straightforward language. If you need help deciphering your notice and considering your options, turn to Wirtz Law APC. 

Keep Your Notice

Your notice will contain important information regarding your options and the class-action lawsuit as a whole. It’s best to keep this document in your files, regardless of whether you plan to participate in the suit or not. That way, you can refer back to it should you run into difficulties down the road. 

What should you expect from a class-action lawsuit?

If you decide to participate in the lawsuit, either as a class member or a named party, you may wonder what to expect. Here’s some information to help you weigh the pros and cons of a class-action lawsuit.

Pros:

• It can give you an advantage if you’re negotiating with a large corporation
• You’ll have little to no participation in the proceedings if you join as a class member
• The issue will be in the public spotlight, making it easier to hold big corporations accountable for wrongdoing

Cons:

• You may only receive a small percentage of the total payout, even if it seems very large at the outset
• Your compensation may be restricted to specific damages, not potential or future damages

The truth is, that a class-action lawsuit can become complicated quickly. You’ll want to make sure you have all the information and counsel you need to navigate the situation. Get in touch with our team today.

For more information call the experienced trial attorneys at (858) 259-5009 for a free case evaluation.