Representing the interests of plaintiffs involved in class actions throughout NJ
You may be eligible to join a class action against the corporation responsible for your injuries and losses if you have been the victim of fraud, have incurred financial loss due to a defective product, or have been wounded by a piece of defective medical equipment.
Eichen Crutchlow Zaslow, LLP’s New Jersey class action attorneys have over three decades of expertise defending clients in class action litigation. We are here to counsel you on your legal options for pursuing a class action.
What is a class action?
A class action lawsuit permits a large group of individuals to sue a business or corporation that has caused them harm or injury. According to the Cornell Legal Information Institute, a class action is a procedure that allows one or more plaintiffs to file and prosecute a case on behalf of a larger group, or “class.” Simply put, the technique helps courts to manage cases that would otherwise be unmanageable if each class member (individuals who have experienced the same injustice at the hands of the defendant) were needed to be a named plaintiff.
The class action has its roots in English common law as a means for the efficient management of litigation involving multiple plaintiffs suing the same defendant. An example of a class action may be a product liability case. Hundreds, if not thousands, of consumers may have the same complaint regarding an injury, bad side effect, or pharmaceutical side effect. Instead of everyone filing individual cases, a single class action is filed employing a lead plaintiff who will represent all class members, who must be certified by the court. Once the complaint has been designated as a class action, the lead plaintiff is required to notify all class members.
How is a class action different from a civil lawsuit?
Typically, a civil lawsuit has a single plaintiff (the person filing the complaint) and multiple defendants (the person or persons against whom the lawsuit is being filed). In a class action, the class is a group of individuals with similar claims against the same defendant.
Who can file a class action?
A person who has experienced an accident, whether it be bodily harm or a financial loss that many others may share, can initiate a lawsuit to recover damages. If you believe you have grounds for a class action, you may schedule a free consultation with an expert New Jersey class action attorney who will listen to your story and explain your legal options.
Eichen Crutchlow Zaslow, LLP secures $30 million in a class action against OSRAM Sylvania, Inc.
In class action lawsuits, Eichen Crutchlow Zaslow, LLP has achieved multiple multimillion-dollar verdicts and settlements on behalf of plaintiffs. In 2015, OSRAM Sylvania, Inc. paid $30 million to resolve the class action lawsuit filed against them. The case was taken on behalf of consumers who purchased Sylvania’s premium SilverStar headlamps, which were much more expensive than ordinary auto headlamps and promised to boost visibility.
Consumer fraud and class action lawsuits
Typically, class actions are filed by victims of consumer fraud. Individuals who were deceived into purchasing products that did not live up to their package claims may have grounds to initiate a class action lawsuit. You may be eligible for compensatory and punitive damages under the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act if you have been the victim of deceptive advertising and business activities.
Our attorneys have represented New Jersey and nationwide clients in class actions. Among our most famous verdicts and settlements are the following:
- $3.75 billion national settlements on behalf of consumers who took Fen-Phen.
- $51 million verdict against multiple drug manufacturers which had been overcharging Medicare and Medicaid recipients in Pennsylvania.
- $41.5 million settlement on behalf of Zetia and Vytorin users, after those drugs had no positive effects on their health at all.
- Undisclosed settlement amount on behalf of consumers overcharged by DCH Auto Group.
Consulting with an experienced NJ class action lawyer can ensure that your legal rights are protected
There are many advantages to bringing a class action case, but you will need to speak with an experienced New Jersey class action attorney to ensure that correct filing procedures and notification requirements are followed. At Eichen Crutchlow Zaslow, LLP, we are committed to assisting all plaintiffs in obtaining the justice and recompense to which they are legally entitled.
Court certification of a class action lawsuit requires familiarity with legal language, knowledge of the law, filing deadlines, and other procedural difficulties. Our New Jersey class action attorneys are committed to providing our clients with excellent advice and competent representation and are aware of what is expected of them.