A class action is a lawsuit filed by a large group of injured parties (collectively called a “class”). All class members are treated as one plaintiff. There is a class representative, an individual or group of individuals who stand in for the rest of the class.
These cases are increasingly common, with most consumers having received notices of class actions in recent years, such as the NEC Baby Formula Lawsuit. If you’ve suffered an injury but the economic loss isn’t enough for an individual lawsuit, it’s best to consult with a seasoned class action attorney as soon as possible.
At Nelson & Nelson, our experienced class action attorneys in Belleville, IL, represent plaintiffs in lawsuits across Illinois and Missouri. We’ve successfully represented numerous plaintiffs in complex class action cases against large entities and their high-priced legal teams. Our depth of understanding allows us to assess your case quickly and thoroughly to determine the best course of action.
If you have concerns about a product label, business practice, service cost, or other related legal issues, we can help. Call our Belleville class action law firm today!
Contact UsWhat is a Class Action Lawsuit?
A class action lawsuit is often preferable to filing numerous individual lawsuits against a single entity. This is especially true when many people suffer small economic losses, and filing individual suits would be impractical.
For example, if someone takes $25 or $50 from you and refuses to return it, you likely wouldn’t pursue a lawsuit, as the legal costs would be greater than the compensation the court would allow. However, if thousands of others are in the same situation and none will file a suit, it allows the wrongdoer to continue profiting from their actions. In this case, a class action lawsuit can fix the problem by uniting all those individuals into one case, making it easier to seek justice collectively.
Types of Class Action Lawsuits
There are several types of cases in which legal action may be appropriate; including:
- Defective Products
- Vehicle Part Defects
- Predatory Lending Practices
- Unlawful Debt Collection Practices
- Overcharging for a Product or Service
- Securities Fraud
- Civil Rights Violations
Our team of class action attorneys in Belleville, IL, has handled many cases of this nature.
In one of those cases, the corporation in question made salsa.
The company made false claims about its products being “all-natural,” which turned out untrue. As part of the settlement, the company agreed to remove that claim from its label.

Types of Class Action Lawsuits
There are several types of cases in which a class action may be appropriate, these include:
- Product Defects
- Vehicle Part Defects
- Predatory Lending Practices
- Unlawful Debt Collection Practices
- Overcharging for a Product or Service
- Securities Fraud
- Civil Rights Violations
- Unlawful Employment Practices
We’ve handled many class action cases, and they can come in many forms. In one of those cases, the corporation made salsa. It claimed the salsa was “all-natural.” But it wasn’t. As part of the settlement agreement, the corporation agreed to change its label by removing the claim that the salsa was “all-natural.”
How Does the Class Action Process Work?
The class action process begins when a lawyer files a lawsuit on behalf of a group of citizens, known as the “class.” However, not all members of the class take part in litigation. Instead, one individual, or sometimes a small group of representatives, stands in for the rest of the class.
Several requirements must be met to certify eligibility for a class action:
- Numerosity: The class is so numerous that it would be impractical for all individual members to file separate lawsuits
- Commonality: Common factual and legal claims exist among the members of the class
- Typicality: The claims made are typical among the members of the class
- Skilled Representation: The class has adequate legal representation to protect its members’ rights and interests
In every class action lawsuit, the class representative (or class plaintiff), which is an individual or small group of individuals, will file the class action against the entity for themselves and on behalf of everyone affected. While only the class plaintiff or plaintiffs participate in the litigation and trial, any compensation awarded will benefit every member of the class, hopefully returning to them what has been lost.
A class action can be filed in a state court or a federal court. If the impact of the entity’s negligent or reckless actions reaches far beyond state boundaries, then it is more likely that the action will end up in federal court. Once a class action is certified, the judge is responsible for defining the scope.
If ongoing harm to the class persists (e.g., if the corporation continues to cheat consumers), the plaintiff may ask the court to order the corporation to stop its wrongful actions, such as changing a misleading label. Often, cases settle, and the court will approve agreements in which the corporation promises to make changes in exchange for dismissing the lawsuit.

How Does the Class Action Process Work?
The class action process begins when a lawyer files the class action lawsuit on behalf of the whole group of citizens — called the “class.” But not all members of the class take part in the litigation.
Instead, the class is represented by one individual (or sometimes a small group like three or four) who stand in for the rest of the class.
There are a number of factors that must be considered in determining whether or not to file a class action. In general, for a proposed class to become certified, the following requirements must be met:
- Numerosity: The class is so numerous that it would be impractical for all individual members to file separate lawsuits;
- Commonality: Common factual and legal claims exist among the members of the class;
- Typicality: The claims made are typical among the members of the class;
- Skilled Representation: The class has adequate legal representation to ensure that the rights and interests of its members are protected.
Get Expert Guidance from Belleville Class Action Attorneys
Class actions can be an effective legal avenue for holding parties responsible when their negative actions cause injury to a large number of victims. Specific criteria must be met for a class to be certified, however, and the class needs solid legal representation.
At Nelson & Nelson, we understand the intricacies of class action lawsuits and can thoroughly assess your case to determine if this type of action is appropriate. We enjoy working on class actions because when we win, we win on behalf of hundreds or thousands of people.
Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation with our class action attorneys in Belleville, IL, or call us at (618) 277-5000.

In every class action lawsuit, there is a class representative (or a class plaintiff) and the class. The class representative is an individual or small group of individuals who will file the class action against the entity for themselves and a larger group of people similarly affected. Only the class plaintiff or plaintiffs participate in the litigation and trial. But if the plaintiff wins, the compensation will benefit every member in the class, hopefully returning to them what has been lost.
A class action can be filed in a state court or a federal court. If the impact of the entity’s negligent or reckless actions reaches far beyond state boundaries, then it is more likely that the action will end up in federal court. Once a class action is certified, the judge is responsible for defining the scope.
If the harm to the class is ongoing – if the corporation continues to cheat consumers – then the plaintiff may ask the court to make the corporation stop. For example, the court could order the corporation to change its label.
And sometimes the case settles, and in the settlement agreement that is approved by the court, the corporation agrees to change the label voluntarily in exchange for dismissal of the lawsuit.
Discuss your Potential Class Action Lawsuit with Nelson & Nelson Today
Class actions can be an effective legal avenue for holding parties responsible when their negative actions cause injury to a large number of victims. Certain criteria must be met for a class to be certified, however, and it is important for the class to have strong legal representation.
At Nelson & Nelson, we thoroughly understand how class actions work, and we can fully assess your case to determine if this type of action would be appropriate. We enjoy working on class actions because when we win, we win on behalf of hundreds or thousands of people.
For a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our experienced attorneys, contact us today at (618) 277-5000.
