.png)
What Are the Benefits of a Class Action Lawsuit?
The traditional motto of the United States is E pluribus unum, Latin for "Out of many, one" — class action lawsuits are prime examples of individuals banding together for the singular goal of justice.
Class action lawsuits allow for many people who have the same injury or injustice in common to join together in one efficient case. Attorneys help identify the best plaintiff’s circumstance to use as a representative for the rest, and are able to advocate for many clients at once.
The benefits of class actions include efficiency, lower risk, and higher reward. Class action suits save enormous amounts of time for individuals. They also provide the best possible results for the largest number of plaintiffs by using the strongest case to take to court. There is a lower cost for litigation because the work is divided among so many plaintiffs, and there’s also a higher likelihood of financial recovery for all involved.
The attorneys at Pittman, Dutton, Hellums, Bradley & Mann have decades of experience in advocating for personal injury clients, including a $23 million dollar class action award against an insurance company. If you need to start or join a class action suit, reach out to us online or by calling (205) 322-8880 for a free, confidential consultation. For more information on what class action suits provide and how they work, read on.
What Kind of Compensation Can a Class Action Lawsuit Provide?
Class action lawsuit settlement funds and rewards may cover:
- Refunds for money stolen or mishandled
- Medical bill payment in cases of physical injury
- Compensation for pain, suffering, or time spent dealing with the incident
- Vouchers for future products or services
- Non-monetary remedies like disclosure (admitting to what happened) or reform (promising to never do it again)
- Attorneys’ fees coverage for the cost associated with preparing and pursuing the case
Among the exemplary case results achieved by Pittman, Dutton, Hellums, Bradley & Mann is a class action award of $23 million dollars. The case involved Physicians Mutual Insurance Company’s failure to pay for the benefits purchased by their customers. Those defrauded customers became our class of clients throughout the states of Alabama, Mississippi, and Texas. Such large payouts are shared amongst all who signed up for the class action suit.
Pittman, Dutton, Hellums, Bradley & Mann has successfully handled nationwide multi-million dollar class action cases. Join us to claim your fair share of the rewards you deserve.
What Is a Class Action Lawsuit?
A class action lawsuit is a legal filing that allows one case to represent a larger group, or “class.” A class is composed of those with a mutual interest or shared injury/injustice. These cases would likely be unmanageable or even impossible to settle one by one through our complex court systems.
By joining similar cases together, class action lawsuits bring the largest number of plaintiffs the highest possible reward. While your individual case may not be strong enough to pursue alone (insufficient or unclear evidence, for example), by joining a class action lawsuit, you become part of the strongest case in the bunch. That person is known as the “lead plaintiff.”
The lawsuit is developed based on the circumstances of the lead plaintiff (or named plaintiff or class representative)—their reward is your reward too. You may be able to access that compensation via the simple act of signing your name to an agreement. No cost, no consultation, and no risk involved on your part.
What Types of Cases Become Class Action Suits?
Many class action lawsuits are filed against large corporations that have nearly endless amounts of money to frustrate legal pursuits from individuals. The numbers are on our side in class action cases, signaling to companies and their corporate lawyers that there are too many plaintiffs to dismiss—it’s time to pay up.
Examples of class action lawsuit cases include:
Patients who were given or implanted with defective medical products (drugs like birth control pills or devices like artificial hips)
Customers who were underserved, overcharged, defrauded, or provided faulty goods, including identity theft and data breach issues
Workers who were underpaid in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act (wage theft)
Residents of an area that was poisoned or damaged by toxic exposure or a preventable fire
Members of a minority that is being discriminated against in business, housing, medicine, or government protections
Depending on the issue, your case may hinge on negligence, theft, or dishonesty. It may involve discrimination laws, breach of contract, illegal business practices, or other legal issues. Whatever the circumstances, your lawyer from Pittman, Dutton, Hellums, Bradley & Mann will prepare the evidence needed to negotiate a fair settlement or pursue damage awards via trial.
The “class” in a class action suit may be comprised of patients, customers, workers, residents, or members of a minority—anyone part of the affected group may join.
How Do You Start a Class Action Lawsuit? Or Join One?
Once they’re begun, class action suits can snowball, gaining plaintiffs and momentum as the word gets out. But how do you begin a class action lawsuit?
How to Start a Class Action Lawsuit
When it comes to how to file a class action lawsuit, that’s a job for your attorney. Your action is simple: contact a lawyer with class action experience as soon as possible.
It’s often attorneys who recognize the class action potential of a case. An attorney may obtain clients for a case after a far-reaching disaster (large fires, building collapses, or product recalls). A lawyer may also recognize that behind one client, there may be many more who have the same issue (sexual assault or harassment cases, a defective medical device or negligent doctor, or insurance fraud).
You may not know for sure if your individual issue is a problem affecting dozens, hundreds, or thousands of other people. By reaching out today, you could start the investigation that saves your neighbors money, hardship, or even saves their lives.
If you suspect you have a class action lawsuit on your hands, contact Pittman, Dutton, Hellums, Bradley & Mann for a secure, professional consultation.
How to Join a Class Action Lawsuit
If a class action lawsuit is already proposed or in progress, joining can be as easy as signing an online petition. Such is the case for product recalls—if you affirm that you bought the product, sometimes even without receipts, you may be in. For more complex cases, like recalls for cancer-causing products, you may need to call an attorney to verify your diagnosis and eligibility.
It doesn’t hurt to ask, and it may lead to enormous benefits for you and/or your community. Call Pittman, Dutton, Hellums, Bradley & Mann at (205) 322-8880 for information and eligibility requirements for ongoing class action suits.
Contact an Experienced Class Action Attorney
Class action cases can be greatly beneficial to plaintiffs who sign on, making a legal case accessible for far more individuals, and increasing the award potential for all. More than a win-win, it’s an exponential win that covers every party involved.
Pittman, Dutton, Hellums, Bradley & Mann is headquartered in Alabama, and regularly handles nationwide cases in personal injury, auto accident, medical and pharmaceutical litigation, consumer protection, and bad faith claims. These cases range from individual injuries to multiple-client class action suits. Our track record of success contains record-setting wins, including a multi-million dollar class action verdict.
We believe in personal attention, and always prioritize our clients’ best interests in every case we pursue. When you join one of our class action lawsuits, you’ll feel that personal attention no matter how many others share in it. Contact or call us today at (205) 322-8880 for your one-on-one consultation—we never lose sight of the individual while we fight for the greater good.
Client Testimonials for Pittman, Dutton, Hellums, Bradley & Mann
Hear from our previous clients about the service and support they received from our firm:
My case was one that was a part of a nationwide claim. I researched and prayed for the appropriate attorney and I found that in Mike Bradley. While my case lasted, Mike and his assistant Karen stayed current and knowledgeable on the status and updates. I never once called or emailed that one of them didn't respond to me immediately. Mike would call to answer an email because he felt it would be more personal and efficient than typing. I highly recommend this firm.
Cathye H.
We filed a lawsuit against an insurance company. No one likes to face the legal procedure of recovery but that must happen sometimes. The firm handled our case smoothly through arbitration and recovered our costs adequately. We felt that we were properly advised, they were thorough, very professional, and a pleasure to work with.
J. Criswell
I feel very fortunate to have met this firm. During the first conference, my attorney made me feel totally at ease when sharing my situation with him. He has a way about him that makes you feel his sincerity and honesty. Thank you for taking my burden and for the wonderful job that you did to complete my case successfully. I am VERY PLEASED!
Doris M.
What Do Our Clients Say?
Ruth Weakley
I highly recommend this law firm. I was always kept informed of any progress in my case. Any time I called them my concerns were met. Attorney Jon Mann was always very through in his responses. I can't thank this law firm for taking excellent care of my case.
Lee Huffstutler
Outstanding firm! Extremely pleased with the service, consistency & hard work of the firm as a whole and Michael Bradley as my representative.
Without a doubt, I would recommend anyone who is in need of a personal injury attorney to give Pittman, Dutton, Hellums, Bradley & Mann a call - good people that strive to look after your interests. Thanks for all you have done!
Larry Smith
I have nothing but great things to say about this firm. Initially I mostly spoke to Rebecca & she made me feel very comfortable in a stressful situation. Later many of my calls were with Jon Mann & he also spoke to me with respect & thoughtfulness. Kind of strange but a close bond between lawyers & a client but not only did we discuss the matter at hand but we would discuss our personal lives & the good & bad going on in my life & their concern for my health was comforting. I would definitely recommend this firm! Keep up the great work guys.
Doris M.
I feel very fortunate to have met this firm. During the first conference, my attorney made me feel totally at ease when sharing my situation with him. He has a way about him that makes you feel his sincerity and honesty. Thank you for taking my burden and for the wonderful job that you did to complete my case successfully. I am VERY PLEASED!
Cathye H.
My case was one that was a part of a nationwide claim. I researched and prayed for the appropriate attorney and I found that in Mike Bradley. While my case lasted, Mike and his assistant Karen stayed current and knowledgeable on the status and updates. I never once called or emailed that one of them didn't respond to me immediately. Mike would call to answer an email because he felt it would be more personal and efficient than typing. I highly recommend this firm.
Tyna B.
I would like to express my gratitude to Mr. Jon Mann of Pittman, Dutton, Hellums, Bradley & Mann. I am so grateful for your knowledge, passion, dedication, and professionalism you have exhibited through this entire ordeal. Mr. Jon Mann took in all the relevant information, analyzed it and created a plan to settle my case. Again, I value the help you've given me. Thank you!!
Emily W.
I was very pleased with the work that Pittman, Dutton, Hellums, Bradley & Mann did for us. I had been injured in a car accident and was in quite a bit of pain for sometime. They always treated me like a person and not a case—never failed to return a call and kept us apprised of what was going on. I had a time when I had to be totally focused on recovery, they were able to take care of the situation and I didn’t have to worry about it. I owe this firm a lot of thanks.
Luxi Choi
Pittman, Dutton, Hellums, Bradley & Mann prides themselves on hard work and proven results.They earnestly work to provide the best outcomes for their clients. It's truly been an honor to work with them.
Andre Madison
Skilled attorneys that are extremely knowledgeable of the Law. There friendly staff and environment helps you in any way that they can. I would highly recommend this firm! And Attorney Austin Whitten.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are famous examples of class action cases?
Class action lawsuits can lead to massive, far-reaching results for the people involved. Some major class action cases of note include:
- Brown v. Board of Education: In this landmark class action case, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that “separate but equal” was unconstitutional, which ended racial school segregation nationwide.
- Groundwater Contamination by Pacific Gas & Electric: Made famous as the Erin Brockovich case, a class action lawsuit with over 600 plaintiffs resulted in a $333 million arbitration for those who alleged injury from drinking water contaminated with cancer-causing chemicals.
- Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill: After the deadly explosion of an oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico, a class action decision created two settlement funds (one for economic damages, and one for medical claims) out of the billions owed by BP oil and gas. The suit covered 100,000 claims by property owners, fishermen, and other individuals impacted by the lengthy and catastrophic disaster.
How is money divided in a class action settlement or reward?
The division of funds varies case-to-case depending on the type of damages (property or health) and the amount of plaintiffs. The attorneys will take a percentage to cover their costs and legal fees, those with greater injuries may get a higher portion of the payout, and funds may be set up to disperse the money over a set period of time (rather than in one lump sum).
What are the advantages of joining a class action lawsuit?
Class action lawsuits have a higher probability of success for most class members, because your attorney selects the strongest case to represent the rest. That means for everyone else who’s signed on, they’ve upgraded to the case with the best chance of securing the highest possible reward.
How long do I have to file a class action lawsuit?
The deadline to file a class action lawsuit (aka a statute of limitations) depends on the type of claim and where it’s located. For example, a suit involving contractual obligations may have a different deadline than a medical malpractice case. The same case may also have different restrictions depending on which state the suit is filed in.
It’s important to get the ball rolling on your case as soon as possible, or you may miss your window for justice. Likewise, if you’re planning to sign on to a class action lawsuit, you must join within the deadlines established or you’ll lose out on your compensation. Be proactive—reach out to Pittman, Dutton, Hellums, Bradley & Mann today at (205) 322-8880. Timing is crucial to claim your rightful spot in a class action lawsuit.
FREE CONSULTATION
Are you ready to tell your story?
Using the web form below will begin the process of your free consultation, which is confidential and carries no obligation to hire our firm. Considering your safety, our consultations may be done via telephone or a video call format. During business hours expect to receive a return phone call within an hour. You will speak with one of our top-rated attorneys during your consultation who will attempt to provide you with reliable answers to your legal questions. We look forward to assisting you!
I agree to receive emails, text messages, and phone calls regarding my legal inquiry, which may be considered advertising material. Emails, text messages, and phone calls may be automatically generated using the information from the above form to better coordinate communication. I understand my consent to this is not necessary to obtain legal services from Pittman, Dutton, Hellums, Bradley & Mann, P.C. MSG and Data Rates may apply. Pittman, Dutton, Hellums, Bradley & Mann, P.C. will not share your information with any 3rd party marketing and sales organizations.
Need to talk to a lawyer today?
CALL us todayHIGHLY AWARDED LAW FIRM
IN YOUR CORNER
Our law firm has received top awards from the country's most prestigious organizations recognizing leading law firms.
.png)
Have you been injured in an accident?
.png)
Pittman, Dutton, Hellums, Bradley & Mann is a team of personal injury lawyers in Birmingham, Alabama. We serve clients throughout the United States for all types of personal injury cases.
Navigation
Get Social
© 2021 Pittman, Dutton, Hellums, Bradley & Mann, P.C. - All Rights Reserved
The recoveries and testimonials on this website are not an indication of future results. Every case is different, and regardless of what friends, family, or other individuals may say about what a case is worth, each case must be evaluated on its own facts and circumstances as they apply to the law. The valuation of a case depends on the facts, the injuries, the jurisdiction, the venue, the witnesses, the parties, and the testimony, among other factors. Furthermore, no representation is made that the quality of the legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.