You have a family member who was unfortunately seriously injured in a train accident. Your friend understands that there might be the possibility of a class action lawsuit against the train company. She asks you to explain the process of a class action and what the advantages of class actions are versus individual lawsuits.

Students can refer to chapter 2 for the discussion on class action lawsuits. A class action allows a single person to represent an entire group of plaintiffs injured by a common cause such as a train derailment. In order for a class action to proceed, the 'class' of two or more people must be certified by the court. Typically, settlements are reached before the case goes to trial, with such settlements requiring court approval as being in the interest of the entire class. Rather than having hundreds of similar trials, the law permits greater efficiency by having one trial. It also increases the chances that defendants will be more careful given that significant damages can be imposed as a result of a successful class action lawsuit. Damages, if awarded, are then shared among the class of plaintiffs, with some adjustments possible depending on the degree of injury.