What exactly is a class action law suit?

A class action lawsuit is a lawsuit in which a person or business acting as the plaintiff in a lawsuit represents a larger group of people that have similar legal claims against a particular defendant or group of defendants. For example, a homeowner or consumer who is injured or whose property is injured by a defective building product may bring a class action lawsuit against the manufacturer of the product on behalf of himself or herself and all other homeowners and consumers harmed by that behavior. The person or business entity who brings the lawsuit on behalf of the others is referred to as the "class representative." The class representative serves in a fiduciary role to all others who are similarly situated (i.e.,the "class" of members), much like the board of directors of an association or a corporation serves in a fiduciary role for the benefit of its members or shareholders.  more