What’s the point of class-action lawsuits?

Aug 25, 2023
Many consumers might not receive much in settlements, but the suits can be a tool for justice, experts say.
Facebook's parent company, Meta, agreed to pay $725 million to settle a class-action lawsuit.
Chesnot/Getty Images

Personal injury lawyers hit the airwaves in an attempt to round up victims of Roundup

Jun 13, 2019
With thousands of cancer patients suing or planning to sue Monsanto over its weed killer, Roundup, personal injury lawyers are clamoring to represent them
The Bayer Pharma AG building stands on August 29, 2018 in Berlin, Germany.
Adam Berry/Getty Images

Supreme Court ruling makes it harder for workers to take legal action against their employers

May 21, 2018
The United States Supreme Court handed down several rulings today — one in particular has a pretty good chance of affecting you. The court said today that employers can indeed force employees into individual arbitration to resolve workplace disputes. Specifically, arbitration agreements that bar employees from participating in class-action lawsuits. Workers’ rights group say the […]

How restrictions on class action lawsuits affect the arbitration industry

Oct 25, 2017
A vote by the U.S. Senate last night allowing banks to keep using mandatory arbitration clauses in their contracts with consumers — rather than allowing class action lawsuits —essentially preserves the status quo. You might think that more fine print in more and more contracts would mean a lot more arbitration and a bonanza for […]

Fired Wells Fargo workers allege retaliation, toxic culture

Oct 13, 2016
Lawsuits and individual complaints allege the bank punished honesty.
Wells Fargo is still the subject of criminal probes and faces at least two class-action lawsuits from workers who were fired.
FREDERIC J BROWN/AFP/Getty Images

For public good, not for profit.

Proposed consumer class action rules don't cover everybody

May 5, 2016
Individuals would still have to go through arbitration.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Flint water lawsuits highlight government immunity

Jan 27, 2016
A coalition of groups including the ACLU filed suit against the city.
Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder speaks to the media regarding the status of the Flint water crisis as Michigan Press Secretary Dave Murray watches on January 27, 2016 at Flint City Hall in Flint, Michigan. Lawsuits have been filed against the state of Michigan and city of Flint officials in wake of the water crisis. 
Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)

When a bargain is less than meets the eye

Nov 12, 2015
J.C. Penney settles a class action suit in California over phony pricing on sale items.