How do class action lawsuits fundamentally differ from ordinary lawsuits?

Class action lawsuits fundamentally differ from ordinary lawsuits in that they permit individuals to sue on behalf of large groups of people who have similar claims or grievances against a defendant. This legal mechanism is designed to streamline the judicial process, as it allows numerous claimants to address their shared issues collectively, thereby promoting judicial efficiency and reducing the burden on the court system.

In a class action, one or more plaintiffs can represent the interests of the entire class of affected individuals, which can be particularly beneficial in cases where the individual damages might be too small to warrant separate lawsuits. This collective approach also ensures that the rights of all class members are considered in the resolution of the case, often leading to fairer and more comprehensive outcomes.

In contrast, ordinary lawsuits typically involve individual claims filed by one party against another, without the consolidation of numerous similar claims into a singular legal action. Therefore, the essence of class action lawsuits is their ability to represent large groups with common issues, unlike standard lawsuits that are focused on individual disputes.