Class Action Settlements
How Many People are Needed To Bring a Class Action?
In many instances, it only takes one injured party to bring a North Carolina class action lawsuit. This one injured party initiates the action to seek a class action settlement in North Carolina. Once this action is started, other injured parties may join the suit.
Popular legal issues often result in class action lawsuits, including:
- Defective consumer products, medications, or drugs
- Defective machinery
- Faulty tools
- Motor vehicle defects
- Defective toys and electronics
However, there are some situations in which a minimum number of plaintiffs may be required by law in order to allow an action to proceed as class action. If you believe that you may be involved in a legal scenario that should be brought as a class action lawsuit, contact Marvin Schiller at Schiller & Schiller PLLC, an experienced attorney who understands the North Carolina class action law to determine whether your case meets these criteria.
Joining a North Carolina class action lawsuit
If you seek to join an action for a class action settlement, you must first locate the legal firm handling the case. In some cases, there are multiple firms handling the case. You need only reach out to one firm, so long as it is actively pursuing the action. Once you find the firm, contact it and ask to join the class action suit.
If you are having difficulty finding the law firm handling the North Carolina class action lawsuit you want to join, search the public records. These records should provide you with the names and contact information of people involved with active legal actions, together with their legal representatives.
National City Mortgage Pays $700, 000 Settlement in Class Action Lawsuit
In 2008, the law firm of Bailey & Glasser obtained a settlement from National City Mortgage for 2,859 plaintiffs in a class action lawsuit.
The complaint against the Ohio lender was that they were issuing illegitimate late fees by charging more than once for overdue payments, a practice which is illegal in the state of West Virginia. National City petitioned the court that the case be dismissed citing federal laws that they believed would override individual state restrictions such as the ones in West Virginia but in the end decided to settle the case.
The other charge brought against National City was for employing "abusive debt collection practices" and refusal to credit partial payments. While the fees were often nominal once borrowers were declared in default, they could be thrown into foreclosure.
All in all the company agreed to pay a $700,000 penalty and $151 dollars for double late fees and refused payments. According to the Charleston Gazette at least 60 plaintiffs with multiple complaints against the company received recoveries of $1000
The 2008 case against National City Mortgage is just one of the many lawsuits the attorneys of Bailey & Glasser have pursued on behalf of consumers. Right now they are in the national spotlight for their work on the Toyota class action lawsuit surrounding sudden acceleration. Attorney Ben Bailey was appointed as one of nine lawyers nationwide to the Plaintiffs' Counsel Committee for Economic Loss in the national lawsuit filed against Toyota Motor Corporation.
Marley Engineered Products Recalls Baseboard Heaters Sold at Grainger Due to Fire Hazard
In a Recall Alert posted on July 6, 2010,the The Office of Information and Public Affairs states, "The following product safety recall was voluntarily conducted by the firm in cooperation with the CPSC. Consumers should stop using the product immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.
Name of Product: Dayton Electric Baseboard Heaters
Units: About 30
Manufacturer: Marley Engineered Products LLC, of Bennettsville, S.C.
Hazard: The baseboard heaters are labeled for 240 or 208 volt use. However, some of the heaters have an internal heater built for a maximum of 120 volts. If the heater is connected to a 240 or 208 volt electrical circuit as directed, the unit could catch fire.
Incidents/Injuries: None reported.
Description: This recall involves Dayton 240/208 volt model 3UG82D electric baseboard heaters. The white, rectangular heaters are 30 inches long by 6 3/4 inches high by 2 7/8 inches deep. A nameplate on the bottom right side of the base has "Dayton Electric Mfg. Co.," model 3UG82D and date code 1209. Only heaters purchased after December 21, 2009 with a date code of "1209" are included in this recall. The recalled heaters have yellow and white wires inside the panel where the heater connects to the power source. Heaters with red and black wire are not included in this recall"...Click the link to read the full story: Marley Engineered Products Recall
If you are facing or believe you are involved in a class action lawsuit it is in your best interest to contact a legal expert for assistance with your case.
Recall to Repair: Whitco Company LP Stadium Light Poles Can Fall Over, Posing Risk of Serious Injury and Death
Posted by the WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, today announced a recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should immediately stop using recalled products until they are inspected and repaired.
Name of product: Whitco Company LP poles 70 feet tall or higher
Units: More than 2,500
Manufacturer: Whitco Company LP, of Fort Worth, Texas (which is out of business)
Hazard: The poles can fracture or crack and fall over, posing a risk of serious injury or death to patrons and bystanders from being hit or crushed. The poles range from 1 to 4 tons increasing the risk of death if the pole falls toward a crowded stadium or onto a building.
Incidents/Injuries: As of June 2010, CPSC has confirmed eleven incidents in which Whitco Co. LP poles fell. In one incident, a pole fell through the roof of a school gymnasium causing significant property damage. In two other incidents, the poles fell onto outdoor bleachers causing significant property damage. The latest incident occurred at Integrity Park Inc. in Argyle, Texas. The majority of incidents occurred in Texas with others in several other states where Whitco Co. LP poles have been installed. To date, CPSC is not aware of any injuries. However, some incidents have been close calls, with people exiting the area just minutes before a pole fell. CPSC has also identified more than 50 Whitco Co. LP poles that have not yet fallen, but inspections revealed fractures and/or cracks next to the weld that joins the pole to its base plate. The fallen and cracked poles were located near or around school football stadiums and gymnasiums. Click here to read the complete article: Whitco Stadium Light Recall
If you are facing a class action in Alabama, contact an experienced attorney to assist with your case.
