What kind of lawsuit allows a group of consumers to collectively represent their claims against a corporation?

A class action lawsuit is designed for situations where a group of individuals has similar claims against a defendant, typically a corporation. This legal framework allows the group, or class, to pursue their claims collectively, which can be more efficient and effective than having each person file separate lawsuits. Class actions are particularly useful for cases where the individual damage claims may be too small to justify individual lawsuits, such as consumer fraud or product liability claims.

The process involves the court certifying the class and ensuring that common issues, questions of law or fact, prevail among the claims. This collective approach not only streamlines the judicial process but also provides a platform for individuals who might otherwise lack the resources to pursue legal action on their own.