A “class action” lawsuit is really nothing more than the consolidation of several related lawsuits into one. Not all lawsuits are eligible to become class actions, in fact, most cannot. However, if there are numerous plaintiffs (or possibly defendants), all with common legal issues to resolve, then a judge may allow them to join together as a class.

When feasible, a class action can be an efficient alternative to individual lawsuits. Rather than several hundred, or even several thousand individual cases clogging up the judicial system, a class action can be handled in one courtroom, in front of one judge.

Class action lawsuits have a “class representative.” The class representative is best thought of as the “main” plaintiff (or possibly defendant). The class representative represents the interests of all of the members of the class. So while there may be hundreds of class members spread throughout the country, only one, i.e., the class representative, needs to show up in court.

Joining a Case vs. Filing an Individual Lawsuit

You may join a class action lawsuit if your injuries and legal issues are substantially similar to other class members. In fact, in some instances, you may be bound by a judicial decision in a class-action suit if you do not expressly “opt-out” by informing the court that you do not wish to be a part of the class. If you have suffered more severe injuries than the other class members, you may want to contact an attorney who can help you decide whether to file your own individual lawsuit.

Americans are 24/7 consumers, making purchases in actual stores and online. So, statistically one can expect things to go awry on occasion. But Consumer Protection Law exists to stop fraudulent and unfair business practices from happening to you. It's actually a group of laws that prevent you from purchasing items that don't work as promised, being overcharged for an item or even being charged for an item you never purchased in the first place. The laws are also in place to prevent unethical businesses from gaining unfair advantages over their competitors.

These governing laws give you power as a consumer to file a private lawsuit if you've been the victim of fraudulent business dealings. Often times you will recover your attorney's fees and can actually receive triple the amount you lost if you win your case.

Defense Against Unfair Business Practices

Let us help you to understand your rights and what to do when something goes wrong so you can protect your wallet and livelihood. If you can't solve the problem on your own, don't hesitate to ask us for help so we can give you the best legal answers to your problem.

We can help you figure out:

• If your complaint could be the basis of a class-action suit.

• If you should not only file a lawsuit but also a complaint with the FTC

• If you should seek relief under federal or state law.

Our insurance litigation practice is one of the most experienced, respected, and comprehensive in the state of Florida, and nationwide. Attorneys across the state and country call our office for advice on their insurance cases. The law firm of Liggio Law represents clients in a wide variety of insurance litigation cases. Our skilled lawyers advise, guide, and represent clients concerning policy and coverage of all types of insurance.

Insurance Issues We Cover

We specialize in helping clients with policy and coverage concerns about the following types of insurance and related issues:

• Automobile Liability

• Accidental Death

• Property & Casualty

• Automobile Liability

• Business Liability

• Wrongful Cancellation

• Coverage Disputes

• Delayed Claims

• Denied Claims

• Disaster

• Health Insurance

• Insurance Fraud

• Legal Malpractice

• Life Insurance

• Lowballing

• Medical Malpractice

• Overcharge of Premiums

• Pet Insurance

• Private Disability

• Property & Casualty

What is “Bad Faith?”

An insurance company is obligated to act with the best interest of the insured in mind. When an insurance company fails to act in an honest and fair way towards its policyholders and/or is deceitful, insurance bad faith is said to have occurred.

Situations in which Insurance Bad Faith can occur vary widely. Insurance Bad Faith may occur in conjunction with auto insurance, health insurance, uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance, life insurance, homeowners insurance, medical malpractice insurance, and disability insurance.

Insurance Bad Faith behavior includes:

• Failure to investigate a claim in a proper and reasonable manner

• Withholding benefits without cause

• Delaying payment of claims for an unreasonable length of time

• Denying coverage

• Denying payment on claims

• Underpaying claims

• Undervaluing a claim

• Unfairly refusing to settle and/or reimburse claims

• The abusive or unreasonable claims process

• Cancellation of insurance policy unjustly

Life and Health Insurance agents and the insurance companies they work for sometimes misrepresent and omit information to induce someone to buy an insurance policy that does not then provide the benefits the buyer needs.

Our lender fraud litigation and mortgage abuse attorneys are some of the most experienced in the state. We have represented borrowers across the state of Florida who have been forced into wrongful foreclosures or lender fraud litigation that has threatened their position as homeowners.

Lender fraud and mortgage abuse occurs more frequently than one would think. A big bank, mortgage servicer, or lender can easily put homeowners, by no fault of their own, into the position of potentially losing their home.

When you have been fraudulently induced into a loan or when a foreclosure is the direct result of mortgage abuse, improper servicing, fraud, and/or the wrongful acts of a big corporation, bank, mortgage servicer or lender, it is easy to feel like you have no one to turn to. It does not have to be that way and you do not have to be alone. We may be able to help. It is important that you act quickly to protect your best interests and contact our lender fraud litigation and mortgage abuse attorneys.

We recognize when lender fraud and mortgage abuse has occurred and quickly position your interests so that you can rest easier.

We have a comprehensive personal injury practice, in which we represent clients suffering from serious and catastrophic injuries or the loss of a loved one. Anytime you suffer a personal injury as a result of someone else’s negligence or malice, you have the right to seek financial compensation. In most cases, you will seek financial compensation from an insurance company. Working with experienced trial lawyers is your best chance for a favorable resolution of your personal injury claim.

Injury Cases We Handle

Our personal injury lawyers have successfully represented clients suffering injuries under a variety of circumstances, including claims involving:

• Motor Vehicle Accidents

• Slip & Fall Injuries (Premises Liability)

• Catastrophic Injuries

• Tractor Trailer Accidents

• Motorcycle Accidents

• Defective Product Liability

• Wrongful Death

Available Damages

Our experienced personal injury attorneys will negotiate on your behalf with the insurance company to secure financial compensation for:

• Medical Expenses

• Ongoing Medical Treatment & Physical Therapy

• Lost Wages

• Pain & Suffering