A class action is a civil lawsuit where one or more people, called the ''representative plaintiff(s),'' start a lawsuit on behalf of a ''class'' of people. The members of the class are people who have claims that are so similar it is possible for the Court to deal with the claims all together, rather than on an individual basis. People who fall within the definition of the class members have the right to withdraw or ''opt-out'' if they do not wish to participate in the class action lawsuit. more... See more text