How do class actions work, and why could you miss out on one that concerns you?
A class action is type of legal proceeding in which a person (the applicant or plaintiff) brings a claim on behalf of a wider group of people against a respondent.
Class actions are commenced, regardless of whether all group members are aware if they exist or not. Class actions are run on an “opt-out” basis and can take years to settle. Class actions also usually settle on much smaller pay outs than the total of the group members individual premiums purchased, and their legal fees (from the law firm) reduce the settlement amount received in the payout.
Australian Class Actions use an opt-out model. This means that all people affected by the event or circumstance become members of the class action whether they intended to or not.
These members are legally bound by the decision of the court or settlement unless they opt-out of the proceedings.
Thousands of members do not receive their opt-notice because they have changed addresses and do not register for payout in time which means they are unable to get a payout.
What payout can you actually receive by joining a class action?
Australians who join class actions can expect significant payouts. For example, in the case against Woolworths, accused of selling expired products, victims received payout of up to 5,000 AUD per person. In the case against Qantas regarding incorrect flight ticket charges, payouts reached 150 million AUD, allowing each participant to receive payout of up to 4,000 AUD.
In current class actions, the potential payout is even higher — estimated at 12,000 AUD, per person.
What can I do to join a class action and receive my payout?
Obtaining a refund from a class actions starts first by checking if you’re apart of a current class action.
Law firms who manage these class actions will aim to convince a party to join a class action instead of pursuing a claim individually or with a team like Claimo. Our aim is to help individuals settle outside of a class action and obtain a fair, better refund.
If there is a class action you’re currently a part of, or unaware of, you can simply fill in our free claim check form and get started today! One of our helpful Melbourne based refund specialists will contact you for a friendly chat.
To find class actions you may be eligible for a payout, follow these steps:
- Visit the website claimo.com.au
- Fill out the form with your name and contact details
- Wait for a response from our lawyer
Our background is within the legal and finance sector, and we’ve been helping hard working Aussie’s get larger pay outs for years to come, with a 99% success rate.
