As a small investor, your rights are most likely protected by those with more significant losses who have already filed a securities class action. If you happen to have some special knowledge, you should contact one of the class action attorneys for the lead plaintiff.
Typically, a lead plaintiff in a securities class action is someone who represents the entire class and their interest is identical to those of the class members. In other words, the lead plaintiff lost a great deal of money due to the false information sent out by the publicly held corporation.
If you have any losses sustained by the class action, even if they are from small investments, you are automatically considered part of the class. This means that your interest, no matter how small, will be represented by the lead plaintiff and attorneys and your amount of losses will be added into the damage section of the filing. Once the suit is finished, whether it's settled or the court makes a ruling, you will receive a percentage-based share of the damages to represent your losses.
If you have significant information about the defendant that may help the class in a class action, then it is important to contact the attorneys with that information. While the lead plaintiff and attorneys are handling the investigation, it's always advisable to make their work easier if you know something. Who knows, perhaps your information will aid in obtaining a larger settlement.
If you were a small investor in the company and have only sustained minimal damages, it is probably better to join the class action as opposed to filing your own suit. While the final damages received are never as high in a class action, you do not have to personally pay filing and attorney fees.