Can a California class action extend beyond the state borders?
A California class action can extend beyond the state borders, in terms of the fact that the plaintiffs may come from many different states. However, in order for a case to be brought in California in the first place, there generally must be significant connections with the state so it makes sense for the California courts to hear and decide the issues in the class action.
Understanding a Class Action
A class action is a lawsuit brought by many plaintiffs who were all injured in the same way. Assume, for example, that a company made a defective drug that caused adverse side effects that didn't become apparent until the drug had already been on the market for several years. Over the course of the time that the drug was on the market, hundreds, thousands or even millions of people might have taken the drug and been affected to varying degrees.
Instead of every single plaintiff filing his or her own lawsuit against the company, a class of plaintiffs could be formed that would all group together and sue the company as a group. Any settlement would be divided among the people in the class, usually based on some kind of compensation scheme that grouped them into various groups based on the amount of harm that they endured. This makes the settlement in a class action simpler and easier.
Since the plaintiffs who were injured in the class action probably would be from many, many different states, if the case is brought in California, there may be plaintiffs from other states who want to join in. As long as they have a similar cause of action, meaning, it makes sense for them to be members of the class, they will be able to join the California class action. This is very common in fact, and explains why you may see advertisements on television from law firms recruiting members to a class such as commercials saying, "If you were affected by these side effects, call this number."
Getting Help
If you believe you have been injured and may have a viable class action lawsuit, consult with an attorney as soon as possible.