Overview

When hundreds or thousands of people are harmed by the same product, practice, or policy: CCP 382 certification, mass tort coordination, PAGA representative actions, and the strategic choices that shape outcomes.

This guide is written for injured people, their families, and the lawyers who help them. It is not legal advice for any specific case. Call us, or any California lawyer you trust, before you make decisions that affect your claim.

Key takeaway
California class actions under CCP 382 use the community of interest test. Mass torts coordinate individual cases with common questions. PAGA enforces Labor Code violations without certification.

Class Actions vs. Mass Torts

Understanding class actions vs. mass torts is essential for California personal injury practice. This section covers the key principles, legal standards, and practical strategies that shape outcomes in class actions cases.

Key takeaway
When hundreds or thousands of people are harmed by the same product, practice, or policy: CCP 382 certification, mass tort coordination, PAGA representative actions, and the strategic choices that shape outcomes.

California Certification

Understanding california certification is essential for California personal injury practice. This section covers the key principles, legal standards, and practical strategies that shape outcomes in class actions cases.

Multidistrict Litigation

Understanding multidistrict litigation is essential for California personal injury practice. This section covers the key principles, legal standards, and practical strategies that shape outcomes in class actions cases.

PAGA Representative Actions

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Understanding paga representative actions is essential for California personal injury practice. This section covers the key principles, legal standards, and practical strategies that shape outcomes in class actions cases.

Proposition 64 and UCL

Understanding proposition 64 and ucl is essential for California personal injury practice. This section covers the key principles, legal standards, and practical strategies that shape outcomes in class actions cases.

Consumer Class Actions

Understanding consumer class actions is essential for California personal injury practice. This section covers the key principles, legal standards, and practical strategies that shape outcomes in class actions cases.

Strategic Considerations

Understanding strategic considerations is essential for California personal injury practice. This section covers the key principles, legal standards, and practical strategies that shape outcomes in class actions cases.

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Cross-References

Common Questions

What is the difference between a class action and a mass tort?

A class action has one representative plaintiff acting for all class members, with a binding judgment. A mass tort involves individual cases with common questions, coordinated for efficiency but tried individually. Class actions suit uniform harm with small individual damages; mass torts suit varied injuries with larger individual claims.

What does class certification require in California?

Under CCP 382, certification requires an ascertainable class, a community of interest (predominance of common questions, typicality, and adequacy of representation), and that class treatment provides substantial benefit over alternatives. California's standard is generally more favorable to plaintiffs than federal Rule 23.

What is PAGA and how is it different?

The Private Attorneys General Act allows employees to bring representative actions to enforce the Labor Code. PAGA is not a class action — it does not require certification. It recovers civil penalties (75% to the state, 25% to employees), not individual damages.

Can the defendant move the case to federal court?

Yes. The Class Action Fairness Act (CAFA) gives federal courts jurisdiction over class actions with over 100 members, aggregate claims exceeding $5 million, and minimal diversity. Defendants frequently remove class actions to federal court under CAFA.

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Local Resources

  1. Code of Civil Procedure § 382. California class action certification standard.
  2. Brinker Restaurant Corp. v. Superior Court (2012) 53 Cal.4th 1004. Community of interest test for class certification.
  3. 28 USC § 1407. Multidistrict litigation — transfer and consolidation.
  4. Labor Code § 2698 et seq. (PAGA). Private Attorneys General Act — representative enforcement of Labor Code.
  5. 28 USC § 1332(d) (CAFA). Class Action Fairness Act — federal jurisdiction over large class actions.
  6. Business & Professions Code § 17200. Unfair Competition Law — foundation for consumer class actions.