Only 10 Percent Approve Of Class Action Coupon Settlements, DRI Poll Finds
From Legal Newsline
Americans disagree with current practices in class actions lawsuits, according to a poll commissioned by defense attorneys.
Americans also continue to express significant doubt in the fairness of the civil justice system and do not seem convinced there is a funding crisis in the judiciary, according to the poll.
The annual poll is devoted to the civil justice system and is commissioned by DRI’s Center for Law and Public Policy. DRI is the voice of the defense bar.
The poll was conducted by Langer Research Associates of New York and was a telephone survey based upon a national, random, scientific sample of adults.
Twenty-six percent of participants said showing the potential for harm should be adequate to join a class action lawsuit; more than two-thirds said individuals should be permitted to join a class action lawsuit only if they can show they have actually been harmed.
Eighty-five percent said class action lawyers should be required to obtain permission from individuals before enrolling them as plaintiffs. Only 10 percent support the current practice of allowing lawyers to include individuals whom they believe are eligible without getting their permission first, then providing them the opportunity to opt out later.
Only 10 percent support the use of coupon settlements in class actions, which is where lawyers are paid cash, while the plaintiffs simply receive comparatively low-value coupons redeemable for products or services.
Read more in our daily News Update...
From Legal Newsline
Americans disagree with current practices in class actions lawsuits, according to a poll commissioned by defense attorneys.
Americans also continue to express significant doubt in the fairness of the civil justice system and do not seem convinced there is a funding crisis in the judiciary, according to the poll.
The annual poll is devoted to the civil justice system and is commissioned by DRI’s Center for Law and Public Policy. DRI is the voice of the defense bar.
The poll was conducted by Langer Research Associates of New York and was a telephone survey based upon a national, random, scientific sample of adults.
Twenty-six percent of participants said showing the potential for harm should be adequate to join a class action lawsuit; more than two-thirds said individuals should be permitted to join a class action lawsuit only if they can show they have actually been harmed.
Eighty-five percent said class action lawyers should be required to obtain permission from individuals before enrolling them as plaintiffs. Only 10 percent support the current practice of allowing lawyers to include individuals whom they believe are eligible without getting their permission first, then providing them the opportunity to opt out later.
Only 10 percent support the use of coupon settlements in class actions, which is where lawyers are paid cash, while the plaintiffs simply receive comparatively low-value coupons redeemable for products or services.
Read more in our daily News Update...