Should You Join a Class Action Lawsuit against a Pharmacy?

Class action lawsuits are filed by groups of individuals who have suffered the same or similar injury, bringing the power of multiple plaintiffs into one action to be resolved in a single proceeding. A recent pharmacy class action was filed against CVS, the largest pharmacy chain in the United States, over the pharmacy’s requirement that any consumer in California that fills an opioid prescription in their store also purchases an opioid reversal medication. In some cases, this requirement adds over $100 to the patient’s total store purchase price.

In the case of this pharmacy class action, the victims are accusing the pharmacy of violating a California state law that prohibits pharmacies from obstructing a patient from obtaining a legally prescribed drug or device, accusing the company of imposing a significant financial strain on patients. There are many other examples of class action lawsuit involving pharmacies that raise the bigger question of whether joining a class action lawsuit is the right step for an individual to take.

There are some very real advantages to joining a class action lawsuit, but there are disadvantages too. By joining with others who have suffered the same type of injury at the hands of the same defendant, you can save a significant amount of time, effort and money involved in litigation. All of those who are injured are grouped into one representative class, thus cutting court costs and attorneys’ fees. Compared to the costs of filing a claim on your own, there is an enormous difference. You won’t need to testify or go through the discovery process, and at the end of the trial or settlement process, every member of the class gets a portion of the assigned compensation or agreed-upon settlement amount.

As many advantages as joining a class action lawsuit offer, each individual needs to ask themselves about the injuries that they have suffered and whether it is likely that the compensation that you will get will come close to providing you with enough to represent justice. If you suffered serious injuries or losses, you may be better off pursuing an individual lawsuit where your attorney can tell the jury your story and about the harm that you suffered, and you can be provided an award that is appropriate to your damages.

For guidance on the best option if you believe you have a claim against a pharmacy or some other entity that has caused you harm, contact our experienced attorneys today.