A class action lawsuit is a legal action where a group of people with similar claims join together to sue a defendant. It saves time and resources by consolidating multiple individual lawsuits into a single case. The court certifies the class if certain criteria are met, and notice is given to potential class members who can choose to participate or opt-out. Class actions can be settled or litigated, resulting in compensation or relief for the class members. Experienced attorneys handle these cases, typically working on a contingency basis. Class actions provide an efficient way for individuals to seek justice when they have suffered similar harm.