Call or e-mail. A paralegal or lawyer will talk with you so you may briefly explain your situation. After answering your questions and discussing the circumstances, if we believe we need to investigate further, we will schedule a virtual or in-person consultation at a convenient time. Our offices are located in downtown Pittsburgh on Fourth Avenue, across Grant Street from the City-County Building.
Our attorneys have experience helping individuals in a number of areas, including Long Term and Short Term Disability and violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act. Contact Us today to learn more.
Collect any documents or records (examples: letters, notes, insurance policies, disability plan documents, calendars, etc.) that will prove your potential claim. It also helps if you prepare a brief, written outline or timeline (with relevant dates) of the events involved in the situation. Many people have much of this information in their cell phones.
The answer varies because each case is unique. Your situation and the facts surrounding your potential claim will be evaluated by our attorneys. They will discuss the best way to proceed with you and, at that time, will provide a fee agreement.
Provide your phone number, email and home addresses, and the best time to contact you.
A class action is a lawsuit where one or more people sue on behalf of a larger group who are affected by the same issue. This is referred to as “the class.” While the subject of class action lawsuits can vary, two factors are almost always present:
- The issues are common to all members of the class; and
- There are so many people affected by the issue that it is not practical for all to bring their case to court.
Class Actions:
- Level the playing field for people with disagreements with large companies or businesses
- Reduce costs
- Provide more bargaining power
- Give access to experienced attorneys
- May be filed in federal and state courts
Many FDPK class action cases began because one or more people spoke up to complain about fraud, unfair treatment or deceptive practices. If you believe that you have been harmed by fraud, a defective practice, or illegal conduct, please contact us. Be assured that your information will be kept confidential.
- Unfair banking or business practices
- Defective, harmful, or improperly labeled products
- Inflated prices caused by price-fixing
- Wage and hour violations causing employees to receive less than their appropriate hourly wage
- Reductions or eliminations of promised retirement or health benefits
A class action lawsuit is started when one or more people who have the same problem with a large company or business step forward and seek legal advice. We investigate, research the facts and legal remedies, and discuss options to proceed.
Perhaps. If you have a problem with a company, it is possible that others may too. A class action is a good solution because it allows thousands of people to benefit from a single case.
It takes only one person to step forward to begin a class action. That person is referred to as the Representative Plaintiff (described below). If you believe that you have circumstances that you would like to investigate to initiate a class action lawsuit, contact Wyatt Lison, who will be pleased to answer your questions and evaluate your potential claim.
A Representative Plaintiff is a person willing to step forward in an attempt to correct wrongdoing. A Representative Plaintiff:
- seeks legal advice about wrongdoing by a large corporation or employer.
- tells their story to the court in a complaint, and is willing to be named as the plaintiff who initiates the lawsuit.
- is willing to pursue claims not only for their own benefit, but also for the benefit of others who have been similarly harmed.
- must commit time to discuss the case with their lawyers.
- must be willing to represent the class without any promise or guarantee that they will receive anything more than what a similar class member would receive.
- must be willing to participate in the discovery process.
- What is Discovery? All records related to the issue must be gathered and provided to the defendant(s); written questions must be answered; a deposition may be held where you are questioned orally. Be assured that experienced attorneys will help you with every step of the discovery process.
People file class action lawsuits because:
- it is often the only way to right wrongs committed by powerful corporations.
- it provides an opportunity to take on large, well-funded corporations.
- class actions stop harmful conduct—and changes are made.
We have represented consumers, employees, and small businesses in the following circumstances:
- Employees denied benefits protected by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA)
- Consumers who purchased mislabeled, misbranded, and sometimes harmful food and supplements
- Mortgage borrowers unfairly charged for force-placed hazard insurance
- Mortgage borrowers charged for settlement services subject to an unlawful conspiracy under the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA)
- Insurance purchasers fraudulently sold life insurance and long-term care insurance policies
- Insurance purchasers charged higher rates due to discrimination
- Consumers and small businesses overcharged for products and other goods caused by anti-competitive activities of large corporations
- Consumers with credit reporting disputes
- Consumers charged attorney’s fees by debt collectors
- Consumers with claims against credit reporting agencies, banks, debt collectors, and insurance companies
If you believe you have have been a victim of fraud, unlawful or deceptive practices and would like to know if you may initiate a class action, contact Joe Kravec or Jim Pietz, who will answer your questions and evaluate your potential claim.