What was the first class action lawsuit ever?
Asked by: Mr. Marlin Brown I | Last update: February 5, 2026Score: 4.4/5 (1 votes)
The first notable American class action lawsuit, establishing key principles for this type of litigation, was West v. Randall in 1820, where Justice Joseph Story formulated rules for representative suits when parties were too numerous to join individually, significantly simplifying complex legal issues like a Revolutionary War general's estate. This case laid foundational standards, though modern class actions evolved further with the 1966 adoption of Rule 23 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
What was the first class action lawsuit?
That case is West v. Randall, the very first American class action, created for the purpose of simplifying and economizing litigation for the judge and for the parties.
What was the biggest class action lawsuit ever?
Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement – $206 Billion
They claimed these companies lied about the dangers and marketed to kids. The result was a $206 billion deal over 25 years, the largest settlement in U.S. history.
What was the stupidest lawsuit ever?
We all know the most famous frivolous lawsuit story. Stella Liebeck sued McDonald's back in 1992 when she spilled hot coffee on herself. "But coffee is meant to be hot" we all cry. Dig a little deeper into the case however and it starts to look less frivolous.
What is the longest lawsuit ever?
Lasting for more than fifty years, the Myra Clark Gaines litigation is known as the longest case in US history, beginning around 1834 and culminating in a ruling in her favor and against the City of New Orleans in 1889.
Class actions lawsuits: what you need to know about your rights
What was the worst court case in history?
The Supreme Court's WORST Ever Case: Dred Scott v Sandford - American History Hit | Acast.
What is the most money ever sued for?
1998 – The Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement – $206 Billion. The Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement was entered in November 1998 and is still the largest lawsuit settlement in history.
What celebrity sued for $1?
Nah, Gwyneth Paltrow 's motivation to go to trial to fight a lawsuit accusing her of sending a fellow skier “absolutely flying” at a posh Utah ski resort in 2016 was about vindication. She got it when a jury found her not at fault in the collision, granting her exactly the $1 she sought in her countersuit.
What's the easiest lawsuit to win?
Generally, dog bite cases (in strict liability states) and clear-liability car accidents are the easiest lawsuits to win. These cases often have straightforward evidence, clear negligence, and well-established laws backing plaintiffs.
What is the weirdest court case?
Cases include a man charged with “illegally feeding an alligator” having had his hand bitten off, a man arrested on suspicion of “hiding pies” to throw at the Canadian Prime Minister, a 9-year old New Zealand girl called “Talulah Does The Hula From Hawaii” who was taken into the court's guardianship to enforce a name ...
Who is the most sued person in history?
Jonathan Lee Riches is a convicted fraudster known for the many lawsuits he has filed in various United States district courts. Riches was incarcerated at Federal Medical Center, Lexington, Kentucky, for wire fraud under the terms of a plea bargain.
What is the hardest lawsuit to win?
The hardest cases to win in court often involve high emotional stakes, like crimes against children or sexual assault, where jurors struggle with bias; complex, voluminous evidence, such as white-collar fraud; and defenses that challenge societal norms, like an insanity plea, which faces high scrutiny and conflicting expert testimony. Cases with weak physical evidence, uncooperative witnesses (like in sex crimes), or those involving unpopular defendants (e.g., child abusers) are particularly challenging for defense attorneys.
What is the most famous class action lawsuit?
Largest and Most Notable Class Action Lawsuits
- Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement (1998) ...
- BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill (2016) ...
- Volkswagen Emissions Scandal (2016) ...
- Enron Securities Fraud (2008) ...
- WorldCom Accounting Scandal (2005) ...
- Fen-Phen Diet Drugs (2000) ...
- American Indian Trust Settlement (2011)
How many lawsuits has Donald Trump filed?
From 1973 and until he was elected president in 2016, Donald Trump and his businesses were involved in over 4,000 legal cases in United States federal and state courts, including battles with casino patrons, million-dollar real estate lawsuits, personal defamation lawsuits, and over 100 business tax disputes.
When was the first ever court case?
Jay, Rutledge, and Ellsworth Courts (1789–1801)
The first Chief Justice of the United States was John Jay; the Court's first docketed case was Van Staphorst v. Maryland (1791), and its first recorded decision was West v. Barnes (1791).
What color do judges like to see in court?
Judges generally prefer neutral, conservative colors like navy, gray, black, and white, as these convey seriousness, respect, and professionalism, avoiding distractions in a formal court setting; bright colors, bold patterns, and overly casual attire should be avoided to show you're taking the proceedings seriously. While some suggest lighter, muted tones (like light blue) might leave a favorable impression, the key is sobriety and fitting in, not standing out.
What is the most ridiculous lawsuit?
The Year's Most Ridiculous Lawsuits
- Woman Sues FedEx for “Negligently” Leaving a Package on Her Doorstep that She Tripped Over.
- North Carolina Police Officer Sues Starbucks for Spilled Hot Coffee. ...
- Woman Files Suit for Injuries Incurred from a Flying Dinner Roll.
- Woman Fakes Coffee Burns in an Attempt to Sue McDonald's.
What not to say to the judge?
You should not say anything sarcastic, interrupt the judge, lie, use slang, make personal attacks on others, guarantee outcomes, or speak about things not relevant to the case; instead, remain respectful, address the judge as "Your Honor," answer only the question asked, and be direct and truthful to maintain credibility.
Did Taylor Swift have a 4.0 GPA?
Yes, Taylor Swift had a perfect 4.0 GPA in high school, completing her junior and senior years early through homeschooling to focus on her music career, demonstrating strong academic performance alongside her musical success.
Did Taylor Swift sue someone for a dollar?
He initially sued her stating that she had caused his dismissal. She countersued because she wanted the trial to serve as an “example to other women.” Swift only sought a single dollar in damages, which the jury awarded her.
Who has the biggest lawsuit in history?
Philip Morris and R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Settlement – $206 Billion. The title of Largest Legal Settlement in U.S. History belongs to the 1998 Philip Morris and R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Settlement.
Which profession gets sued the most?
Medical specialty
In general, surgical specialties are at highest risk and internal medicine subspecialties are at lowest risk. Obstetricians/gynecologists (ob-gyns), general surgeons, other surgeons and orthopedic surgeons are at highest risk of being sued during their careers.
How to get the Amazon settlement?
To sign up for the Amazon Prime settlement, eligible customers who used 3-10 Prime benefits after signing up via a "challenged enrollment flow" between June 2019 and June 2025 must file a claim on the official settlement website, SubscriptionMembershipSettlement.com, by July 23, 2026, using the Claim ID and PIN sent to them via email or mail, while others with 3 or fewer uses may receive automatic payments.
Who is the most sued man in the world?
We are talking about Jonathan Lee riches. He is called the most litigant in the world, this young man had filed the first lawsuit against his mother. In that lawsuit, he told, 'his mother has not taken care of him well' he also won this case and he got compensation of 20 thousand dollars.