Class action law suits are a big scam that mostly benefits the lawyers prosecuting the case. For example, the tobacco law suit; millions of people have a potential grievance -- BUT, the lawyers cannot bring suit against the tobacco companies because they do not have legal standing. The lawyers need 'victims' to sign on to the class action lawsuit. THAT gives the lawyers standing - they represent grieved parties seeking recompense.
The tobacco suit was settled for more than a billion dollars as I remember. The attorneys figured up their extensive working hours and expenses, which came to a considerable portion of the total settlement. 'Victims' complained that the attorneys took the bulk of the settlement, leaving them too little as the grieved parties.
My son once participated in a class action suit. He received something like $16. That is the sad truth of most class action suits : the attorneys benefit the most.
And many of them are crooked also. IIRC Richard Scruggs a Mississippi attorney who was involved in the tobacco class action lawsuits was found guilty of trying to bribe a judge in Mississippi and lost his license, but still made out like bank from his class action lawsuits.