[iscrewyou]

Can you do that? Can't the judge say that you have to drop the individual suit and join the class action because they are similar complaints?

I have no legal experience and I'm thinking completely from the point that the judge would want his job to be easier.

[lightedman]

Nope, you can chose to not join the class-action (or remove yourself form it) and pursue your own legal matter in court. The judge might try to fold your case into the class-action, but only if that class-action falls within their circuit's jurisdiction.

[fapjacks]

I would love to know more about this, but I'm completely ignorant about the process. I've put a couple thousand dollars into these specific models of HDD which have all failed within three years of purchase (including the replacement drives which failed during the warranty period). I am really tired of joining class action suits only to find that I get a check for a couple bucks afterwards. Especially because I've lost thousands of dollars in these cases (e.g. Bank of America), and getting a five or ten dollar check is just completely demoralizing. I would be willing to spend out of pocket to sue on my own (within reason), but I have no idea how to start that process or where to go to even research it. Do you know what kind of lawyer should I contact?

[lightedman]

How many thousands are we talking? Depending on the state, you might be able to just walk this into small claims court. Some have a $5K limit, some have $10K, find out what your state's limit is for small claims. If your lost amount of money falls within that range, you don't need a lawyer and lawyers are not allowed in the courtroom for such cases generally speaking. Walk to the court house, file your paperwork with the court, have someone NOT related to the case serve the person you're suing and have them sign the appropriate proof of service paperwork, which the court clerk should give to you. After that, it's just waiting for the court day to be declared, both parties are notified by the court of that, and then you go into the court room on that date.

Usually, big companies don't show up in small claims, so they default, and you can simply file a lien on them and get your money back either by cash or by equipment. You get to literally walk in to their building, with cops by your side, and start taking stuff until the lien is settled. Or you can walk to their bank with the court order, and have it yanked directly from their account. I've done both. It's fun.

[fapjacks]

It makes perfect sense when you say it, but I hadn't thought of it that way. This does sound like fun. Thanks!

[lightedman]

Walk right in and take the CEO's computer off his desk while waving the lien in their face. Nothing more effective. EVER.