A class action is a type of legal proceeding in which a lawsuit is brought by one or more plaintiffs on behalf of a larger group of people. All proceeds received from this type of legal proceeding are divided among all the members of the specific class. This comes after the legal fees have been deducted. The affected group of individuals has to prove that they were affected by the defendant’s actions. The outcome in these proceedings can result in either a settlement being reached or a judgment being passed.
Understanding class actions a little bit better
To be classified as a class action, certain criteria need to be fulfilled. The number of claimants should be of such a nature that it would be deemed impractical for the claimants to pursue matters on an individual basis. Certification as a class will enable the matter to be handled more cost-effectively. These reduced costs will enable certain plaintiffs to be able to pursue claims they would otherwise not be able to do.
Class actions can include civil rights proceedings (consumer product liability cases, etc) and securities litigation. Pre-trial settlements can be the result of some of these class action cases. Class actions are usually taken on a contingency basis by lawyers. They will collect a percentage of the settlement or judgment fees. Legal fees are closely scrutinized to ensure that they do not exceed the amounts payable to the plaintiffs.
Delving into the dynamics of the Bronx Zoo class action settlement
A $990,000 class action lawsuit settlement has been made by the Wildlife Conservation Society. This is based on the claim that there was no disclosure of processing fees that would be charged for electronic ticket purchases at the Bronx Zoo. This is only relevant to those consumers who made online purchases during the period from 28 August 2022 up until 16 January 2024.
The New York-based Bronx Zoo has been in operation since 1899. It is one of the largest conservation parks within the United States. It houses a massive 4000 animals, representative of more than 650 species. This zoo, together with the Prospect Park Zoo, the New York Aquarium, the Queens Zoo, as well as the Central Park Zoo, is all operated by the nonprofit organization The Wildlife Conservation Society.
Settlements and eligibility matters explained
The Society did not admit to any wrongdoing in this situation, but has agreed to the $990,000 settlement. The deadline for the objections and exclusions to the class action is 1 May 2025, the final approval hearing is 5 June 2025, and claims are to be submitted by 21 July 2025. The terms of the settlement entail that a certain proportional share of the net settlement be paid out. This is relative to the amount that was paid for the processing fees. Payment amounts are variable.
Electronic tickets had to have been purchased
Processing fees will forthwith be disclosed or not charged at all.Eligible claimants are those consumers who purchased electronic tickets between the period 28 August 2022 and 16 January 2024. These tickets should have been for the Bronx Zoo specifically and purchased directly from their website. Documentary proof required is the Bronx Zoo ticket order numbers.
The FAQ section of the Settlement Administrator website will shed more light on those who qualify.Refund payments on these claims will be done via a check in the mail or the platforms Zelle, PayPal, and Venmo. The Society has decided on a settlement to avoid any further expenses that may be associated with a continuation in this case. Those individuals who fail to file a claim will not be eligible for a share in the settlement benefit. For more information about this settlement, you can visit Top Class Actions and get informed about how to file a claim.
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