What Is a Class Member in a Class Action?

A class member is any person who falls within the group of people defined by a class action lawsuit. If a company sold a defective product to 500,000 people and a class action is filed on their behalf, each of those 500,000 buyers is a class member. Being a class member means you are eligible to participate in the settlement — but in most cases, you must file a claim form to actually receive money.

The class is defined by the court when it certifies the case. The definition typically specifies who is included based on what they bought, when they bought it, and where they live. For example, a class might be defined as "all persons in the United States who purchased Product X between January 2020 and December 2024."

How the Class Gets Defined

The class definition is one of the most important parts of any class action. It determines who can participate and who is excluded. The lead plaintiff's attorneys propose a class definition when they file the case, and the court refines it during the certification process.

Common criteria used to define a class include:

• Product purchased. You must have bought the specific product or product line named in the lawsuit.
• Time period. Your purchase must fall within the dates specified. This is sometimes called the "class period."
• Geographic location. Some class actions are limited to specific states or countries. For example, the Cosequin settlement is limited to California residents.
• Purpose of purchase. Some settlements exclude commercial or resale purchases, covering only consumers who bought for personal use.
• Type of harm. In data breach cases, you must have had your data exposed. In employment cases, you must have worked at the company during the relevant period.

Your Rights as a Class Member

As a class member, you have several important rights:

• Right to file a claim. You can submit a claim form to receive your share of the settlement fund. This is the most common action class members take.
• Right to opt out. You can exclude yourself from the settlement and retain the right to sue the defendant individually. This makes sense when your damages are significantly larger than the settlement payout.
• Right to object. You can formally object to the settlement terms if you believe they are unfair. The court will consider objections at the fairness hearing before granting final approval.
• Right to do nothing. You can choose not to participate at all. However, if you do nothing, you give up your right to any settlement payment and, in most cases, your right to sue individually over the same issue.

Active vs. Passive Class Members

There is an important distinction between active and passive class membership:

Active class members take action by filing a claim form. They receive settlement payments and actively participate in the process.

Passive class members do nothing. They are technically part of the class, but they do not file a claim and do not receive any payment. Despite receiving no money, passive class members are still bound by the settlement — they cannot later sue the defendant over the same issue (unless they opted out).

This is why it is almost always in your interest to file a claim if you qualify. You have nothing to lose by filing, but you lose your ability to sue individually by doing nothing.

How to Check If You Are a Class Member

There are several ways to find out if you qualify for an open class action settlement:

1. Check your mail and email. Settlement administrators send notices to potential class members. Look for official-looking mail from legal or claims administration companies.
2. Search settlement websites. Many settlements have dedicated websites where you can look up your eligibility by name or email.
3. Use Class Action Buddy. The app lists all currently open settlements and shows you which ones you might qualify for based on your location and profile. Browse our open settlements to see what is available now.
4. Check your purchase history. Review your bank statements, email receipts, and online order history. If you purchased any of the products involved in current settlements, you may be eligible.

How Many Claims Can You File?

You can be a class member in as many class actions as you qualify for. Each case is independent, and filing a claim in one settlement does not affect your eligibility in another. In fact, many people file multiple claims per year across different settlements, especially for settlements that do not require proof of purchase.

For a look at what settlements are currently open and paying out, check our list of the best class action settlements of 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if I am a class member?

You are a class member if you meet the criteria defined in the lawsuit. This usually means you purchased a specific product, used a specific service, or were otherwise affected during a specific time period. Settlement notices sent by mail or email will describe these criteria. You can also check open settlements through apps like Class Action Buddy.

Do I automatically get money as a class member?

No. Being a class member makes you eligible, but you must file a claim form before the deadline to receive any payment. Some settlements do distribute payments automatically if the defendant has your contact information on file, but this is uncommon. In most cases, you need to actively submit a claim.

Can I be a class member in more than one class action?

Yes. You can be a class member in as many class actions as you qualify for. Each settlement is independent, and filing a claim in one does not affect your eligibility in another. Many people file multiple claims across different settlements throughout the year.

Related Terms

• Class Action Lawsuit — The legal case that defines the class
• Lead Plaintiff — The class member who represents everyone in court
• Claim Form — The form you submit to receive your share
• Opt Out — How to exclude yourself from the settlement