Class Action Triage

Factor 1: Scale

Quick Check: Are there 40+ identifiable potential class members?

Factor 2: Uniformity

Quick Check: Did defendant do the same thing to everyone?

Red Flags:

• "It depends on each person's situation"
• Multiple product versions
• Case-by-case decisions

Factor 3: Provability

Quick Check: Can we prove it with evidence that applies to everyone?

Factor 4: Economics

Sweet Spot: Per-person $50-$5,000, total $5M-$500M

Key Insight:

• Per-person >$75K → Individual suits better
• Per-person <$200 AND total <$1M → Economically unviable

Factor 5: Barriers

Classification Rules

GREEN - Strong Candidate

All present:

• 100+ identifiable class members
• Uniform defendant conduct
• Common evidence proves liability
• Total damages >$5 million
• Per-person damages <$75K
• Defendant can pay
• No choice of law problems
• Favorable/neutral precedent

Routing: Proceed with intake. Run conflicts. Full Rule 23 analysis.

Typical GREEN Cases:

• Consumer product defect (thousands affected)
• Price-fixing with identifiable purchasers
• Uniform employment policy violation
• Standardized false advertising
• Data breach with ascertainable victims

YELLOW - Needs Investigation

One or more present:

• Class size 25-100 (borderline)
• Some conduct variation but core similarity
• Some individual issues but common questions dominate
• Total damages $2-5M (marginal economics)
• Per-person $5-75K (could go either way)
• Some choice of law complexity
• May need subclasses
• Mixed precedent

Routing: Investigate specific issues. Develop strategy before intake.

Common YELLOW Strategies:

• Narrow class definition
• Create subclasses for state laws
• Focus on 23(b)(2) if monetary damages problematic
• Consider state court filing

RED - Not Suitable for Class

One or more present:

• <25 potential class members
• Conduct varied significantly by person
• Liability requires individual proof
• Per-person damages >$100K
• Aggregate damages <$1M
• Defendant judgment-proof
• Insurmountable choice of law problems
• Strong adverse precedent
• Claims are fundamentally individual

Routing: Not a class action. Consider alternatives.

Alternative Strategies:

• Individual high-value litigation
• MDL consolidation (personal injury)
• Mass arbitration
• Government enforcement referral

Triage Decision Tree

START: New potential class action

Q1: 40+ potential class members?
├─ NO → RED
└─ YES ↓

Q2: Same conduct to everyone?
├─ NO → RED
└─ YES ↓

Q3: Common evidence proves liability?
├─ NO → RED
└─ YES ↓

Q4: Total damages > $2 million?
├─ NO → RED
└─ YES ↓

Q5: Per-person damages < $75K?
├─ NO → YELLOW (evaluate if class adds value)
└─ YES ↓

Q6: Significant certification barriers?
├─ YES → YELLOW (investigate)
└─ NO → GREEN (proceed)

Triage Output Format

## CLASS ACTION TRIAGE

**Matter**: [Description]
**Defendant**: [Name]
**Date**: [Date]

---

### CLASSIFICATION: [GREEN / YELLOW / RED]

---

### 5-FACTOR ASSESSMENT

| Factor | Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Scale | G/Y/R | |
| Uniformity | G/Y/R | |
| Provability | G/Y/R | |
| Economics | G/Y/R | |
| Barriers | G/Y/R | |

---

### KEY FACTS

- **Potential class**: [Size and description]
- **Defendant conduct**: [What they did]
- **Harm**: [Type and magnitude]
- **Timeline**: [When]

---

### RATIONALE

[2-3 sentences explaining classification]

---

### NEXT STEPS

[GREEN]: Conflicts check → Full Rule 23 analysis → Intake memo

[YELLOW]:
1. [Issue to investigate]
2. [Issue to investigate]

[RED]: [Alternative recommendation]

Case Type Quick Reference