A class action lawsuit is where one person (or a small group of people) brings forward a claim on behalf of a large number of people with similar claims. If the court agrees to certify the lawsuit as a class action, all class members have an equal say and right to receive compensation as determined by the court.

There are a number of factors the courts consider when deciding whether to allow a class action claim to proceed. For example:

• The number of plaintiffs;
• Whether there are common legal issues or common damages;
• Whether the representative plaintiff (or plaintiffs) will adequately protect and represent the interests of the entire class.

The primary goal of class actions is to provide cost effective access to justice.

More Educational Resources About Class Actions

Goals of Class Action Legislation

How is a Class Action Certified?

Frequently Asked Questions About Class Actions

CURRENT CLASS ACTIONS

Arnold McKiggan Hutchison is currently involved in litigation and/or investigating the following claims:

Knowledge House Inc. Class Action

Arnold McKiggan Hutchison has been retained to investigate potential claims arising from the collapse of Knowledge House Inc. (KHI) and the losses suffered by KHI’s investors.

Arnold McKiggan Hutchison is examining whether there are grounds for a class action on behalf of former shareholders of KHI.

If you were a shareholder in Knowledge House Inc and would like more information please CONTACT US.

Antigonish Diocese Priest Abuse Class Action:

Arnold McKiggan Hutchison represents survivors of sexual abuse by Roman Catholic priests, Father Hugh Vincent MacDonald, Father Clair Richard, Father Claude Richard, Father James Mombourquette and Father Frank MacNeil who were employed by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Antigonish. If you or a member of your family was a victim of sexual abuse by a priest from the Antigonish Diocese, you may call Arnold McKiggan Hutchison toll free at 1-877-423-2050 or click here here for a free consultation.

Shubenacadie Indian Residential School

John McKiggan represented more than 600 former members of the Shubenacadie Indian Residential school as part of the steering committee for the Baxter v. Canada national class action. The Baxter class action is the largest class action settlement in Canadian history and provided a fund of 2 billion dollars to compensate up to eighty thousand former students of Indian Residential Schools across Canada.

You can click here to watch a Powerpoint slide show of a presentation that John McKiggan was asked to give to the Nova Scotia Barrister's Society conference on Class Action Litigation on the topic: Playing at the National Stage Pitfalls and Success.

Vioxx

Vioxx is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) developed by Merck & Co. which was used to treat symptoms of osteoarthritis and chronic pain. Two prominent medical journals have published articles which link Vioxx use to a significantly heightened risk of heart attack and stroke. In September 2004, Merck recalled Vioxx following test results which indicated that Vioxx users were twice as likely to suffer heart attacks or strokes as compared to patients receiving a placebo.

The Canadian Vioxx class action was recently settled. If you or a member of your family has suffered an injury which you believe is related to Vioxx use, you may call Arnold McKiggan Hutchison toll free at 1-877-423-2050 or click here for a free consultation.