A class action lawsuit is a legal process in which a group of individuals with similar claims or grievances collectively sue a defendant, often a company or organization. This type of lawsuit allows people who have been affected by the same issue - such as a data breach, product defect, or unfair business practice - to combine their cases into a single court action. Class action lawsuits can make it easier for individuals to seek compensation or justice, especially when the damages for each person might be too small to pursue individually. The outcome of the case applies to all members of the group, known as the 'class.'