A class action is a type of lawsuit in which one or a few plaintiffs seek to represent hundreds or thousands of plaintiffs with the same or similar claims against the same defendants. Rules of procedure in state and federal courts permit class actions in limited circumstances for the purpose of resolving similar disputes more efficiently than if each plaintiff filed a separate lawsuit.

In Oklahoma, class action lawsuits are governed by the Oklahoma Code of Civil Procedure, specifically under Section 2023, which mirrors the Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 23. This legal framework allows one or more plaintiffs to file a lawsuit on behalf of a larger group, or 'class,' provided they meet certain criteria. These criteria include having a large number of people with similar legal grievances, common questions of law or fact, representative claims typical of the class, and a representative party who will fairly and adequately protect the interests of the class. The purpose of a class action is to provide an efficient and economical means for large groups of individuals to resolve common legal issues. Class actions can be brought in state or federal court, depending on the specifics of the case, such as the nature of the claims, the amount in controversy, and whether the case involves federal law or parties from different states. If a case is eligible for federal jurisdiction, it may be brought under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure in federal court. The decision to certify a class action is at the discretion of the court, which will assess whether the prerequisites for a class action are satisfied.