AMERICANS will be automatically paid $970 from a massive $12 million class action lawsuit. Class action lawsuits offer groups of people, or 'classes,' a way to band together in court. When a suit becomes a class action, it extends to all "class members," or people who may have similar complaints to those who filed the suit. Pollution, discrimination, or false advertising are a few examples of what can land a class action on a company's doorstep. Those who are unable to provide proof of purchase can only earn up to $16 from the lawsuit.