A class action lawsuit is one that allows a large number of people with a common interest in a matter to sue or be sued as a group. However, if you don’t want to sue with the group, you can let the judge know and initiate your own case. For example, if the phone company overcharged its customers, all customers who were overcharged will be included in a lawsuit and have an opportunity to share in any award granted by the judge. If a customer wanted to initiate his or her own lawsuit separate from the class, he/she would have an opportunity to let the judge know that he/she does not want to be a part of the class action case.