What Is a Nationwide Class?
A nationwide class covers eligible people across all US states, rather than limiting the case to residents of one state.
A nationwide class is a class in a class action that includes everyone across the United States who meets the class definition, rather than only people in one state or region. Many consumer settlements, especially those involving national brands, are structured this way.
Why it matters to you
If a settlement has a nationwide class, where you live usually does not affect your eligibility, as long as you meet the rest of the definition. If instead it is limited to one state, you must have lived, bought or been affected in that state during the class period. The class definition in the notice will say which applies.
Nationwide classes and state subclasses
Some settlements combine a nationwide class with state subclasses. Residents of a state with a stronger consumer or privacy law may get an extra payment or a separate tier. For example, a privacy settlement might pay all class members a base amount and pay more to people in a state with its own privacy statute.
Why some cases are state-only
- ✓The claims rely on a specific state law
- ✓Differences between state laws would make one class hard to manage
- ✓The conduct only happened in one state
- ✓The case was filed in state court under state rules
Courts certifying a nationwide damages class must still find that common issues predominate, which can be harder when the claims depend on different state laws. Settlement classes face this test too, though manageability at trial is less of a concern.
A simple example
A settlement over a subscription fee covers all US customers charged during the class period, with a higher payment for residents of a state whose automatic renewal law was at issue. Someone in any state can file; residents of that state get an extra amount.
Nationwide does not always mean every US resident who used a product. The definition may still be limited by dates, purchase channels or account types. Read the full definition before assuming you are in or out.
Related terms
Nationwide classes are often in federal court because of the Class Action Fairness Act. To see which settlements apply in your state, browse settlements by state.
SettleScout takes your location into account when it matches you with open settlements, including state-only ones.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I claim a nationwide settlement if I moved states?
Usually yes, if you meet the class definition. State-specific subclasses may depend on where you lived during the class period.
Are residents of other countries included in a nationwide class?
Typically not. Nationwide classes usually cover US residents or US purchases, though the exact definition varies.
Why do some states get higher payments?
Some state laws provide statutory damages or extra protections, so settlements may pay more to residents of those states through subclasses.
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