# Finding info about a class action suit **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 19, 2008, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-info-about-a-class-action-suit/441955 "2008-03-19T16:56:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2008, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-info-about-a-class-action-suit/441955/1 "2008-03-19T16:56:31Z")
A company’s just-released 10K includes the following statement: > [@](#): > > A class action was filed against [us] and its current Board of Directors purporting to assert claims on behalf of the Company’s shareholders relating to the proposed going private transaction announced by the Company on February 25, 2008. > > We cannot predict the outcome of this lawsuit, or others, nor can we predict the amount of time and expense that would be required to resolve such lawsuits. [We] disputes the merits of these claims and intends to vigorously defend against them. For non-suit related reasons, I’m trying to find out basic background information (e.g., what the asserted claims are, who filed) but all I can find are oblique references that do no more than quote the above. I don’t recall all the ins and outs of SEC filings, but is it possible that there are no court filings at this point, just private communications stating the intent to sue? But wouldn’t some ‘official’ steps have had to be taken in order for it to make it into the 10K? Any ideas where to start tracking down this information? These types of questions arise occasionally (i.e., so-and-so announces a suit against them but without details to understand what it’s all about), so general guidance will be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Rhythm ---
**Author:** ![Gfactor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@Gfactor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gfactor)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2008, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-info-about-a-class-action-suit/441955/2 "2008-03-19T17:02:52Z")
If they say a class action was filed. There are court documents out there. It’s almost certainly in federal court, so you can start by searching on Pacer: [http://pacer.psc.uscourts.gov/](http://pacer.psc.uscourts.gov/) If you don’t have access. PM or email me with the company’s name and I’ll see what I can find for you. ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2008, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-info-about-a-class-action-suit/441955/3 "2008-03-19T17:49:19Z")
How much control do you have over what Pacer charges you for? That is, is it Westlaw-like in that every peek at every document counts as a page, or is there some way of limiting the results? I’m assuming that a shareholder’s suit is likely to set out a plethora of facts, stipulations, and whatnot, but I’m really only looking for the basic meat of the case. ---
**Author:** ![Gfactor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@Gfactor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gfactor)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2008, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-info-about-a-class-action-suit/441955/4 "2008-03-19T17:59:03Z")
[QUOTE=Rhythmdvl] How much control do you have over what Pacer charges you for? That is, is it Westlaw-like in that every peek at every document counts as a page, or is there some way of limiting the results? I’m assuming that a shareholder’s suit is likely to set out a plethora of facts, stipulations, and whatnot, but I’m really only looking for the basic meat of the case. [/QUOTE] You can view the docket which is usually about three pages. Should cost about 24 cents. You’ll want to look at the complaint and maybe the answer, at least. It’s eight cents a page. Before you pull up a document, you’ll get a warn screen that tells you how many pages it is.