The goal is also to create an incentive for the company to behave appropriately (legally) in the future. A few low-cost losses is not going to do that.
The goal is social justice, not just individual justice.
The goal is social justice, not just individual justice.
The fallacy is that these transactions have to be financial.
They don't. Any number of other remedies - from jail time downwards - would provide a stronger deterrent.
Without strong deterrents and the threat of even more expensive class action - possibly leading to personal ruin - individual losses can be written off as a cost of doing business.
Generally the sanctions for bad behaviour are far too light, and strongly biased towards business owners over customers/victims.
The Sackler/Purdue story is a perfect example. Inconceivable levels of harm were caused - far more harm than a high profile terrorist attack. But the Sackler family is still worth billions. And no one is going to jail.
A formal written complaint prior to filing for abitration might have been equally effective. Incentivizing escalation simply drives up the costs of resolving disputes.