In a class action lawsuit, what characteristic do the participants share?

In a class action lawsuit, the participants share similar claims leading to a common legal position. This means that the individuals involved in the class action have experienced similar issues or grievances against the same defendant, which justifies bringing them together in a single legal case. The concept of a class action is to efficiently resolve these common issues collectively rather than having each individual pursue separate lawsuits, which could burden the legal system and lead to inconsistent judgments.

The basis for this collective action is that the underlying facts and legal theories affecting the individuals are alike, making it more practical and fair for the court to handle them as one case. This shared legal position supports the notion that the claims arise from the same set of circumstances or policies from the defendant, allowing for a more streamlined process in addressing their grievances.

The other choices do not accurately represent the primary characteristic of class action participants. Defendants do not share a commonality in a class action; geographic location is not a requirement for class membership; and while participants may have the same attorney, this is not a defining characteristic of a class action suit. The main emphasis lies in the similarity of the claims which forms the foundation of the class action itself.