Joanne Branham says she hopes the lawsuit, which asks for unspecified compensatory and punitive compensation, will make companies think twice.

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For example, it's tougher to certify a class seeking monetary compensation or punitive damages than it is to certify one that just requests a court order ending a defendant's wrongdoing, said Elizabeth Chamblee Burch, a law professor at Florida State University.

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If they do, they're subject to civil suits, including compensation for emotional injury and punitive damages.

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