Zachary Andrew McEntyre is an Atlanta-based attorney who practices as partner with King & Spalding, LLP (K&S). He defends corporate clients in complex class actions and disputes related insurance recovery. One distinction Zachary Andrew McEntyre is familiar with is that between a mass tort and a class action.
The two types of cases share fundamental similarities. In both, a large number of people pursue a common case related to alleged injury or damage. The numerous lawsuits that might otherwise arise can be consolidated into a single action. This reduces the potential court load related to a specific issue or incident. But there are differences. Mass torts typically involve distinct individuals, often within a limited geographic region. This often makes the plaintiff group smaller, with each plaintiff having status as an individual within the proceeding. There is a requirement that each plaintiff prove specific facts of their case, such as injury alleged to have been suffered, before the mass tort proceeds. With class action suits, “class” refers to a large group of plaintiffs plaintiff who together agree to share the same representative. With this designated attorney or firm standing in for all class members, they are grouped together procedurally as a single plaintiff. This can be necessary when there are so many participants with a common claim that it is impractical to consider each person’s circumstances individually.
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AuthorAn experienced commercial litigator, Zachary Andrew McEntyre currently serves as a senior associate in King & Spalding’s Atlanta. Archives
January 2018
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