AbuseGuardian.com reports on the dismissal of a Pennsylvania woman’s defamation lawsuit against Bill Cosby. On Thursday, a U.S. Federal Judge dismissed the case against Cosby which claimed that both he and his lawyer defamed the woman in the media.
The Pittsburgh resident is one of 50 women who have publicly accused Cosby of sexual assault, and she filed this defamation lawsuit in October of 2015. The woman had starred on an educational children’s television show called Picture Pages where she alleges that Cosby drugged and molested her for years beginning when she was just 16 years old.
The actress claims that she was branded a “liar” and an “extortionist” by Cosby. Her lawyer, George Kontos, said that they were disappointed in the Judge’s decision and that they intend to file an appeal. Cosby’s lawyers, on the other hand, were pleased with the decision and hope that courts in other jurisdictions will respond similarly to other like cases.
Cosby is still facing criminal charges in a Pennsylvania case alleging that he sexually assaulted and drugged Andrea Constand in 2004, and he is facing multiple civil lawsuits from at least 12 women across the country. A criminal lawsuit occurs when a person is thought to have committed a crime and it is considered an offense against the state or society as a whole. It would be prosecuted by the state and, if the defendant is found guilty, can result in jail time.
Civil cases are different in that they are meant to determine the liability of the defendant, and, while they can result in jail time, they are usually used to recover compensation for the victim. Compensation recovered during civil suits can often be a valuable resource for victims to begin rebuilding their lives after having been wronged.
Sexual assault can have devastating effects on its victims. Most commonly, victims of this type of abuse suffer from post traumatic stress disorder, panic attacks, nightmares, physical manifestations of stress through pain, and much more, which can continue for an undetermined length of time. According to RAINN 68% of sexual assaults are not reported to the police, and many victims have feelings of shame and guilt which can cause them to delay reporting the offense, if they choose to report it at all.
Attorney Brian Kent of Laffey Bucci Kent, the firm behind AbuseGuardian.com, understands the sensitive nature of these allegations. His firm’s goal is to provide a trusted voice for the survivors of such traumatic abuse. He comments: “We are devoted to protecting the dignity, safety, and on-going security of every client.” Kent’s firm is currently representing several clients in sexual assault cases.
For more information on this press release, or to ask questions about a potential sexual assault claim, contact Attorney Brian Kent by calling 866-577-2786.
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Contact AbuseGuardian.com:
Brian Kent
(866) 577-2786
1435 Walnut St #700 Philadelphia, PA 19102
