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story, it will be very hard to argue that everyone's story is untrue. (For a good example. read New
York Magazine's 'I'm No Longer Afraid: 35 Women Tell Their Stories About Being Assaulted by Bill
Cosli and the Culture That Wouldn't Listen htipslitinytirl tom/ i5(:osbyAceters).
Furthermore, if the jury hears multiple cases where the abuse survivor failed for many years to fully
confront the effects of the abuse, it will help them understand that common phenomenon. Likewise,
defendants are more likely to lack credibility with a jury. for example. when arguing they should not
have realized victims were in danger in the face of overwhelming evidence that multiple victims were
being abused by the same person(s). Lastly. the stronger a case becomes, the more likely the
defendant will agree to a reasonable and early settlement.
If you decide not to join forces with other plaintiffs, we will still try to offer evidence from other
abuse survivors for the reasons described above, but the defendant(s) will most likely vigorously try
to exclude that evidence. On some level, having multiple plaintiffs in the same case makes it easier
for the judge to see why the evidence should be admitted.
REASONS AGAINST JOINING MULTIPLE PLAINTIFFS IN THE SAME CASE
It is possible that a weak case or unsympathetic plaintiff will drag down other stronger cases or more
sympathetic plaintiffs. No two cases have the same value, same losses, or same damages, which is why
our Firm has generally recommended against class action lawsuits in child sex abuse cases, at least as
to damages. Thus, a person with a particularly strong case may not want his or her case "diluted" by
weaker cases. In addition, joining together in one case puts everyone's "eggs in one basket." Although
juries are instructed to consider each case on its own merits, something bad about one of the
plaintiffs could negatively affect all of the plaintiffs.
In addition, each plaintiff loses some measure of control over their individual case and over the
aggregate costs. While you always have the right to decide whether to resolve your case, such as
whether to accept a settlement or whether to go through a jury trial, some procedural decisions will
likely have to be made by a vote. There may be many such decisions during a case and there may be
possible disagreement and hurt feelings. You must agree in advance to participate in joint decision
making and to abide by decisions that you might not agree with.
In addition, there is always the risk that a jury might have difficulty keeping the facts straight if it
hears evidence about multiple plaintiffs in the same case.
Lastly, when you join with other plaintiffs, it is possible that the resolution of your case might be
delayed by a development in one or more of the other cases.
OUR REASONS FOR REPRESENTING MULTIPLE CLIENTa
One advantage of representing multiple clients is that the work of our Firm will benefit multiple
people at the same time. For example, we often spend considerable time and resources working to
find evidence to hold the defendant(s) liable for what our clients endured. Similarly, we often find
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