In recent years, there have been an increasing number of sexual abuse allegations brought against famous Hollywood actors, producers, and directors. Some of the most shocking has been connected to disgraced comedian and actor Bill Cosby. In late December 2023, Bill Cosby was again accused of sexual battery under New York’s Adult Survivors Act.
The Adult Survivors Act
In November of 2022, New York’s Adult Survivors Act (ASA) went into effect, creating a one-year lookback window for adulthood survivors of sexual abuse to file sexual abuse injury claims. Since the ASA was enacted, hundreds of survivors have come forward to hold their abusers accountable. The period opened on November 25, 2022, and will end on November 23, 2022, and allows survivors who have been barred by statutes of limitations to bring these claims regardless of when the abuse occurred.
ASA Complaints Filed Against Bill Cosby
On December 30, 2022, a complaint was filed against Bill Cosby. The ASA pleading was filed by a former flight attendant, model, and aspiring actress Stacey Pinkerton. Pinkerton claims that she met Cosby in 1986 when she was 21 and that the Cosby Show producer used his power and influence to groom and sexually assault her.
Pinkerton’s lawsuit also names Kaufman Astoria Studios, Casey-Werner Company, and NBC for their roles in Cosby’s hit sitcom, alleging they “facilitated, enabled, approved, and ratified Cosby’s sexual assaults of women” and helped to conceal his abuse. According to the complaint, bill Cosby has been “accused of sexually assaulting over 60 women between the 1960s and 2008.” It also alleged that when he was deposed in 2005, he admitted using quaaludes to drug young women with whom he wanted to have sexual intercourse.
More Women Have Filed ASA Claims Against Cosby
In early December, five other women also filed ASA claims against Cosby. Specifically, two former actresses from The Cosby Show and three other women filed a complaint, alleging that Cosby committed assault and that they suffered infliction of emotional distress and false imprisonment. The plaintiffs also named NBCUniversal Media, Kaufman Astoria Studios, and The Carsey-Werner Company, which together ran “The Cosby Show” from 1984 to 1992.
Past Sexual Abuse Allegations Against Cosby
These allegations are similar to those brought in 2014 and 2015 when over 50 women reported that Cosby had drugged and sexually assaulted them and then used his power and influence to silence their voices. Bill Cosby was charged and convicted of sexual assault in 2018. However, this conviction was overturned by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court because of a due process issue. In 2022, Los Angeles jurors awarded Judy Huth a $500,000 judgment. Huth claimed Bill Cosby sexually abused her in the 1970s when she was a teen.
As the Cosby sexual abuse complaints show, survivors’ pain and devastation can be life-altering and last for years. When someone is sexually abused or assaulted, the consequences can be devastating. The Adult Survivors Act was enacted to allow survivors to pursue sexual abuse injury claims against their abusers and institutions that failed to protect them from abuse.
If you have been sexually abused or assaulted, it’s essential that you get the help you need to recover. The sexual abuse injury attorneys of Bonina and Bonina, P.C. can help. We understand the trauma that can be inflicted by sexual abuse and assault. Our dedicated sexual abuse injury attorneys can help you evaluate your claim and seek the remedies to support your healing and well-being.
Contact an Experienced Sexual Abuse Injury Attorney
Every survivor deserves to have the opportunity to hold their abusers accountable. If you’ve been the victim of rape, sexual abuse, or other sexual violence, you want an experienced and compassionate sexual abuse injury attorney on your side. Bonina & Bonina, P.C. understand the importance of helping sexual violence survivors get the help they need for their trauma. Contact us online or call us at 1-888-MEDLAW1 to schedule your free consultation. Home and hospital visits are available. Se Habla Español.