What Happens if Multiple Victims Sue the Same Abuser?

Sexual abuse victims may sue their abusers in civil court to get fair financial compensation and justice for what happened to them. It is not unusual for a defendant to have abused multiple people, and each victim might want to file their own cases and claims. If this happens, your case may become intertwined with others.

If multiple sexual abuse victims sue the same abuser, their cases may be consolidated. This is not a class action lawsuit, as sexual abuse claims tend to be too individualized to be combined in such a way. However, certain pretrial hearings, evidence, and legal resources may be coordinated and combined so that all claims against one defendant may be handled more efficiently. At the end of the day, your claims and potential compensation remain independent.

Begin your civil case with a free, private review by calling our sexual abuse attorneys at The Law Office of Andrew Shubin at (814) 826-3586.

Can Multiple Victims Sue the Same Person in a Sexual Abuse Civil Case?

Sexual abusers often have more than one victim. You might know of other victims, or you might be unaware until they make themselves known. Either way, their claims could be tethered to yours.

Consolidation of Cases

Your case may be consolidated with the cases of other victims of the same abuser. This is not uncommon in sexual abuse cases. When one victim comes forward, others may feel more empowered to do the same. As they begin to file their separate claims, courts may realize they have multiple cases dealing with the same or similar questions of law and fact. Consolidating cases so they may be handled together may lead to a more efficient judicial process.

Collective and Individual Claims

It is important to note that if and when your sexual abuse case is consolidated with other cases against the same abuser, you are not suddenly a part of a class action lawsuit. Case consolidation is a procedural tool courts use to manage multiple individual cases more efficiently. A class action lawsuit is a specific type of lawsuit where a group is represented by the same legal counsel, and everyone in the group is bound by the same outcome.

Put another way, if your case is consolidated, your claims remain independent from others, and your outcome might not be the same as other victims.

Coordinating Claims with Other Victims

Even though your case remains independent, you, the other victims, and everyone’s attorneys may coordinate your claims to be stronger together. This may involve combining certain pretrial hearings into a single hearing to improve speed and efficiency. You may also choose to share information with other victims in the hopes of boosting each other’s chances of success.

How Do I Know if Other Victims Are Suing the Same Abuser in Sexual Abuse Cases?

There is a good chance that you do not know whether other victims of the same abuser even exist. If they do, your attorney can help you decide what steps to take next.

Victims from the Same Abuse Incident

You might already know about other victims who were abused around the same time as you. The abuser might have even sexually abused more than one victim at the same time. It is also not uncommon for victims to decide together to take legal action and file their cases at almost the same time.

Community Outreach

Sexual abuse victims often seek solace from other victims who know what they are going through. Community outreach or support programs exist, and they sometimes connect people with others who were victimized by the same abuser. This can take people by surprise, but you should tell your attorney you know of other victims as soon as you find out.

Victims Learn of Each Other After Filing

We might not learn about other victims until after our sexual abuse lawyers file your case. Sexual abuse claims often get a bit of media attention, and other victims might feel empowered to come forward about their own cases after hearing about yours.

Will Combining Sexual Abuse Claims with Other Victims Make a Case Stronger?

Consolidating cases or coordinating resources with other victims of the same abuser can sometimes significantly strengthen plaintiffs’ claims.

Combining Evidence

It may be possible to share evidence with other victims in other cases. We might have evidence that can benefit other victims, and they may have information we have yet to uncover. Even informal discussions about the abuse with other victims may reveal crucial details we would otherwise not have learned about.

Coordinating Hearings

Hearings may also be combined. Hearings on pretrial motions, evidence, and status updates may be held simultaneously. This speeds up the process for all cases filed against the same abuser, making it much more efficient for everyone.

Sharing Legal Resources

We can also share legal resources with other victims. In some situations, other victims may be represented by other attorneys from the same law firm, and the entire situation may be handled under one roof. This may make it much easier for the attorneys representing each victim to communicate and coordinate.

FAQs About Multiple Victims Suing the Same Abuser in Sexual Abuse Cases

Can Multiple Sexual Abuse Victims Sue the Same Abuser?

Yes. If a defendant is accused of sexually abusing more than one person, which is more common than people realize, each victim may file a civil lawsuit against the abuser. As such, there may be other victims out there pursuing claims against the same person as you.

What Happens if Multiple Sexual Abuse Cases Are Combined?

When multiple victims file civil claims against the same defendant, the courts may consolidate their cases. This may allow all the claims and cases to be tried faster and more efficiently than if each case were tried separately.

Can I File a Class Action Lawsuit for Sexual Abuse Claims?

You likely cannot file or join a class action lawsuit for sexual abuse. The injuries and damages involved in civil claims for sexual abuse are often too unique to be combined in a class action. Instead, hearings, evidence, and resources may be coordinated and consolidated, but the cases are not combined into a single class action.

Are There Advantages to Combining Sexual Abuse Claims with Other Victims?

Yes. When your case is consolidated with the cases of other victims, you all may share legal resources and evidence to strengthen your claims. Often, the victims testify in each other’s cases to help hold the same abuser liable for all the abuse.

Do I Have to Combine My Case with Other Sexual Abuse Victims?

Not necessarily. In some cases, plaintiffs may choose to keep their case separate from the cases of other plaintiffs suing the same abuser. However, judges may issue court orders to consolidate cases if they share questions of law or facts in the interest of judicial efficiency.

Can I Join Another Victim’s Sexual Abuse Case if My Claims Are Time-Barred by the Statute of Limitations?

Not exactly. If your claims are time-barred by the statute of limitations, and you can file your case using a look-back window, you might be unable to file anything. However, if other victims of the same abuser are not time-barred, you may be able to provide testimony about the abuser to support their claims. In a way, you may still help to hold the abuser accountable in court.

Contact Our Sexual Abuse Lawyers to Discuss Your Case

Begin your civil case with a free, private review by calling our sexual abuse attorneys at The Law Office of Andrew Shubin at (814) 826-3586.