Bill Cosby may face a class-action lawsuit as several of his alleged victims rally together

BILL Cosby may dodge criminal charges over a slew of sex assault allegations, but one of the women to accuse him has vowed to launch a class-action lawsuit.

WHILE it’s unlikely Bill Cosby will face criminal charges over a string of fresh sex assault allegations, one of the women to accuse him has vowed to make him pay.

The now 77-year-old American performer has faced weeks of renewed pressure as shocking revelations about his alleged predatory nature emerge.

Under fire ... a total of 18 women have now come forward to accuse comedian Bill Cosby of raping or sexually assaulting them over the past five decades. Picture: AFP

A total of 18 women have now come forward with consistent accounts of rape of sexual assault over more than five decades.

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Many say they were aspiring young performers when Cosby offered to act as a mentor, but instead drugged and attacked them.

Famed supermodel Janice Dickinson is among the list of women, saying she was attacked in 1982.

Other alleged incidents date back to the 1960s when Cosby’s career was on the rise.

Alleged victim ... nurse Therese Serignese claims Bill Cosby raped her in 1976 when she was 19 years old following a show in Las Vegas. Picture: AP Photo

Cosby’s lawyers have staunchly denied all of the claims, while the comic himself has refused to comment during recent interviews.

But the storm has cost him a new TV project and seen re-runs of his famous sitcom shelved. Planned appearances on various chat shows have also been canned.

If former actress Louisa Moritz is successful, The Cosby Show star may have to cough up big time in civil proceedings.

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Moritz told gossip website TMZ she has started reaching out to some of the other women to accuse Cosby, and wants at least nine others to join her in a class-action suit.

Still going ... despite mounting allegations and some professional setbacks, Bill Cosby went ahead with a planned stand-up performance in Florida at the weekend. Picture: AP Photo

She is currently speaking with a team of lawyers about the best approach to get the matter into court.

Even if the action isn’t successful, Moritz said the united front would be a “meaningful” exercise for those involved.

Shock claims ... supermodel Janice Dickinson is one of the women to accuse Bill Cosby of sexual assault, saying the incident occurred in 1982. Picture: AP

While the statute of limitations — a sort of shelf life on bringing charges to court in the United States — applies to civil cases, there are certain instances where a case could still be made.

Regardless, legal commentators say any court action would be an uphill battle.

Originally published as Bill Cosby may face a class-action lawsuit as several of his alleged victims rally together