18:22 3 required field(s) remaining Start 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