Bill Cosby has been married for more than 40 years

The woman, who lives in Canada, has accused the TV star of giving her tablets that rendered her semi-conscious before assaulting her.

She is also seeking defamation damages, claiming Cosby's staff said she tried to extort money from him.

Cosby has said the woman "misinterpreted" his actions.

'Out of line'

His lawyer, John Schmitt, said the actor "will address this matter through the judicial process and not through the media".

Prosecutors decided there was insufficient evidence to support charges when the woman sought criminal action a year after the alleged incident took place.

But the woman's lawyer, Delores Troiani, said: "That prosecutor was out of line."

The legal action alleges Cosby's representatives told the media the woman's family had asked for money before going to the police.

'Exploited'

"He has compounded it by making it appear as if she tried to extort money from him," Ms Troiani said.

Cosby has denied the sex assault claims, admitting he knew the woman but said he was being exploited because of his celebrity status.

"Looking back on it, I realise words and actions can be misinterpreted by another person," Cosby recently told the National Enquirer.