$3 Million Verdict Awarded in Historic Child Sexual Abuse Case

A landmark verdict was reached in Atlantic County, New Jersey, where a civil jury awarded $3 million to Rachel Neufeld-Del Rossi, a survivor of child sexual abuse by former Margate City lifeguard Steven Allen Chasens. The verdict, consisting of $1.75 million in compensatory damages and $1.25 million in punitive damages, was delivered after a five-day trial that highlighted the prolonged abuse Neufeld-Del Rossi endured starting at the age of 15 in 1979.

The evidence presented during the trial included letters, cards, photos, and plane tickets, illustrating how Chasens groomed and abused Neufeld-Del Rossi in New Jersey and transported her to locations such as Florida and the Cayman Islands for continued abuse. Despite Chasens' denial of the allegations, the jury found him responsible for sexual battery, violations of the New Jersey Human Trafficking Act, and intentionally inflicting harm.

Jeffrey Fritz, the attorney representing Neufeld-Del Rossi from Soloff & Zervanos, expressed gratitude towards the jury for their dedication to addressing the issue of child sexual abuse. Neufeld-Del Rossi shared her relief and vindication following the verdict, emphasizing the importance of the Child Victims Act in allowing survivors like her to seek justice decades after the abuse occurred.

This case underscores the critical role of legal frameworks like the Child Victims Act in providing survivors with the opportunity to hold their abusers accountable. The verdict not only represents a personal victory for Neufeld-Del Rossi but also serves as a beacon of hope for other survivors of child sexual abuse.