On August 1, 2025, Rachel Neufeld Del Rossi achieved a major victory in her long fight for justice. A Jury in Atlantic County awarded her $3 million after finding former Margate City lifeguard Steven Allen Chasens responsible for sexually abusing her when she was a teenager. The award included $1.75 million in compensatory damages for the pain and trauma she endured, and $1.25 million in punitive damages, which held Chasens accountable for his actions.
Rachel was only 15 years old in the summer of 1979 when Chasens, who was then 24 years old, began grooming her. Evidence, including letters, cards, photographs, and plane tickets, showed that the abuse continued for four years in New Jersey, Florida, and the Cayman Islands.
Rachel was represented by attorney Jeffrey P. Fritz of Soloff & Zervanos, who previously secured a $485,000 settlement from the City of Margate in connection with the case. The verdict was possible under New Jersey’s Child Victims Act, which created a two-year time period for survivors of child sexual abuse to file a lawsuit and extended the statute of limitations to age 55. Rachel’s courage to share her story in court and pursue justice after so many years was highly praised. This verdict represents a personal victory for her and demonstrates that justice is possible for other survivors of abuse.
The evidence detailed the long and calculated plan of exploitation. Despite the decades that passed since the abuse ended, the jury was able to piece together a timeline and gain an understanding of the lasting harm Chasen’s actions caused.
Chasens denied the abuse claim, but the jury unanimously found him responsible for sexual battery, violations of the New Jersey Human Trafficking Act, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. The verdict reflects the jury’s recognition of the severity of the abuse and Rachel’s strength in coming forward.
Attorney Fritz expressed gratitude to the jury for carefully considering the evidence and praised Rachel for her courage. Rachel herself has said that she finally felt believed and vindicated after years of struggling in silence. She also credited New Jersey’s Child Victims Act, passed in 2019, which made survivors eligible to pursue legal action even decades after the abuse occurred.
This case demonstrates that survivors of sexual abuse can fight for justice, no matter how much time has passed. At Soloff & Zervanos, our attorneys are committed to helping survivors hold abusers accountable. We provide compassionate guidance, protect your legal rights, and fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.
If you or someone you know has experienced abuse, reaching out for legal support is an important step toward seeking justice. You do not have to suffer in silence. Our legal team is here to listen, explain your options, and fight for the justice you deserve.
