sexual assault Archives | Galiher DeRobertis & Waxman LLP

How to Protect Yourself from Uber Drivers Sexual Assault

Posted on October 28, 2025December 9, 2025 by Candice Paddock

Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft have revolutionized transportation, offering convenience and affordability to passengers. But alarming safety concerns regarding Lyth and Uber sexual assault cases have cast a shadow over their widespread use.

Records of Lyft and Uber Drivers Sexual Assault

According to Uber’s 2021–2022 U.S. Safety Report, there were 2,717 incidents of Uber driver sexual assault and misconduct during that time. Lyft’s 2020–2022 Community Safety Report revealed 2,651 sexual assault cases and 23 fatal physical assaults during the time period.

These numbers underscore a disturbing reality: despite the convenience, rideshare platforms raise serious safety risks for passengers. The statistics also highlight a disturbing trend that has triggered widespread legal action and calls for reform.

Statute of Limitations for Sexual Assault in Hawai’i and California

Posted on October 2, 2025December 9, 2025 by Candice Paddock

Does rape have a statute of limitations? The answer to that question depends on a few factors, not the least of which is state law. The question of how long a person has to report sexual assault is also critical for survivors seeking justice.

The laws governing the time period (statute of limitations) vary widely across states due to differing legislative priorities, societal views on trauma, and evolving understandings of how trauma affects survivors of childhood and adult sexual assault. In states like California and Hawai’i, recent legal changes have expanded options for survivors.

Why Statutes of Limitations Vary

The statute of limitations for sexual assault differs by state based on factors like:

the severity of the crime
the victim’s age
evidence availability

For instance, serious felonies like rape often have longer or no time limits compared to lesser offenses, as states prioritize justice for severe crimes. Some states extend deadlines for cases involving minors, recognizing that trauma may delay disclosure.

Advocacy has also driven reforms, with states like California and Hawai’i revising laws to accommodate survivors’ needs. Additionally, advancements in DNA evidence have prompted some states to extend or eliminate time limits when new evidence emerges, impacting the rape statute of limitations.

Lax Safety by Uber, Lyft Puts Rideshare Passengers at Risk

Posted on March 25, 2025August 18, 2025 by Galiher DeRobertis & Waxman

In Hawai’i and across the U.S., Uber and Lyft are facing a growing outcry for their failures to protect passengers from driver harassment and sexual assault.

Rideshare companies are being hit with lawsuits from passengers raising serious concerns about their safety precautions and driver screening processes. Galiher DeRobertis & Waxman filed the first such lawsuit in Hawai’i.

“Rideshare companies have failed to take even the most fundamental steps to protect passengers. The reason is simple: these companies are placing profit over passenger safety,” said firm co-founder Ilana Waxman.

According to the lawsuits, the companies have neglected to conduct thorough background checks on drivers and ignored previous complaints of driver misconduct. Many victims alleging sexual assault also claim that the rideshare companies failed to implement sufficient safety measures to ensure that passengers are protected.

Women In Law Virtual Roundtable Q&A with Victoria Chang

Posted on March 11, 2025August 18, 2025 by Galiher DeRobertis & Waxman

Victoria Chang is a veteran trial lawyer and passionate advocate for individuals who have been injured by dangerous products and reckless and negligent practices. Victoria has spent her career litigating on behalf of those who were injured by the wrongdoing of others. Before joining Galiher DeRobertis & Waxman, she worked for 10 years as a prosecutor focusing on obtaining justice for victims of sexual assault, both minors and adults. That background provides valuable expertise for her practice representing sex assault victims in civil litigation against schools and other institutions and organizations when they fail to protect individuals in their care. Victoria also represents individuals who have been harmed by dangerous and defective products, including exposure to materials and products containing cancer-causing asbestos and other harmful chemicals.

Female Inmates Use Legal System to Fight Prison Sex Abuse

Posted on November 6, 2024August 18, 2025 by Galiher DeRobertis & Waxman

Female inmates in Hawai’i and in facilities across the U.S. are demanding accountability for a pattern of sexual abuse by guards and staff. More than 5,000 claims of sexual assault and abuse by guards have been reported since 2012, including a series of assaults at the Women’s Community Correctional Center in Kailua.

Hawaiʻi prison officials have pledged to improve security for women inmates at the facility as part of a $2 million settlement on behalf of six women who were sexually assaulted by guards.

“This settlement recognizes that these women were victims while in the State’s custody and that they should receive a measure of justice for the harm the ACOs caused them,” said Attorney General Anne Lopez.

Managing Partner Ilana Waxman Earns National Trial Lawyers Honor

Posted on June 18, 2024August 18, 2025 by Galiher DeRobertis & Waxman

Galiher DeRobertis & Waxman is proud to announce that Managing Partner Ilana Waxman has been recognized among the nation’s top plaintiffs civil trial lawyers by the National Trial Lawyers organization.

Waxman was singled out by the invitation-only organization based on her work on behalf of individuals diagnosed with mesothelioma from asbestos exposure, as well as victims of childhood sexual assault. Her practice also focuses on representation of families of children born with birth defects due to exposure to toxic chemicals and individuals suffering from non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma from exposure to Monsanto’s Roundup herbicide.

Law Firm Earns 1 of the Top 50 Largest Injury Settlements of 2022

Posted on March 6, 2024August 18, 2025 by Galiher DeRobertis & Waxman

A multi-million dollar litigation settlement secured by Galiher DeRobertis & Waxman trial lawyers is recognized among the Top 50 in the nation for 2022. The case underscores the Hawai’i-based firm’s ability to handle some of the most challenging types of injury litigation, which include asbestos exposure and sex assault.

The case involved a $5.63 million settlement on behalf of a Hawai’i student who was sexually assaulted by a teacher, according to an analysis of state and federal records by researchers at TopVerdict.com.

“Sexual assault litigation is extremely difficult. The victims often feel like the legal system is uncaring and victimizes them all over again. It’s extremely gratifying to represent these individuals and help them obtain justice,” said Galliher DeRobertis & Waxman lawyers Ilana Waxman and Chris Johnson, who played leadership roles in the case. “We were able to win a significant settlement that avoided having the victim testify in trial. Recognition like this is just another indication that our passion for clients and their causes can make a difference.”