Dr. Hadden Lawsuit: What Do You Need to Know?

Dr. Robert Hadden Lawsuit Overview

Whether from online news articles or daily news programs, you may have heard about the case of Dr. Robert Hadden – a former Columbia University gynecologist criminally convicted of several counts of unlawful sexual abuse and misconduct.

Robert Hadden was able to evade criminal charges for years, but was recently convicted of four federal sex abuse charges and faces life in prison.

What to Know: Columbia University & Dr. Robert Hadden Lawsuit; Dr. Hadden Lawsuit What Do You Need to Know About the Dr. Hadden Sexual Abuse Lawsuit?

Former patients are seeking justice in civil lawsuits filed against the institutions that enabled Robert Hadden.

So far, The DiPietro Law Firm has helped clients recover over $236 million in compensation from Columbia University and its affiliates for Hadden’s sexual abuse.

This blog post will discuss:

  • The lawsuit against Columbia University, its affiliates, and Dr. Robert Hadden;
  • Robert Hadden’s background;
  • The charges brought against him; and
  • The recent developments in his trial

Table of Contents

Who Is Dr. Robert Hadden?

Here are some quick facts about Dr. Robert Hadden:

  • He was an obstetrician-gynecologist (OB-GYN) and fertility specialist who practiced in New York City at several clinics in the Columbia University health system.
  • He reportedly graduated from New York Medical College and received his medical license in 1990.
  • He practiced at Columbia University Irving Medical Center and the New York-Presbyterian Hospital.
  • He also worked at Columbia University’s affiliated hospitals and medical offices throughout New York.
  • He sexually abused women and young girls for decades, enabled by Columbia University and administrators.
  • He has been criminally convicted on federal charges and faces life in prison.

What Happened in the Dr. Hadden Lawsuit?

Some of the first stories of Hadden’s disturbing pattern of sexual assault came out in June 2012, when a former patient reported to the police that the doctor had sexually abused her during a medical examination.

Despite that report, Hadden was not charged with a crime because of insufficient evidence.

This prompted more of Hadden’s victims to come forward.

In June 2013, at least seven women, including past patients and a former staff member, filed a lawsuit against Hadden in Manhattan Supreme Court.

A Manhattan Supreme Court grand jury eventually indicted Dr. Robert Hadden in June 2014.

This covered six counts of sexual misconduct, including charges of sexual abuse, criminal sex act, and forcible touching, which should have landed him in prison.

More and more lawsuits against Dr. Robert Hadden and Columbia University came forward.

However, the sexual predator was able to dodge accountability for his actions.

In 2016 he agreed to a guilty plea deal with the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, where Cyrus Vance Jr. was the district attorney at the time.

Out of the nine charges against him, Hadden pleaded guilty to only two: forcibly touching and sexual abuse in the third degree.

Because of this, the New York State Court did not sentence Hadden to prison but demanded that he surrender his medical license and register as a sex offender.

Robert Hadden was again indicted in September 2020 for six counts of enticing and inducing victims to cross state lines to engage in illegal sexual conduct.

These victims included five adults and a minor.

He was allowed to post bail for one million dollars despite the federal charges.

A press release from the US Department of Justice revealed that Dr. Robert Hadden sexually abused patients, including female adults, pregnant women, and multiple minors, from approximately 1993 to 2012.

Federal prosecutors stated that Hadden performed several vile acts in a previously sealed indictment, including:

  • Intrusive inquiry of the patient’s sex life
  • Unsolicited sexual advice
  • Non-essential medical procedures
  • Prolonged medical examinations
  • Unchaperoned medical examinations
  • Mole and scoliosis checkups in order to grope patients
  • Oral contact with patients’ genitalia
  • Forcible touching, fondling, and groping
  • Digital rape

In January 2023, Hadden was convicted on four of the six charges handed down in 2020.

In lawsuits led by The DiPietro Law Firm, Columbia University Irving Medical Center and New York Presbyterian Hospital settled with 79 of Hadden’s former female patients for almost $71.5 million in December 2021.

In October 2022, The DiPietro Law Firm achieved another settlement for 147 victims totaling $165 million.

What Is Currently Happening With the Dr. Hadden Lawsuit?

Robert Hadden’s federal trial began Monday, January 9, 2023, for six counts of enticing and inducing victims, which included two pregnant women and a minor.

The federal court convicted him for four of the six counts on January 24, 2023.

Each of the federal charges carries a maximum sentence of 20 years.

Robert Hadden faces life in prison.

Hadden’s victims and federal prosecutors appealed for his detention while waiting for his sentencing on April 25.

Manhattan judge Richard Berman sided with them, ordering the despicable doctor remanded into custody on February 1, 2023.

The civil litigation against the institutions that enabled Robert Hadden continues under the newly enacted Adult Survivor’s Act.

If you or a loved one experienced sexual misconduct, abuse, or assault by Robert Hadden, you are eligible to file a confidential or anonymous claim.

Contact The DiPietro Law Firm for more information and assistance.

We’re here to help.

What Is the New York Adult Survivors Act?

Lawsuits filed against Columbia and its affiliates for Robert Hadden’s sexual abuse were instrumental in the passing the New York Adult Survivors Act.

This legislation extended the statute of limitations for filing a civil lawsuit in cases of sexual assault.

Signed into law in May 2022, the New York Adult Survivors Act allows victims to file lawsuits against their abusers regardless of when the sexual abuse occurred.

The “look back window” is from November 24, 2022, to November 24, 2023.

How Can You File a Legal Case Against Dr. Hadden?

Robert Hadden is a prime example of a powerful and influential authority figure hiding behind his white coat to take advantage of vulnerable patients.

His case serves as a reminder that no one is above the law, not even esteemed doctors of prestigious medical institutions.

All patients should be aware that there are laws in place to protect them from possible sexual abuse by medical providers.

If you have been a victim of Dr. Hadden or any other medical professional, here are some steps you can take.

Speak With a Reliable Sexual Abuse Attorney

The help of an experienced sexual abuse lawyer is invaluable to sexual abuse survivors seeking justice.

A sexual harassment lawyer will provide expert legal advice, represent you in court, and help you seek financial compensation for your suffering.

The DiPietro Law Firm has been leading the fight against Columbia and Robert Hadden since the beginning.

Gather Evidence and Testimonials

Document anything that you may have related to the assault, including any photos, videos, voice recordings, medical records, and police reports.

The DiPietro Law Firm is staff with legal experts and advocates for victims of sexual abuse.

Our trauma-informed approach guarantees complete confidentiality and anonymity.

Build Your Case with Your Attorney and Prepare for the Lawsuit

Your sexual abuse lawyer will use the evidence you have gathered, and they have helped you gather, to build a case against the parties responsible.

They will also guide and prepare you for the legal process.

A lawsuit can be an intimidating and overwhelming experience, but having solid legal representation and the backing of a staff that cares about you can make all the difference.

Schedule a Free Consultation With The DiPietro Law Firm

Robert Hadden will likely spend the rest of his life behind bars, but The DiPietro Law Firm will not stop until justice is served to all parties responsible for the crimes that occurred.

For the past decade, The DiPietro Law Firm has been leading the fight against Columbia University and its affiliates.

If you have been a victim of Robert Hadden, you are eligible to file a legal claim.

We offer free, no obligation, 100 percent confidential consultations. 

We are here to support you throughout this process.

Together, we can do our part to ensure that abusers like Robert Hadden are never allowed to serve in a position of medical authority again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Discussion & Real-time Updates

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Somebody who sexually assaults patients under the guise of medical care DOES NOT deserve salutations.

Robert Hadden is not a doctor. Robert Hadden is a convicted sexual felon and is facing life in prison for the crimes he committed.

The only reason the DiPietro Law Firm uses “Dr. Robert Hadden” in some of our content is so that victims are able to find us when searching for help.

Do You
Have A Case?

Here, at The DiPietro Law Firm, we’re committed to helping victims of sexual abuse and assault find the justice they deserve.

All information discussed during our consultations always remains completely 100% confidential.

Would you like our help?

About Anthony T. DiPietro

Founder Anthony T. DiPietro, Esq. is a compassionate and skilled trial attorney who has completely dedicated the past 23 years of his career to litigating medical malpractice and sexual abuse cases against major corporate institutions including hospitals, medical clinics, schools, and other wrongdoers.

Mr. DiPietro has also obtained some of New York State’s highest verdicts and settlements, and has been selected to New York State Super Lawyers® each year, for the past 10 years in a row.

In 2022, Mr. DiPietro was selected as one of America’s Top 100 High-Stakes Litigators for the landmark cases he’s won on behalf of survivors of sexual exploitation and abuse.

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Do You
Have A Case?

Here, at The DiPietro Law Firm, we’re committed to helping victims of sexual abuse and assault find the justice they deserve.

All information discussed during our consultations always remains completely 100% confidential.

Would you like our help?

Related Articles

Hospitals Enable Predators Like Robert Hadden via Loophole

Hospitals Enable Predators Like Dr. Robert Hadden via Loophole

Laws in the State of New York have been put into place with the aim of protecting patients from the misconduct and sexual abuse of doctors, physicians and other medical personnel. Unfortunately, many of these laws are not enforced (or enforceable) to the length at which patient safety and moral accountability requires them to be.

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Cases We're Currently Litigating

Years of Abuse:  1987 – 2016

Brief: 

Robert Hadden, a disgraced Obstetrician-Gynecologist (OB/GYN) who worked for Columbia University and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, was criminally convicted in 2016 of sexually exploiting and abusing patients under the guise of medical care.

Hadden used his position of authority and trust to sexually exploit women and girls for nearly three decades as a Columbia University physician.

All the while, Columbia University and New York-Presbyterian Hospital administrators turned their backs and ignored reports of Hadden’s abuse, gaslighting patients and the public.

Read More:

Years of Abuse:  1979 – 2022

Brief: 

David H. Broadbent is a former OB/GYN under criminal investigation and facing civil lawsuits for sexual abuse of patients.

Broadent worked at multiple medical facilities in the Provo, Orem and Salt Lake City, UT areas.

These facilities included Intermountain Healthcare’s Utah Valley Hospital, MountainStar Healthcare’s Timpanogos Hospital, other Utah health care providers, and he also had adverse action taken against his medical license back in 1990.

Read More:

Years of Abuse:  1961 – 1996

Brief: 

22 predator teachers and administrators, over the course of 35 years.

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If you have any questions about whether or not you have a case, or just want to obtain more information about what you’ve experienced – feel free to contact us through our secure website chat.

You can also contact us by calling us at (212) 233-3600 or toll free at (800) 215-1003.

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