Home » How Did Columbia University Settle with Dr. Robert Hadden’s Victims?
Dr. Robert Hadden, a former Columbia University gynecologist, has been criminally convicted of sexually abusing patients, including multiple minors, during his employment from 1993 to 2012.
Despite several reports submitted to Columbia administrators over the years, victims of Hadden’s sexual abuse were left to cope with the trauma while also struggling to find justice in a system that often fails survivors of sexual assault.
To date, Columbia University has agreed to two (2) major settlements with the victims of Dr. Robert Hadden’s sexual abuse, totalling over $236 million:
In December 2021, Columbia University agreed to a $71.5 million settlement with 79 former patients of Robert Hadden.
In October 2022, Columbia agreed to a further $165 million settlement with 147 former patients.
The DiPietro Law Firm lead the civil lawsuits against Columbia University for Dr. Hadden’s sexual abuse, and we are filing another round of lawsuits against Robert Hadden, other doctors, and Columbia University under the New York Adult Survivors Act.
If you or a loved one experienced sexual abuse, sexual assault, or any form of sexual misconduct during an appointment with Robert Hadden, you are eligible to file a claim.
Contact us for a free consultation. All inquiries are guaranteed 100% confidentiality.
Here is a brief outline of the significant events in the criminal and civil cases against Robert Hadden and Columbia University:
Hadden’s former patients sought professional medical care, placing trust and confidence in him and Columbia University’s medical system.
Hadden’s victims trusted the respected medical institutions he worked for, but they routinely covered up the doctor’s abuse and enabled him to continue abusing women for decades.
The Columbia University Irving Medical Center and New York Presbyterian Hospital employed Dr. Robert Hadden for over two decades and covered-up his rampant abuse.
As a result, both institutions were held accountable for hiring and retaining the convicted sex criminal and agreed to pay over $236 million to victims so far.
It is shocking and unbelievable how powerful institutions like Columbia University will go the extra mile to defend and enable a serial sexual predator.
The institutions that employed Hadden knew that he sexually abused patients years before the first public reports came to light — turning a blind eye and allowing him to continue practicing.
Worse, Columbia University had an active hand in enabling the serial sexual predator instead of believing and protecting victims.
The prestigious university failed to take any disciplinary action against Robert Hadden despite several complaints against him.
They actively ignored reports against the criminal doctor and even covered up the incidents.
Hadden’s connection with top-ranking Columbia University administrators allowed him to remain untouchable.
The university failed to conduct meaningful investigations into the doctor’s predatory behavior.
Instead, they attempted to contain the situation by preventing victims from going to the authorities.
Uncovered by The DiPietro Law Firm years ago, the “Catch and Kill” scheme orchestrated by Columbia University entailed their legal team offering hush money settlements, contingent on the signing of a non-disclosure agreement, to prevent them from speaking out and filing suit.
Columbia University has a history of ignoring Hadden’s behavior and protecting their reputation instead of acting in the victims’ best interests.
In 2013, instead of informing Hadden’s patients that he was under investigation for sexual assault of a patient, the institution sent out a “Dear Patient” letter informing them that Hadden was closing his practice and they could continue care with another “trusted” Columbia University doctor.
Moreover, when Robert Hadden was convicted in 2016, the New York State Office of Professional Medical Conduct (OPMC) mandated that all Hadden’s patients be notified that he had lost his medical license.
Exploiting a loophole in the OPMC’s mandate, the university refused to do so and claimed that it was Hadden’s responsibility.
Despite having the proven ability to send out letters en masse to all of Hadden’s patients and the fact that it is problematic to give a convicted sex criminal all of his former patients’ addresses and contact information, the University has argued that it is Hadden’s responsibility to send out the mandated notices.
The multimillion-dollar settlements between Columbia University and Robert Hadden’s victims are among the largest settlements ever recovered from an Ivy League institution.
The university agreed to a $71.5 million settlement with 79 of Hadden’s victims in December 2021.
An additional settlement of $165 million with 147 more victims soon followed in October 2022.
NYC lawyer Anthony DiPietro from The DiPietro Law Firm represented the victims in both cases.
The total settlement amount is nearly $240 million, setting records as some of the highest settlements ever recovered from a sexual misconduct case.
Settlements have also contained assurances from Columbia University that they have taken steps to prevent sexual assault in its healthcare facilities.
These settlements are only the first two in the Robert Hadden Sexual Abuse Lawsuit.
Under the New York Adult Survivors Act, our law firm is filing a new round of lawsuits against Columbia University and its affiliates.
Contact us for more information.
Sexual abuse, assault, violence, and any other form of sexual misconduct can have severe long-term impacts on victims and their families.
Aside from psychological trauma, victims often suffer physical and emotional problems because of what happened.
Victims of sexual assault may be able to receive compensation in a lawsuit, including:
For the past ten years, The DiPietro Law Firm has been filing lawsuits against Robert Hadden and Columbia University.
Our founder Anthony T. DiPietro has been leading the charge in helping Hadden’s sexual abuse victims receive the justice and compensation they deserve.
The nearly $240 million in settlements we have secured from Columbia University sends a clear message to institutions and healthcare providers that they must act responsibly and protect their patients or face serious consequences.
This is just the beginning of our fight against Robert Hadden and Columbia University, and we will continue to hold them accountable and fight for the rights of women.
If you are a victim of Robert Hadden’s abuse, know that you are not alone, and we are here to help.
The DiPietro Law Firm is committed to fighting for your rights and ensuring justice is served.
We provide a free and no-obligation consultation with Anthony T. DiPietro to help you understand your legal rights and options.
Rest assured that we’ll treat your case with the utmost respect and confidentiality.
Contact us today for a free, confidential, and no-obligation consultation.
We’re currently investigating this case and many other cases involving serial sexual predators.
As more information becomes available on our cases, we will share it on the The DiPietro Law Firm Twitter account (@atdipietro).
If you’re a survivor of sexual exploitation and abuse, please contact our Free Consultation Helpline for a 100% confidential and free consultation about your case at (212) 233-3600.
You’re not alone anymore.
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.
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?
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.
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?
Admitted in NY, PA,
CA (pro hac vice), UT (pending)
Did you or a loved one ever have an appointment with Robert Hadden? You are likely eligible to file a lawsuit and seek compensation
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.
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: 1990 – 2016
Read More: University of Southern California & Predator George Tyndall
Years of Abuse: 1961 – 1996
Brief:
22 predator teachers and administrators, over the course of 35 years.
Years of Abuse: 1960 – 1982
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.
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