How Did Columbia University Settle With Dr. Robert Hadden's Victims?

Columbia University Settlement with 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.

How Did Columbia University Settle with Dr. Robert Hadden's Victims?; Columbia University Settlement, Dr Robert Hadden Lawsuit, Robert Hadden Sexual Abuse Lawsuit

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.

Table of Contents

Dr. Robert Hadden Sexual Abuse Lawsuit: What Happened?

Here is a brief outline of the significant events in the criminal and civil cases against Robert Hadden and Columbia University:

Dr. Robert Hadden Begins Practicing in 1991

  • In 1991, Dr. Robert Hadden started practicing in prestigious Manhattan hospitals and affiliated medical offices, including Columbia University Irving Medical Center and the New York-Presbyterian Hospital.
  • He was also an Assistant Clinical Professor of OB-GYN at the Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons.

June 2012

  • In June 2012, the first public reports of sexual abuse by Dr. Robert Hadden surfaced.
  • A female patient complained to the authorities about how the despicable doctor licked her private parts during a medical exam. However, he wasn’t charged due to inadequate evidence.
  • Hadden was then put under criminal investigation for sexually abusing his patients.
  • Shortly after, Robert Hadden stopped practicing in New York in August 2012.

June 2014

  • The Manhattan Supreme Court indicted Robert Hadden on six counts of sexual misconduct in June 2014.

Hadden Pleads Guilty in 2016

  • In 2016, Robert Hadden pleaded guilty to two of the nine charges against him.
  • However, the New York State Court did not sentence him to any prison time and only made him register as a sex offender.
  • Hadden’s plea bargain with the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office also resulted in him voluntarily surrendering his medical license.

January 2020

  • In January 2020, CNN interviewed Evelyn Yang, the wife of former presidential candidate Andrew Yang who also ran for New York City mayor in 2022.
  • She recounted how Hadden sexually assaulted her when she was pregnant in 2012.

September 2020

  • Robert Hadden was indicted again in September 2020.
  • This time his arrest was for six charges of enticing and inducing victims to cross state lines under the guise of medical care.
  • He then proceeded to assault those female patients, including multiple minors, while pretending to medically examine them.

US Department of Justice Publishes Press Release Regarding Predator Robert Hadden

  • The US Department of Justice also published a press release regarding the predatory doctor.
  • Federal prosecutors stated that Hadden used his power to sexually assault patient after patient from 1993 to 2012, having cruelly lured women to his office and sexually assaulted them under the guise of medical care.

Columbia University Agrees to 2 Major Settlements with Hadden’s Victims, Totalling Nearly $240 Million

  • The Columbia University Irving Medical Center and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital agreed to settle the civil claims with 79 of Robert Hadden’s victims for $71.5 million in December 2021.
  • Another settlement was made in October 2022 for an additional $165 million with 147 more victims of Hadden’s abuse.

January 24th, 2023 – Hadden Found Guilty

  • On January 24, 2023, Hadden was convicted of federal sex trafficking charges and faces life in prison.
  • The federal court found Hadden guilty of four of the six federal charges, each carrying a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
  • While waiting for Hadden’s sentencing on April 25, both past victims and federal prosecutors requested for Hadden to be detained.
  • On February 1, 2023, New York Judge Richard Berman agreed to their request and ordered Hadden to be held in custody until his sentencing.

Robert Hadden Sexually Abused Women and Columbia Allowed it to Happen

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.

Columbia University Enabled Robert Hadden Sexual Abuse

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 Failed to Notify Patients

Columbia University has a history of ignoring Hadden’s behavior and protecting their reputation instead of acting in the victims’ best interests.

Robert Hadden Sexual Abuse Lawsuit

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.

Columbia University Settlements for Dr. Robert Hadden Sexual Abuse

The multimillion-dollar settlements between Columbia University and Robert Hadden’s victims are among the largest settlements ever recovered from an Ivy League institution.

Robert Hadden Sexual Abuse Lawsuit Settlement, The DiPietro Law Firm

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.

What Damages Can Victims Recover in Civil Sexual Abuse Cases?

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:

  • Medical expenses:  Survivors may receive compensation for medical expenses incurred due to physical and psychological injuries sustained from the sexual assault.
  • Lost wages and future income:  Victims may receive reparation for any lost wages and future loss of income and earning capacity because of the sexual assault.
  • Pain and suffering:  This may include physical and emotional distress, such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD.
  • Diminished quality of life:  Victims may receive compensation for any loss of enjoyment of life resulting from the assault.
  • Punitive damages:  These are monetary awards meant to punish the perpetrator and discourage similar behavior in the future.

How Can We Help with the Fight Against Dr. Robert Hadden and Columbia University?

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.

Contact The DiPietro Law Firm for the Dr. Robert Hadden Lawsuit

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.

Robert Hadden Sexual Abuse Lawsuit, Dr Hadden Lawsuit Columbia University

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.

Resources for Sexual Exploitation & Abuse Survivors

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.

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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.

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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?

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Related Articles

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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