Columbia University will pay over $1 billion total for enabling serial sexual abuser Robert Hadden to prey on gynecological patients for decades before his criminal conviction.
Key Takeaways
- Columbia University and affiliated NYC hospitals have agreed to a $756 million settlement with 576 victims of former gynecologist Robert Hadden, averaging $1.3 million per victim.
- Hadden was sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2023 for sexually abusing patients over multiple decades while working at Columbia-affiliated medical facilities.
- Combined with previous settlements, Columbia’s total payouts for Hadden’s abuse now exceed $1 billion, highlighting the institution’s failure to protect patients.
- Columbia has established a $100 million victims fund and launched an external investigation into the institutional failures that enabled the abuse.
- Victims and their attorneys emphasize the settlement represents accountability for Columbia’s role in enabling and covering up Hadden’s extensive abuse.
Record-Breaking Settlement for Decades of Abuse
Columbia University and affiliated New York-Presbyterian hospitals have reached a $756 million settlement with 576 victims of Robert Hadden, the former gynecologist convicted of sexually abusing patients throughout his career. The settlement, approved in the Manhattan Supreme Court, provides an average of $1.3 million per victim and represents one of the largest settlements ever for institutional enablement of sexual abuse. This latest financial agreement brings Columbia’s total payouts related to Hadden’s crimes to more than $1 billion when combined with previous settlements totaling $277 million.
“Columbia University has agreed to a record-breaking $750 million settlement with 576 victims of disgraced gynecologist Robert Hadden, who was convicted of sexually abusing patients,” said Laurie Maldonando, a victim
Institutional Failure and Accountability
The massive settlement highlights the catastrophic institutional failures that allowed Hadden to continue practicing medicine while abusing patients for decades. Despite numerous complaints about his behavior, Columbia University and its affiliated hospitals failed to take appropriate action to protect patients from a predator operating within their facilities. Hadden worked at various hospitals associated with Columbia University and New York-Presbyterian, using his position of authority and trust to victimize vulnerable patients seeking medical care.
“Victim Laurie Maldonando stated that the settlement is about accountability, emphasizing that Columbia enabled the abuse and has now been forced to confront the truth.” – Laurie Maldonando, victim
Criminal Consequences and Institutional Response
Hadden was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison in 2023 for his crimes, marking a belated measure of justice for his victims. In the aftermath of the scandal, Columbia has established a $100 million victims fund and launched an external investigation into how the abuses continued for so long without intervention. A university spokesperson expressed regret for the victims’ suffering and acknowledged the need for ongoing support for survivors, but critics argue these actions come far too late for the hundreds of women who suffered avoidable trauma.
“Attorney Anthony T. DiPietro, who has represented Hadden’s victims since 2012, noted that Columbia prioritized its reputation over patient safety for too long,” said Anthony T. DiPietro, attorney
Broader Implications for Institutional Accountability
The landmark settlement represents a significant shift in holding prestigious institutions accountable for enabling and covering up abuse. For years, Columbia University allegedly prioritized its reputation and financial interests over patient safety, allowing a sexual predator to continue practicing medicine despite multiple red flags. This case stands as a stark reminder of how elite institutions can fail their most vulnerable constituents when they value prestige and financial considerations above their moral and ethical responsibilities to protect those under their care.
