Columbia University will pay $756 million to 576 victims of serial sex offender Robert Hadden after decades of willful blindness enabled the gynecologist’s predatory abuse of women under their care.
Key Takeaways
- Columbia University and New York-Presbyterian have agreed to pay $756 million to settle claims from 576 victims of former gynecologist Robert Hadden, averaging $1.3 million per case.
- Robert Hadden was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison in 2023 after being convicted of sexually abusing countless patients during examinations.
- Columbia’s total financial liability for the Hadden scandal now exceeds $1 billion when including previous settlements of $277 million.
- The university established a $100 million victims fund and launched an external investigation, finally acknowledging its institutional failure to protect patients.
- Victims and their attorneys emphasize this settlement represents accountability for Columbia’s role in enabling and covering up decades of systematic sexual abuse.
Landmark Settlement Reached After Decades of Institutional Neglect
Columbia University has finalized a record-breaking $756 million settlement with 576 victims of disgraced gynecologist Robert Hadden, who systematically sexually abused patients over decades while working at university-affiliated facilities. 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 reached in a sexual abuse case involving a medical institution. This massive payout underscores the catastrophic institutional failures that allowed a predator to operate unchecked for years within one of America’s most prestigious medical systems.
“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 Maldonado, a Victim.
Justice for Hadden’s Victims After Lengthy Legal Battle
Robert Hadden, once a trusted physician at facilities associated with Columbia University and New York-Presbyterian, was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison in 2023 for his crimes. The settlement comes after years of legal battles during which victims repeatedly accused Columbia of prioritizing its institutional reputation over patient safety. The financial impact on Columbia has been staggering, as this settlement pushes the total payouts related to Hadden’s abuse beyond $1 billion when accounting for previous settlements totaling $277 million with other victims.
“Victim Laurie Maldonado stated that the settlement is about accountability, emphasizing that Columbia enabled the abuse and has now been forced to confront the truth,” said Laurie Maldonado, a Victim
Columbia’s Belated Accountability Measures
In response to the scandal, Columbia has established a $100 million victims fund and initiated an external investigation into how Hadden’s abuse continued unabated for so long despite numerous complaints and warning signs. A university spokesperson expressed regret for the victims’ suffering and acknowledged the need for ongoing support for survivors. However, for many victims, these measures come far too late after enduring years of trauma while the university allegedly worked to suppress complaints and shield itself from liability.
“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
Pattern of Elitist Institutional Protection
The Hadden case represents another disturbing example of how elite institutions often protect themselves at the expense of vulnerable individuals. Columbia University, with its prestigious reputation and considerable resources, allegedly enabled Hadden’s predatory behavior through negligent oversight and potential cover-ups. Attorney Anthony DiPietro, who has represented Hadden’s victims since 2012, has consistently stressed the importance of holding powerful institutions accountable for exploiting their position of trust. This settlement marks a significant step toward accountability, though the psychological damage inflicted on hundreds of women can never be fully remedied.
