For decades, Robert Hadden, M.D., sexually assaulted women while working at the prestigious Columbia University Hospital. Learn more about this lawsuit, the victims, and settlements. Hospital and health care sexual abuse may be more common than you realize.
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THE DR. ROBERT HADDEN LAWSUIT
Two women filed lawsuits against Dr. Hadden in Manhattan Supreme Court in June 2013. They alleged that the former New York-Presbyterian Columbia Hospital gynecologist sexually assaulted them during their medical examinations.
One of the plaintiffs filed a police report against Hadden in June 2012. The police briefly detained Hadden, but no criminal charges were pressed.
Two women filed lawsuits against Dr. Hadden in Manhattan Supreme Court in June 2013. They alleged that the former New York-Presbyterian Columbia Hospital gynecologist sexually assaulted them during their medical examinations.
One of the plaintiffs filed a police report against Hadden in June 2012. The police briefly detained Hadden, but no criminal charges were pressed.
In the decade since the first police report against Hadden, the cases around the gynecologist’s sexual assault have witnessed substantial development. The New York State Court convicted Hadden in 2016, and he pled guilty to a third-degree criminal sex act and forcible touching. He now awaits a federal court trial on eight criminal charges of bringing six women, including a minor, across state lines with the intent of sexual abuse.
A recently unsealed federal indictment claims that Hadden sexually assaulted countless female patients over more than 20 years. These assaults are estimated to have occurred between 1993 and 2012, but some unknown attacks may have happened before 1993.
The Columbia University Irving Medical Center and NewYork-Presbyterian recently reached a $165 million agreement with 147 of Hadden’s previous patients. The current resolution follows a similar settlement outcome seen in 2021 for $71.5 million and distributed among 79 of the former gynecologist’s past patients.
If Hadden sexually assaulted you, you could join the women who have stood up against sexual assault. A $165 million settlement has been set aside by Columbia University and New York Presbyterian. It will be distributed to the women who alleged sexual abuse by former gynecologist Robert Hadden.
However, Columbia University’s administration has failed to notify thousands of patients about Hadden’s history of abuse.
If you are a victim of Dr. Hadden, contact the New York sex abuse attorneys at Herman Law to join the class action complaint we have filed, as you may be eligible for substantial compensation.
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We all trust that our doctors will act in the best interests of our physical and mental health. But what happens when a physician breaks that trust?Â
A recently unsealed federal indictment claims that Robert Hadden, M.D., a gynecologist from the prestigious Columbia University Hospital, sexually assaulted countless female patients over more than 20 years. The assaults happened between 1993 and 2012, although other attacks may have occurred before 1993 that haven’t been reported.Â
Fortunately, Dr. Hadden stopped practicing medicine in August 2012.
In 2016 Hadden pled guilty in New York State Court to a third-degree criminal sex act and forcible touching. He’s now waiting for a federal court trial on eight criminal charges of bringing six women, including a minor, across state lines with the intent of sexual abuse.
The Columbia University Irving Medical Center and New York-Presbyterian, where Hadden also practiced, recently reached a $165 million agreement with 147 of Hadden’s previous patients. This follows a similar settlement outcome in 2021 for $71.5 million that was distributed among 79 of the former gynecologist’s past patients.
Victims of Dr. Hadden between 1993 and 2012 may not have come forward with accusations for many reasons; they may fear retaliation or social repercussions, they may want to avoid revealing their assault in public, or they may worry that it’s already too late to file legal action.Â
While it’s true that victims of sexual abuse only have a limited amount of time to file legal action against their abuser, the New York Adult Survivors Act offers a one-year window for survivors of sexual violence to prosecute their perpetrators and employers, regardless of an expired statute of limitations. The window opens six months after the Adult Survivors Act’s effective date and stays open for one year. This gives survivors time to take advantage of this unique opportunity and take action to file their legal claims.Â
This window opens on Nov. 24, 2022 and closes on Nov. 24, 2023.Â
If Hadden sexually assaulted you, but the statute of limitations prevented you from pressing charges, the Adult Survivors Act offers an opportunity for you to join the women who have spoken out against Hadden’s gross sexual misconduct. More than 200 women have alleged that Dr. Hadden sexually assaulted them during a medical examination. Together with last year’s settlement, 228 women have already received settlement money.Â
In the aftermath of a sexual assault, you may not be able to think clearly or focus on filing a sexual abuse claim on your own. That’s why you need a compassionate and objective law firm that specializes in sexual abuse litigation to manage the legal complexities of a lawsuit.
If you are a former gynecological patient of Dr. Hadden, and he exhibited sexual misconduct during your examinations, you may be eligible to receive significant damages. Contact the team at Herman Law to get the justice you deserve.Â
Our team of dedicated sexual assault attorneys is well-versed in claims against hospitals and healthcare providers. We focus exclusively on representing those who suffered sexual abuse nationwide. Visit us online at HermanLaw.com or call us at 1 888 – 294 – 1336.
Dr. Robert Hadden is a former gynecologist at Columbia University Hospitals charged with sexually abusing patients from 1993 until at least 2012, when he stopped practicing medicine. He has been indicted on a charge of alleged criminal sex acts and, in January 2023, was convicted of federal sex trafficking charges.
Dr. Robert Hadden worked at Columbia University Irving Medical Center and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, two prestigious Manhattan hospitals. They have since condemned his behavior and reached settlements with some of his former patients.
The New York Adult Survivors Act offers a one-year window for survivors of sexual violence to prosecute their perpetrators and employers regardless of an expired statute of limitations. offers a one-year window for survivors of sexual violence to prosecute their perpetrators and employers. This window opened on Nov 24, 2022, and closes on Nov 24, 2023.
Passage of the New York Adult Survivors Act
The New York Adult Survivors Act offers a one-year window for survivors of sexual violence to prosecute their perpetrators and employers. Victims of sexual abuse have only a limited amount of time to file legal action against their abuser before the statute of limitations runs out. The Adult Survivors Act grants survivors a one-year window to file legal claims, regardless of an expired statute of limitations.
Advocates of the Adult Survivors Act say that victims need time to process their sexual assault, fear, and trauma. Many victims fail to report sexual violence or even sexual harassment for fear of retaliation or social repercussions. Some may not even realize the incident qualifies as sexual assault until years after.
The window opens six months after the Adult Survivors Act’s effective date and stays open for one year. This gives survivors time to process the opportunity and take action to file their legal claims. The window opens on Nov. 24, 2022, and closes on Nov. 24, 2023.
Additionally, in 2019 the New York Legislature extended the statute of limitations for lawsuits pertaining to sex crimes. While that law was not issued retroactively, the Adult Survivors Act’s one-year window allows previous survivors to claim justice against their abusers.
The Adult Survivors Act and the Dr. Robert Hadden Lawsuit
If Hadden sexually assaulted you, but the statute of limitations previously kept you time-barred from pressing charges, the Adult Survivors Act offers an opportunity. Over the next year, you can join the women who have spoken out against Hadden’s gross sexual misconduct and sexual assault against his former female patients.
If you are a former gynecological patient of Hadden, and he exhibited sexual misconduct during your examinations, you may be eligible to receive significant damages. Our team of professional sexual assault attorneys is well-versed in claims against hospitals and healthcare providers, including claims against Dr. Hadden. We can help you with your legal claim.
Hadden was licensed to practice medicine in New York. Shortly after his licensing, he began practicing gynecology at Columbia University Medical Center and affiliated hospitals.
1993-2012
1993-2012
Hadden’s sexual abuses are estimated to occur during this window, although some cases may have arisen earlier.
Police arrest Hadden in 2012 after a former patient told police Hadden sexually assaulted her during a gynecological exam.
In August 2012, Hadden stopped practicing medicine.
2014
2014
Hadden was indicted on a charge of alleged criminal sex acts.
2016
2016
Hadden pled guilty to a third-degree criminal sex act and forcible touching. He was forced to surrender his medical license but received no prison time.
2020
2020
Hadden was indicted on six counts of enticing and inducing victims to travel interstate to his offices in New York with the intent to abuse them sexually. The victims included five adults and one minor.
In July, Hadden pled not guilty.
2021
2021
Columbia University Irving Medical Center and NewYork Presbyterian Hospital reached a $71.5 million settlement with 79 of Hadden’s former patients.
2022
2022
In May, New York’s Adult Survivors Act was signed into law.
In October, Columbia University Irving Medical Center and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital reached a $165 million agreement with 147 of Hadden’s former patients.
On Nov. 24, the Adult Survivors Act’s one-year look-back window opens to pursue civil action against those who committed a sexual offense.
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The numerous sexual assaults have affected countless women in New York and the surrounding states who have yet to come forward. You might have been a victim if you were a gynecological patient at Columbia University between the early 1990s and 2012. A conversation with a sexual assault lawyer can help you determine your eligibility.