For $750 million, Columbia University and its affiliate New York-Presbyterian Hospital in New York City have settled a class action lawsuit with 576 patients who reported sexual abuse or misconduct by a former gynecologist, according to a May 5 news release.
Robert Hadden, MD, worked as an OB-GYN at his Columbia University medical practice and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital in New York City. From 1987 to 2012, he sexually abused hundreds of women and girls under the guise of delivering medical care. Dr. Hadden was arrested in September 2020 and convicted in July 2023 to 20 years in prison.
More than $1 billion has been recovered for survivors of Dr. Hadden’s abuse.
A Columbia spokesperson confirmed the settlement amount and told Becker’s the organization had issued a response plan. The plan, first announced in 2023, includes an external investigation on the circumstances and failures that allowed Dr. Hadden’s abuse, a survivors’ settlement plan, and updated patient safety policies and programs.
Columbia University and Columbia University Irving Medical Center also notified about 6,500 former patients of Dr. Hadden.
“We deeply regret the pain that his patients suffered, and this settlement is another step forward in our ongoing work and commitment to repair harm and support survivors,” the spokesperson said. “We commend the survivors for their bravery in coming forward. “More information about the survivors’ settlement fund and investigation can be found here.
