Columbia University was forced to pay a staggering $756 million settlement to 576 sexual abuse victims after decades of covering up gynecologist Robert Hadden’s predatory behavior.
Key Takeaways
- Columbia University and New York-Presbyterian Hospital agreed to a $756 million settlement with 576 victims of gynecologist Robert Hadden, averaging $1.3 million per case.
- Hadden is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence following his 2023 conviction for sexually abusing patients over decades.
- This latest settlement brings Columbia’s total payouts related to Hadden’s abuse to over $1 billion, highlighting the institution’s catastrophic failure to protect patients.
- Columbia has established a $100 million victims fund and launched an external investigation after years of allegedly prioritizing its reputation over patient safety.
- Victims emphasize the settlement represents accountability, not just compensation, for an elite institution that enabled and covered up abuse.
Elite Institution Finally Held Accountable for Decades of Cover-Up
Columbia University and an affiliated New York City hospital have been forced to pay a landmark $756 million settlement to hundreds of women who suffered sexual abuse at the hands of gynecologist Robert Hadden. The settlement, approved in the Manhattan Supreme Court, provides compensation to 576 victims, with payments averaging $1.3 million per case. This massive financial penalty comes after years of allegations that these prestigious institutions systematically concealed Hadden’s predatory behavior while he continued to exploit his position of trust to abuse patients at Columbia-affiliated medical facilities.
“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, victim
The settlement represents more than just financial compensation—it marks a long-overdue acknowledgment of institutional negligence and complicity. Hadden, now serving a 20-year prison sentence following his 2023 conviction, was allowed to continue practicing despite numerous complaints about his inappropriate conduct. The abuse occurred over decades at hospitals associated with Columbia University and New York-Presbyterian, places where patients should have received care but instead became victims of a predator operating with apparent institutional protection.
Justice Delayed but Not Denied
This latest settlement brings Columbia’s total financial liability for the Hadden abuse scandal to well over $1 billion when combined with previous settlements totaling $277 million. The staggering figure reflects not only the extensive harm caused to hundreds of women but also the egregious nature of the institutional failure. While Columbia has now taken steps to address this failure, including establishing a $100 million victims fund and launching an external investigation, these actions come far too late for the women who suffered abuse that could have been prevented had the institution acted responsibly.
The case highlights a disturbing pattern seen in elite institutions that prioritize reputation management over public safety. A university spokesperson has now expressed regret for the victims’ suffering and acknowledged the need for ongoing support for survivors, statements that ring hollow to many victims who reported abuse only to be ignored or dismissed. Columbia’s belated acknowledgment comes only after being forced into accountability through legal action, raising questions about whether similar institutional failures continue to endanger patients elsewhere.
A Warning to Institutions That Protect Predators
Attorney Anthony DiPietro, who has represented Hadden’s victims since 2012, has been unflinching in his assessment of Columbia’s role in enabling the abuse. The settlement represents a significant victory not only for the victims but also as a deterrent to other institutions that might be tempted to conceal similar misconduct. DiPietro’s tireless advocacy has brought to light how institutions with vast resources can use their power and influence to suppress allegations and protect themselves at the expense of vulnerable individuals.
“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
The Hadden case demonstrates the critical importance of listening to victims and taking immediate action when allegations of misconduct arise, particularly in medical settings where patients are inherently vulnerable. Instead of acting as guardians of patient safety, Columbia University and its affiliated hospital apparently functioned as guardians of their own reputation and financial interests. This settlement, while substantial, cannot erase the trauma experienced by hundreds of women who placed their trust in a healthcare system that catastrophically failed them.
