For almost 25 years, Dr. Robert Hadden worked as an OB-GYN for NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital (NYP) and Columbia University. For that time, he abused his authority to sexually assault hundreds, if not thousands, of girls and women in his care. Ultimately, this led to Dr. Hadden’s criminal conviction on sexual assault charges. Civil litigation against him and the hospitals he worked for has led to more than $1 billion in cumulative settlement payouts.
These Dr. Robert Hadden sexual abuse lawsuits are yet another example of how major healthcare organizations can catastrophically fail to address credible allegations of misconduct filed against doctors by impacted patients. If you were sexually assaulted by Dr. Robert Hadden or by another physician under any other circumstances, the experienced attorneys at Phillips Law Group could help you understand and enforce your right to seek financial restitution.
Dr. Hadden’s History of Violence Against Patients
Between 1987 and 2016, Dr. Robert Hadden conducted more than 30,000 patient visits within the NYP Hospital system and at Columbia University, including women who were pregnant or had recently given birth, as well as minors. Among his victims were women and girls he had delivered as babies. Criminal and civil sexual abuse filings against Dr. Hadden have revealed that he strategically groomed and targeted patients to convince them to come in for unnecessary examinations. These often involved unwanted sexual comments, digital penetration, and sometimes assaults so severe that patients called 911 afterwards to report Dr. Hadden to the police.
Dr. Hadden was first indicted on sexual assault charges in the state of New York in 2012. However, a plea bargain in 2016 allowed him to avoid jail time and registration as a sex offender in exchange for surrendering his medical license and pleading guilty to low-level felony and misdemeanor charges. Fortunately, the #MeToo movement drew further public attention to Dr. Hadden’s abuse, and a federal indictment in 2020 led to his conviction on four counts of sexual assault, each carrying a maximum jail sentence of 20 years.
Why Were Hospital and University Administrators Held Liable for Dr. Hadden’s Assaults?
There is substantial evidence indicating that NYP and Columbia University not only failed to stop Dr. Hadden’s abuse but also actively enabled it in many ways. After spending many years ignoring reports of abuse filed against Dr. Hadden by patients, Columbia’s administration followed a policy of directing new reporters towards the University’s legal team instead of local law enforcement. The University’s attorneys pressured those individuals into signing non-disclosure agreements and accepting small monetary settlements, while Dr. Hadden was shuffled between clinics to conceal his misconduct.
Ultimately, this led to Columbia University settling almost 600 lawsuits related to Dr. Robert Hadden’s sexual abuse for $750 million in May 2025. This brought the total amount that Columbia has paid out for claims against Dr. Hadden to more than $1 billion. However, no Columbia administrators have been dismissed from the University or have voluntarily resigned over their actions, despite Columbia’s official acknowledgment of their failure to protect students.
Contact Phillips Law Group Today About Sexual Abuse Lawsuits Against Dr. Robert Hadden
OB-GYNs must meet a uniquely high standard of care when treating their patients, striking a balance between medical efficacy and human dignity. The story of Dr. Robert Hadden illustrates just how comprehensively some physicians choose to violate that standard. Financial compensation alone cannot possibly make up for being subjected to abuse of this nature, but it could still be key to maximizing an abuse victim’s quality of life despite the harm they have unjustly experienced.
The compassionate legal team at Phillips Law Group could support you in enforcing your right to civil recovery. Call today for more information about Dr. Robert Hadden sexual abuse lawsuits or about taking similar legal action against other abusive physicians.
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