Dr. Robert Hadden & Columbia University Abuse
For more than two decades, Dr. Robert Hadden, a former OB-GYN at the NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center, used routine gynecological exams as a means of sexually abusing hundreds of patients, including pregnant women and teenagers.
Multiple patients reported inappropriate touching during exams, but these concerns were minimized or dismissed. Nurses and clinic staff who witnessed troubling behavior were allegedly told to stay silent, and complaints were handled informally.
Columbia University reportedly received complaints from patients about Dr. Hadden's conduct as early as 1994 — but they allowed him to continue practicing for 18 years until his arrest in 2012.
After Hadden’s arrest, Columbia University waited until 2023 to notify the 6,500 patients he had treated over the years. For many survivors, the deeper injury came not only from Hadden’s actions but from Columbia’s failure to act.
To date, Robert Hadden settlements have awarded over $1 Billion to survivors. If you were harmed, you may be eligible for compensation too. Sokolove Law is here to fight hard for everything you deserve.
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Our sexual abuse lawyers may be able to help you seek justice from a Dr. Robert Hadden lawsuit. Get started now with a free case review.
What Did Robert Hadden Do?
Dr. Robert Hadden is accused of using his role as an OB-GYN at the prestigious Columbia University Medical Center to sexually assault patients. He practiced from about 1987 to 2012, treating women during pregnancy, infertility care, and routine gynecological exams.
Patients reported that Hadden would isolate them in exam rooms, perform unnecessary procedures, and exploit the privacy of medical settings to disguise sexual abuse. Many survivors recall being confused, unsure of whether what they experienced was “normal” or medically required.
Medical sexual assault lawsuits against Robert Hadden MD claim that he:
- Conducted unnecessary and invasive breast and pelvic exams
- Made inappropriate and sexualized comments during appointments
- Performed exams without gloves, ignoring medical standards
- Targeted vulnerable patients, including minors and pregnant women
- Touched patients’ genitals without medical justification
Investigations later revealed that his behavior was not an isolated lapse but a repeated pattern potentially affecting as many as 6,500 patients over decades.
Some women described being assaulted while pregnant or immediately postpartum, and others were minors at the time. His actions eventually led to criminal charges, a federal conviction, and extensive civil litigation against both Hadden and Columbia.
“Columbia University enabled sadistic abuse, and now, they’ve been forced to face the truth. We hope this sends a clear message to every institution: survivors will not be silenced, and those who protect abusers will be held responsible.”
– Laurie M., Dr. Robert Hadden Sexual Abuse Survivor
Robert Hadden Convicted, Sentenced to 20 Years
Federal prosecutors charged Hadden with enticing and transporting patients across state lines for the purpose of sexual abuse. This strategy allowed the government to pursue charges even though many of the assaults were too old to prosecute under New York law.
During the trial, multiple survivors testified about how Hadden groomed, manipulated, and violated them. Their testimony revealed the extent of his predatory behavior as well as the repeated opportunities Columbia University had to prevent further abuse.
In January 2023, a federal jury found Hadden guilty on all 4 counts related to enticing and transporting patients for sexual abuse. He was later sentenced to 20 years in federal prison, which was the maximum available penalty under the law.
U.S. District Judge Richard M. Berman described Robert Hadden's conduct as “exceptional and unprecedented,” “shocking in the extreme,” “horrific,” and “depraved.”
For many survivors, the federal conviction represented long-overdue public acknowledgment of both Hadden’s actions and the systemic failures that allowed him to continue practicing.
Call (800) 995-1212 now to see if our sexual abuse attorneys may be able to help you hold Robert Hadden and Columbia University accountable.
Columbia University & Robert Hadden Settlements
To date, over $1 Billion in Dr. Robert Hadden sexual abuse settlements have been reached for more than 1,000 survivors of abuse by the former OB/GYN, Columbia University, and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital.
Robert Hadden settlements include:
- $750 Million from Columbia University to resolve claims filed by about 576 women
- $100 Million set aside in a Columbia University settlement fund, open through April 2026
- $165 Million to 147 patients from Columbia and affiliated hospitals
- $71.5 Million from the health care providers to 79 patients
While no amount of money can undue the harm, compensation from a Robert Hadden settlement can help cover medical bills, therapy, and more while allowing you to move toward emotional healing and a brighter future.
$750 Million Robert Hadden Settlement
In May 2025, Columbia University and NewYork‑Presbyterian agreed to pay $750 Million to resolve claims from 576 patients who allege that they suffered sexual abuse by Dr. Hadden.
The average Robert Hadden settlement payout from this latest agreement is around $1.3 Million per survivor, the highest known per-case average in a U.S. sexual abuse lawsuit of this kind, according to estimations.
Individual payout amounts will vary based on each patient's experience, which will be assessed during an independent review process.
After over 13 years of litigation, this landmark Robert Hadden settlement offers many survivors a sense of validation and long-overdue recognition of what they endured.
This settlement is about more than compensation. It's a form of institutional accountability — acknowledging that Columbia failed to protect patients, disregarded repeated warnings, and allowed abuse to continue for years.
$100 Million Dr. Robert Hadden Settlement
In 2023, Columbia University announced the creation of a $100 Million Robert Hadden settlement fund for survivors who were sexually assaulted under the gynecologist's care.
The fund was designed as an alternative to litigation and part of a broader institutional effort to address the misconduct, notify about 6,500 former patients, and offer compensation for survivors who had not yet settled with the university.
Columbia has extended the filing deadline to April 2026, giving survivors additional time to come forward. The existence of the fund underscores both the severity of the abuses and Columbia’s recognition of its responsibility to provide survivors a path to compensation and support.
$165 Million Dr. Robert Hadden Settlement
In 2022, Columbia University's Irving Medical Center and NewYork‑Presbyterian Hospital agreed to pay over $165 Million to resolve claims brought by 147 patients who accused Hadden of sexual abuse while under his care.
The Robert Hadden settlement came 6 years after the OB/GYN pleaded guilty to abusing 19 women. The authorities began investigating Hadden in 2012, after a patient told the police that he had touched her inappropriately during an exam.
The settlement highlights that medical facilities have a legal and ethical duty to protect patients, rigorously investigate misconduct, and remove dangerous practitioners when credible complaints arise.
$71.5 Million Robert Hadden Settlement
In 2021, Columbia University Irving Medical Center and New York‑Presbyterian agreed to pay $71.5 Million to 79 patients who claimed they had been sexually abused by Robert Hadden.
The funding was established as a compensation pool to be distributed under the supervision of an independent special master, rather than as a traditional sexual abuse lawsuit settlement or verdict.
Although it provided financial relief for 79 women, the settlement addressed only a small fraction of the survivors. Columbia and NewYork‑Presbyterian acknowledged that additional claims remained unresolved at the time.
Let Sokolove Law Fight for You
Our sexual abuse lawyers can pursue a sexual abuse settlement on your behalf. Let us put our 45+ years of experience to work for you.
Who Can File a Dr. Robert Hadden Lawsuit?
Former patients who were sexually abused by Dr. Robert Hadden may be able to file a lawsuit against Columbia University, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, or Hadden himself, depending on when and where the abuse occurred.
You may be eligible to file a Robert Hadden lawsuit if you:
- Were a patient of Dr. Robert Hadden at Columbia University, NewYork-Presbyterian, or an affiliated clinic
- Experienced behavior that felt sexual, inappropriate, unnecessary, or nonclinical during an exam
“Under the guise of medical treatment, Robert Hadden sexually abused and assaulted numerous patients for approximately 25 years, exploiting them in vulnerable moments for his own sexual gratification."
– Damian Williams, Former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York
Because Hadden practiced for decades across Columbia University and NewYork-Presbyterian facilities, potential survivors include patients who saw him for routine gynecologic care, prenatal care, delivery, or specialized exams.
Survivors deserve to have their stories told — and our Robert Hadden attorneys can help you make your voice heard. Call (800) 995-1212 now to get started. It costs nothing to speak with us.
Statute of Limitations on Robert Hadden Lawsuits
Usually, with civil sexual abuse claims, a statute of limitations places deadlines on how long you have to take legal action. However, these limitations work differently for adult and child survivors of abuse.
In New York, survivors who were abused as minors generally have the right to file a lawsuit until age 55 under the state’s Child Victims Act (CVA). Adult survivors often have extended statute of limitations, providing a path to justice, even if the abuse happened decades ago.
Many women have only recently recognized that what they experienced was abuse — not medical care — and courts have continued to accept new filings based on newer reporting windows, discovery rules, and institutional-liability theories.
Filing a Dr. Robert Hadden Lawsuit
At Sokolove Law, we know how difficult it can be to deal with an incident of sexual abuse, especially when it involves a trusted health care provider. That’s why our team handles all of the legal work, allowing you to focus on your emotional health and well-being.
Your lawyer will gather your medical records, any communication you had with Columbia or Hadden, and details about your experiences to build a strong claim.
Our Columbia and Robert Hadden lawsuit lawyers can:
Even if years have passed, many survivors can still pursue compensation because courts have increasingly recognized the long-term impact of sexual trauma and the institutional failures involved.
We’ll build your case, protect your interests, and navigate every step of the legal process, making it as easy and stress-free as possible. You don’t have to go through this alone.
Dr. Robert Hadden News & Updates
As of 2026, hundreds of women have come forward regarding sexual abuse carried out by Dr. Robert Hadden. These brave survivors have shared their stories, pursued legal action, and brought long-overdue attention to decades of misconduct.
Find out about the latest Dr. Robert Hadden lawsuit updates and news:
- May 2025: Columbia University and NewYork-Presbyterian agreed to pay approximately $750 Million to patients who were abused by Dr. Robert Hadden, the largest settlement in the case to date.
- February 2024: Columbia officially launched a $100 Million settlement fund for survivors of Dr. Hadden’s abuse.
- November 2023: Columbia announced a plan to address the decades of abuse by Dr. Hadden, which involves creating a settlement fund for survivors, notifying nearly 6,500 former patients about his conviction, and conducting an external investigation into the circumstances surrounding his abuse.
- July 2023: Hadden was sentenced to 20 years in prison, the maximum sentence for the charges filed against him.
- January 2023: Robert Hadden was found guilty on 4 federal charges filed against him.
- October 2022: Columbia and its affiliated hospitals agreed to a $165 Million Dr. Robert Hadden settlement with 147 former patients.
- December 2021: A civil lawsuit involving Columbia, NewYork-Presbyterian, and 79 former patients resulted in a $71.5 Million settlement for Robert Hadden abuse.
- September 2020: Dr. Hadden was arrested and charged with enticing and inducing 6 victims to travel across state lines for the purpose of engaging in illegal sexual activity.
- January 2020: Evelyn Yang, wife of presidential candidate Andrew Yang, spoke out about being assaulted by Robert Hadden during an interview with CNN.
- March 2016: Hadden agreed to a plea deal that allowed him to avoid prison time. He was required to give up his medical license, register as a low-level sex offender, and plead guilty to lesser charges.
- 2014: Robert Hadden was charged with sexually assaulting 6 women.
- August 2012: Dr. Hadden stopped working at Columbia University.
- July 2012: Despite his arrest, Columbia allowed Dr. Hadden to continue practicing medicine for another 5 weeks. During this time, 8 additional patients were reportedly assaulted.
- June 2012: A patient called the police on Dr. Hadden after he reportedly licked her genitals during a postpartum exam. He was arrested and later released.
- 1994: A patient of Dr. Hadden’s sent a letter to the chair of Columbia’s OB/GYN department, detailing the abuse she experienced during a prenatal exam. The survivor received a response stating that her concerns would be addressed, but no additional action was reportedly taken.
- 1992: A nurse allegedly saw Hadden sexually abusing a patient. She told her supervisor about the incident but claims she was instructed to keep quiet.
- 1987: Robert Hadden began working as an OB/GYN at Columbia University.
After decades of institutional failures, these survivors are finally receiving justice. If you or a loved one was harmed by Dr. Robert Hadden, contact Sokolove Law now to learn about your legal options and get help.
Let Our Dr. Robert Hadden Lawyers Fight for You
If you or a loved one experienced sexual abuse by Dr. Robert Hadden, you may be eligible for compensation to help make the road ahead easier and seek the justice you deserve.
At Sokolove Law, our team has decades of experience helping survivors hold negligent medical providers and institutions accountable.
Many families turn to Sokolove Law because we have:
- A compassionate team of case managers available 24/7
- Experience serving clients nationwide for more than 45 years
- No upfront costs or hourly fees — we only get paid if you do
- Over $10.1 Billion total secured for past clients
Call (800) 995-1212 right now or fill out our form to speak with a member of our team. We’re here to listen, answer your questions, and guide you through the next steps with care and respect.
Doctor Robert Hadden Abuse Attorney FAQs
What did Robert Hadden do?
Robert Hadden, OB/GYN, a former Columbia University health care provider, committed widespread sexual abuse against patients over the course of his 25-year career. He used his position of trust to exploit patients during routine gynecological exams.
Robert Hadden sexual abuse included:
- Inappropriately touching or groping patients during exams
- Making sexually explicit comments or advances toward patients
- Coercing patients into sexual activity or exploiting his authority to obtain compliance
- Targeting vulnerable patients like pregnant women who trusted him as a medical professional
Despite reports to Columbia in the early 1990s, his misconduct went unchecked for decades, allowing him to victimize hundreds of women before being held accountable.
If you’re a survivor of Dr. Hadden, we may be able to help. Find out about your legal options with a free case review.
What was the Columbia University scandal?
The Columbia University and Dr. Robert Hadden scandal revealed decades of institutional negligence that allowed a gynecologist to sexually abuse patients during routine exams. For years, pregnant women, minors, and other patients reported behavior that felt inappropriate or sexual.
Despite reports of assaults as far back as 1992, Columbia dismissed complaints, offered empty promises of follow-up, and instructed staff who witnessed misconduct to remain silent. Even after Hadden was arrested in 2012 for assaulting a patient, the university allowed him to continue treating people for several more weeks, during which additional abuse reportedly occurred.
Although Hadden reached a plea deal in 2016 with Manhattan prosecutors that allowed him to avoid jail, Columbia didn’t alert thousands of his former patients about the conviction. The university waited until 2022, just days before a major filing deadline for civil claims, to notify patients about his history of abuse.
To date, more than $1 Billion in settlements has been secured for over 1,000 survivors, reflecting the scale of the harm and the systemic failures that allowed Hadden’s abuse to continue for decades.
What were Robert Hadden's charges?
Robert Hadden faced both state and federal charges related to his decades-long sexual abuse of patients. At the state level, he pleaded guilty in 2016 to multiple counts of sexual abuse, avoiding jail time through a controversial plea deal.
Federally, he was convicted in January 2023 on charges of enticing and transporting patients across state lines for sexual abuse, a serious offense that led to a 20-year prison sentence. These charges reflected the systematic exploitation of hundreds of patients and the severity of his predatory conduct over many years.
Was Robert Hadden convicted?
Yes, Robert Hadden was convicted in January 2023. After years of escaping serious punishment at the state level, he was found guilty on federal charges of enticing and transporting patients across state lines for sexual abuse.
The conviction came after a jury trial and resulted in a 20-year prison sentence, finally holding him accountable for the widespread and prolonged exploitation of hundreds of patients.
Is Robert Hadden in jail?
Yes. Robert Hadden is currently serving time in federal prison. In January 2023, a jury convicted him on federal charges of enticing and transporting patients across state lines for sexual abuse. He was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison, which he began serving later that year.
An earlier 2016 plea deal with the state allowed Robert Hadden to avoid jail time if he complied with certain conditions, including registering as a sex offender and undergoing treatment. This deal, widely criticized as lenient given the scale of his misconduct, effectively let him escape prison despite the severity of his crimes.
Do I qualify for a Robert Hadden settlement?
Individuals who were treated by Dr. Robert Hadden at Columbia University or affiliated medical facilities and were sexually abused or assaulted during their medical care may qualify for a settlement.
Robert Hadden settlements may be available to patients who experienced inappropriate touching or other forms of sexual misconduct during exams or appointments.
Regardless of when the abuse occurred, survivors of the former doctor's misconduct may be eligible for Robert Hadden settlements, which have already awarded over $1 Billion to survivors. Call (800) 995-1212 now to see if you may be eligible.
How much does a Robert Hadden lawyer charge?
At Sokolove Law, our Robert Hadden lawyers don’t charge any upfront costs or hourly fees. We work on a contingency-fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we secure compensation on your behalf.
Contact us now to see if we may be able to fight for you.
