A sicko ex-doctor is now costing Columbia University over $1 billion after a new sex abuse settlement with nearly 600 victims was inked Monday.
Columbia University has agreed to a historic $750 million settlement with 576 victims of Robert Hadden, a disgraced gynecologist and convicted sex offender. Each victim will receive an average of $1.3 million as part of this agreement, according to the victims’ attorney.
The deal was approved in Manhattan Supreme Court on Monday.
Prior to this settlement, the attorney had already managed to secure $277 million in settlements against Columbia on behalf of Hadden’s victims. This latest agreement brings the total amount paid out by the university to just over $1 billion.
A university spokesperson expressed deep regret for the suffering experienced by Hadden’s patients and stated that the settlement represents another step in the institution’s efforts to address harm and provide support to survivors. The spokesperson also praised the survivors for their bravery in coming forward.
Sexual assault survivors speak to members of the press following the sentencing of former gynecologist Robert Hadden, outside the Manhattan federal court in New York City, July 25, 2023. (REUTERS/Brendan McDermid)
When Columbia announced they were establishing a $100 million victims fund in 2023, DiPietro said it was “woefully inadequate.”
The Columbia spokesperson added that, in addition to the victim’s fund, the institution initiated an external investigation and “updated patient safety policies and programs to address the abuses of Robert Hadden.”
“This settlement sends a powerful message that we’re here to ensure that institutions covering up exploitation and abuse will be held fully accountable for their crimes,” DiPietro said about Monday’s agreement.
New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center on March 10, 2005 in New York. (DON EMMERT/AFP/Getty Images)
Another sicko physician, urologist Darius Paduch, is also being pursued by DiPietro, who represents 400 men claiming to be victims of the disgraced doctor.
“Hospitals cannot be allowed to cover up misconduct that harms patients—especially when it involves predatory physicians hiding behind their medical licenses to exploit and abuse,” said DiPietro.
