Context:

Columbia University and New York-Presbyterian Hospital have agreed to a $750 million settlement for hundreds of sexual abuse claims by patients of former gynecologist Robert Hadden, who was convicted of federal sex crimes and sentenced to 20 years in prison. This settlement brings the total legal payouts related to Hadden's abuse to over $1 billion, with 576 cases against the institutions and others. The agreement follows previous settlements and is part of a broader effort by Columbia to address the abuses, including implementing new safety policies. Plaintiffs, including Laurie Maldonado and Evelyn Yang, have emphasized the importance of institutional accountability for enabling Hadden's misconduct. Hadden's criminal activities had been partially uncovered as early as 2012, with public outrage growing significantly during the #MeToo movement, leading to federal charges in 2020 after initial leniency in state-level charges.

Dive Deeper:

• Columbia University and New York-Presbyterian Hospital have reached a $750 million settlement with hundreds of victims of Robert Hadden, a former gynecologist convicted of molesting patients over his decades-long career at prominent hospitals.

• The settlement is part of a larger legal resolution, bringing the total payouts for Hadden's crimes to over $1 billion, as 576 legal cases were filed against the institutions and others involved in covering up the abuse.

• Victims' lawyer Anthony T. DiPietro emphasized that the settlement is a significant victory for survivors and a message against institutional cover-ups, with the average payout to plaintiffs being about $1.3 million.

• Columbia University has confirmed the settlement and is implementing measures such as an external investigation and updated patient safety policies to prevent future abuses, while expressing regret over the harm suffered by Hadden's patients.

• Victims like Laurie Maldonado and Evelyn Yang have highlighted the need for accountability, with Maldonado stating that the case is about holding Columbia University responsible for enabling Hadden's abuse.

• Hadden's misconduct first came to light in 2012, and he was initially charged with low-level felonies in 2014, avoiding jail time due to a plea deal, but federal charges were later pursued after the #MeToo movement raised awareness.

• In November 2023, Columbia announced a $100 million settlement fund to compensate Hadden's victims, with an extended application deadline to May 15, as part of the ongoing efforts to address the impact of his crimes.