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 settlement of $750 million with 576 victims of Robert Hadden, a disgraced gynecologist and convicted sex offender. This results in an average payout of $1.3 million per victim, as announced by the victims’ attorney.
The deal was approved in Manhattan Supreme Court on Monday.
Previously, the attorney had obtained $277 million in settlements for Hadden’s victims from Columbia, making the total compensation offered by the hospitals surpass $1 billion with the latest agreement.
“We sincerely regret the pain experienced by his patients, and this settlement marks another step forward in our continuous efforts and dedication to healing the harm and supporting survivors,” a spokesperson from the university stated, praising the survivors for their “courage.”
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.
