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In a landmark decision, Columbia University is now grappling with the repercussions of a staggering $1 billion settlement related to sexual abuse allegations against former gynecologist Robert Hadden. This unprecedented agreement, reached on Monday, involves a payout of $750 million to 576 victims, averaging $1.3 million per case.
The settlement was officially sanctioned by the Manhattan Supreme Court, marking a significant moment in the ongoing fight for justice.
Accountability over compensation
Victims have made it clear that this settlement transcends mere financial compensation. Laurie Maldonando, a victim who endured Hadden’s abuse for nearly a decade, emphasized that the agreement is fundamentally about accountability.
“Columbia University enabled sadistic abuse,” she stated, highlighting the institution’s role in allowing Hadden to prey on vulnerable patients. In 2023, Hadden was sentenced to 20 years in prison for his heinous acts, which occurred during his tenure at several prestigious hospitals linked to Columbia University and New York-Presbyterian.
Long-standing negligence and cover-ups
Attorney Anthony T. DiPietro, who has represented numerous victims since 2012, criticized Columbia and New York-Presbyterian for prioritizing their reputations over patient safety. He uncovered a letter from 1995, written by the then head of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Columbia, which acknowledged Hadden’s misconduct and contradicted the institution’s claims of ignorance.
This revelation has fueled the narrative that these institutions have long been aware of the abuse yet chose to remain silent.
The path forward for victims
With the recent settlement, Columbia’s total payouts to Hadden’s victims have exceeded $1 billion, a staggering figure that reflects the gravity of the situation.
DiPietro previously criticized Columbia’s establishment of a $100 million victims fund as “woefully inadequate.” He stated that this latest agreement sends a powerful message: institutions that cover up exploitation and abuse will be held accountable for their actions. The fight for justice continues, as DiPietro is also pursuing claims against another physician, urologist Darius Paduch, representing 400 men who allege similar abuses.
As the dust settles on this scandal, it is clear that the ramifications extend far beyond financial settlements. The voices of the victims are finally being heard, and the institutions that failed them are being forced to confront their past. This case serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of accountability in the healthcare system, ensuring that no patient is ever subjected to the horrors of abuse again.
