How Can a Lawyer Help Me To File a Lawsuit Against Dr. Robert Hadden?

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Robert Hadden sexually abused patients for nearly three decades while practicing as a doctor. He is now facing life in prison after being found guilty on federal charges.

Given the latest developments, countless victims are wondering what steps they need to take to file a lawsuit against the disgraced Dr. Robert Hadden.

Robert Hadden Sexual Abuse Lawsuit

The DiPietro Law Firm has helped hundreds of women file suit and secure compensation for what they’ve gone through.

We have been leading the fight against Columbia University and its affiliates for Robert Hadden’s sexual abuse since the beginning.

Contact us for a free consultation. Confidentiality is guaranteed.

We’re here to help you.

Table of Contents

Dr. Robert Hadden Lawsuit: A Brief Overview

The predator Dr. Robert Hadden, a gynecologist formerly associated with New York Presbyterian Hospital and Columbia University, sexually assaulted numerous women for over 20 years under the guise of providing them with medical attention.

Robert Hadden was investigated for two years before he was charged with various sex offenses in 2016, yet he avoided time behind bars and was put on the lowest level of the sexual offender’s list. By confessing to the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office and giving up his medical license, he was spared incarceration.

A combination of the terrible nature of the criminal sexual act and the extremely light penalty unleashed a torrent of horror stories from adult survivors. As a result of the growing number of women speaking out, The DiPietro Law Firm filed multiple lawsuits on the victims’ behalf against Columbia.

Our firm spearheaded the civil litigation that resulted in a $236 million settlement from Columbia University and its subsidiaries to the plaintiffs.

The Manhattan Federal Court ruled former gynecologist Robert Hadden guilty on numerous counts of sexual abuse in January 2023; he faces a life sentence if convicted.

Who Can Sue Robert Hadden for Sexual Abuse?

Countless ex-patients have already come forward, and this number includes minors and pregnant women who saw Hadden. These women attested that the disgraced Columbia University doctor touched them against their will and committed various forms of sexual abuse.

Any person who has suffered at the hands of Robert Hadden is entitled to file for damages.

Come to us for help and file a lawsuit if:

You Were Robert Hadden’s Former Patient

Hadden spent over 20 years sexually assaulting patients, including several minors, in a number of prominent Manhattan hospitals, such as the New York Presbyterian Hospital. It was revealed through investigations that he had sexually assaulted several female patients throughout his medical career.

Hadden kept meticulous records of his thousands of patients and abused his position as a doctor to sexually assault them. Talk to a lawyer as soon as possible if you or someone you know was the victim of sexual misconduct, assault, or abuse during a visit with Robert Hadden.

You Were Coerced Into Crossing State Lines

Since Hadden worked as a gynecologist in New York for over 20 years, several victims worry that they don’t have standing to sue because they don’t hail from the same state. The New York Adult Survivor’s Act protects victims of sexual abuse regardless of where they live.

Whether you’re native to the Big Apple or not, finding an attorney who can file your lawsuit efficiently and meet your requirements as a survivor of unlawful sexual abuse is essential. Get in touch with our legal team if you want to file a case and take part in civil lawsuits against the organizations that protected the disgraced Dr. Hadden.

Columbia University or One of Its Affiliated Hospitals Attempted To Negotiate a Settlement for Your Unlawful Sexual Abuse Claim

Following Hadden’s guilty plea, the university moved quickly to conceal the details of his crimes. Many of Hadden’s victims who stepped forward to expose his misconduct were offered financial compensation by the university. Victims were required to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) in return for the payment, which was designed to prevent them from pursuing further legal action or making statements about the incident.

Agreements that prevent the disclosure of illegal activities are void under the law in several states, and that includes New York City. This means that if someone is prevented from exposing Hadden’s crimes because of an NDA signed at Columbia University, that arrangement will not be upheld.

The New York Adult Survivors Act

Prior to 2022, sexual assault and sexual abuse had a statute of limitations in the New York legislature. For example, an offense like forcible touching had a two-year statute of limitations under the previous law.

On the other hand, sexual abuse-related felonies or federal charges had a statute of limitations of five years. Over 150 victims of sex abuse who brought lawsuits under the previous laws were ultimately successful.

Many others, however, had claims that had lapsed by the time they might have brought a case against the now-infamous Robert Hadden. By November 2022, though, things had shifted.

The New York Adult Survivors Act went into effect on November 24, 2022. The recently enacted Adult Survivors Act makes it possible for victims of sexual abuse to sue their perpetrators at any given time, regardless of how long ago the assault occurred.

The new statute applies retrospectively, allowing victims of Hadden’s in the past to file a case. It makes no difference if the sexual abuse took place in 1987 or 2021. Anyone who has suffered at the hands of Robert Hadden can bring forward a lawsuit.

Why File a Lawsuit Against Dr. Robert Hadden and Columbia University?

Medical professionals, such as obstetricians and gynecologists, have a great deal of sway over their patients. People who require medical attention often have no choice but to place their trust in the doctor. The sad truth is that sexual abuse may occur even among professionals.

If you are one of the scores of female patients who have been abused by the criminally-charged Columbia University doctor, you should not be afraid to file a lawsuit. Winning a case and getting your hands on the compensation that comes with it can be a huge relief financially and provide much-needed closure.

How an Experienced Lawyer Can Help You

Filing a lawsuit against a physician who has been abusive can help you be compensated for your suffering and stop the doctor from harming other patients. A sexual abuse attorney can assist you in pursuing a civil claim. You can take legal action as your child’s guardian if they are the victim. Even if the victim dies, their family can file a sexual abuse lawsuit against the doctor.

When filing a civil lawsuit, the burden of proof is placed on the person who is suing. You and your attorney will need to show that your claim has a greater chance of being true than not. First, you have to show that your sexual encounter with the doctor was not consensual.

Cases involving sexual misconduct on the part of medical professionals do not require the services of a lawyer. Nevertheless, having a lawyer on your side can greatly improve your chances of receiving just compensation and holding the responsible parties liable.

Being sexually abused by somebody you trusted, like a doctor, can have devastating consequences. You’ll be able to put your mind and heart back on recovering with the support of your attorney.

When you hire a lawyer, they will be in charge of the following tasks:

  • Obtaining evidence to back up the sexual abuse claim
  • Conducting interviews with witnesses and experts
  • Bringing a lawsuit on your behalf
  • Negotiating a reasonable settlement amount

What Evidence Do You Need?

Our sexual assault lawyers have years of experience gathering evidence to support clients’ claims of sexual assault, and they can help you do the same. Here’s the kind of proof they can find to back up your argument:

  • Medical records
  • Testimonies from other doctors
  • Standards of care as conveyed by experts in the field
  • Psychiatric assessments

Civil lawsuits rely on a “preponderance of evidence”, meaning it has to be proven beyond a reasonable doubt that sexual misconduct or abuse occurred. The barrier of evidence in civil lawsuits is lower than criminal proceedings, meaning victims are able to get the justice they deserve without proving (with concrete evidence) that sexual assault occurred.

What Compensation Can You Receive for Sexual Abuse?

If you decide to take legal action against a physician on the grounds of sexual abuse, the following damages may qualify you for compensation:

  • Medical expenses: This includes hospitalization costs, counseling fees, prescription costs, emergency discharge fees, and future medical expenses.
  • Lost income or wages: All the wages, salary, revenue, or benefits you’ve lost due to being sick or taking care of a loved one is included.
  • Loss of quality of life: The victim receives monetary damages to make up for the diminished quality of life brought on by the assault or abuse.
  • Pain and suffering: Pain, suffering, emotional distress, and other forms of physical and mental anguish can all be compensated financially.
  • Wrongful death: If a victim of sexual abuse takes her own life, her family is entitled to compensation for funeral and burial fees, medical bills incurred before death, and other damages.
  • Punitive damages: This refers to the additional monetary penalties placed on negligent medical professionals or institutions.

Although monetary compensation cannot undo the damage caused by a sexual assault or ease the victim’s emotional pain, it can help them get the help they need to recover.

Contact The DiPietro Law Firm for a Free Consultation

At The DiPietro Law Firm, we will listen to your story and lay out your options during a 100% confidential, free, no-obligation consultation.

For over a decade, attorney Anthony DiPietro has been at the forefront of the Dr. Robert Hadden case. You can rely on his assistance in bringing criminals like Hadden and others who covered for him to justice.

We understand how difficult it is to progress in your recovery by taking the next step, and we’re here to assist you. If you need to get in touch with us, please don’t delay.

Resources for Sexual Exploitation & Abuse Survivors

We’re currently investigating this case and many other cases involving serial sexual predators.

As more information becomes available on our cases, we will share it on the The DiPietro Law Firm Twitter account (@atdipietro).

If you’re a survivor of sexual exploitation and abuse, please contact our Free Consultation Helpline for a 100% confidential and free consultation about your case at (212) 233-3600.

You’re not alone anymore.

Somebody who sexually assaults patients under the guise of medical care DOES NOT deserve salutations.

Robert Hadden is not a doctor. Robert Hadden is a convicted sexual felon and is facing life in prison for the crimes he committed.

The only reason the DiPietro Law Firm uses “Dr. Robert Hadden” in some of our content is so that victims are able to find us when searching for help.

Do You
Have A Case?

Here, at The DiPietro Law Firm, we’re committed to helping victims of sexual abuse and assault find the justice they deserve.

All information discussed during our consultations always remains completely 100% confidential.

Would you like our help?

About Anthony T. DiPietro

Founder Anthony T. DiPietro, Esq. is a compassionate and skilled trial attorney who has completely dedicated the past 23 years of his career to litigating medical malpractice and sexual abuse cases against major corporate institutions including hospitals, medical clinics, schools, and other wrongdoers.

Mr. DiPietro has also obtained some of New York State’s highest verdicts and settlements, and has been selected to New York State Super Lawyers® each year, for the past 10 years in a row.

In 2022, Mr. DiPietro was selected as one of America’s Top 100 High-Stakes Litigators for the landmark cases he’s won on behalf of survivors of sexual exploitation and abuse.

Verdicts & Settlements
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Do You
Have A Case?

Here, at The DiPietro Law Firm, we’re committed to helping victims of sexual abuse and assault find the justice they deserve.

All information discussed during our consultations always remains completely 100% confidential.

Would you like our help?

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Cases We're Currently Litigating

Years of Abuse:  1987 – 2016

Brief: 

Robert Hadden, a disgraced Obstetrician-Gynecologist (OB/GYN) who worked for Columbia University and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, was criminally convicted in 2016 of sexually exploiting and abusing patients under the guise of medical care.

Hadden used his position of authority and trust to sexually exploit women and girls for nearly three decades as a Columbia University physician.

All the while, Columbia University and New York-Presbyterian Hospital administrators turned their backs and ignored reports of Hadden’s abuse, gaslighting patients and the public.

Read More:

Years of Abuse:  1979 – 2022

Brief: 

David H. Broadbent is a former OB/GYN under criminal investigation and facing civil lawsuits for sexual abuse of patients.

Broadent worked at multiple medical facilities in the Provo, Orem and Salt Lake City, UT areas.

These facilities included Intermountain Healthcare’s Utah Valley Hospital, MountainStar Healthcare’s Timpanogos Hospital, other Utah health care providers, and he also had adverse action taken against his medical license back in 1990.

Read More:

Years of Abuse:  1961 – 1996

Brief: 

22 predator teachers and administrators, over the course of 35 years.

Free Consultation Helpline

If you have any questions about whether or not you have a case, or just want to obtain more information about what you’ve experienced – feel free to contact us through our secure website chat.

You can also contact us by calling us at (212) 233-3600 or toll free at (800) 215-1003.

All of our consultations are free and 100% confidential. Thank you.