Columbia University and its hospitals announced Friday that they have reached a agreement to pay $ 165 million to 147 patients who reported being sexually abused by a former gynecologist who worked there.
Columbia University Irving Medical Center (CUIMC) made it clear. Robert Haddenwho pleaded guilty in a separate case in 2016 on two counts of forced groping and third degree sexual assault, has not practiced as a doctor at the institute since 2012.
In the 2016 plea deal, Hadden lost his medical license and was registered as a sex offender, but he was not sent to prison.
The deal announced Friday sets up a $ 165 million compensation fund to distribute among whistleblowers, including dozens who sued the doctor and hospital network when the extent of Hadden’s behavior began to be revealed.
Hadden is currently awaiting trial in a federal court for six crimes that emerged in 2020. He is accused of transporting women out of state for the purpose of sexually abusing them. between 1993 and 2012.
“We deeply regret the pain suffered by Robert Hadden’s patients and hope these resolutions will provide some support to the women he has hurt,” CUIMC and New York-Presbyterian Hospital said in a joint statement.
They added: “Everyone who has come forward should be recognized. We are committed to the safety and dignity of each of our patients and have policies in place to ensure they are protected and empowered during our care.”
The deal comes after Columbia University announced it reached last year another $ 71.5 million deal between the hospital network and 79 Hadden patients who were represented by another prosecutor.
Columbia said that over the past decade, CUIMC’s department of obstetrics and gynecology has been reviewing current policies and expanding resources to improve patient safety.
With information from AFP
DB
Source: Clarin
