Your privacy, safety, and emotional well-being should come first. Consider seeking support from a trusted therapist, counselor, medical professional, or victim advocate who understands sexual trauma. Preserve anything that may help document your treatment and experience, including:

• Medical and billing records
• Appointment dates and treatment locations
• Patient portal messages
• Emails, letters, or other communications
• Prescription and pharmacy records
• Pregnancy, fertility, or childbirth records
• Names of nurses, medical assistants, chaperones, or other witnesses
• Notes describing what occurred and how it affected you

You do not need to decide immediately whether to pursue legal action. A confidential conversation with an attorney can help you understand whether the conduct may have constituted abuse, what evidence may still be available, and what options you may have.

The options available to a former patient depend on several factors, including what happened, when and where the treatment occurred, the patient’s age at the time, which medical institution was involved, and whether the patient previously participated in a settlement or compensation program.

Hadden’s federal criminal prosecution was separate from any action a survivor may take. The criminal case focused on holding Hadden accountable for his crimes, while other legal avenues may focus on the harm a survivor experienced and whether an institution or another party bears responsibility. 

A case review may examine whether Columbia University, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, an affiliated medical practice, a supervisor, or another party:

• Knew or should have known about inappropriate conduct
• Received complaints but failed to respond appropriately
• Failed to enforce appropriate chaperone policies
• Failed to supervise or monitor Hadden
• Allowed him to continue treating patients after warning signs emerged
• Failed to warn or notify current or former patients

The existence of previous cases, settlements, or compensation programs does not automatically determine whether another former patient has legal options. However, someone who previously accepted compensation or signed a release may face different legal restrictions. An attorney can review the individual circumstances and explain what avenues, if any, may remain.

Many survivors do not immediately recognize medical sexual abuse. Hadden reportedly disguised abusive conduct as legitimate gynecological care, and patients may have believed that an uncomfortable or invasive examination was medically necessary.

Other survivors may have known that something felt wrong but needed years to process the experience or feel safe discussing it. Delayed recognition and disclosure do not make the abuse any less serious.

Legal deadlines depend on several factors, including when the abuse occurred, the survivor’s age at the time, the type of legal claim, and whether any exceptions or special filing rules apply.

Because several New York filing windows and settlement programs have already had specific deadlines, survivors should not assume that they are either eligible or ineligible without having their circumstances reviewed. An attorney can determine whether any legal options remain available.

No financial recovery can erase sexual abuse, but a civil claim may provide survivors with resources for healing while holding responsible parties accountable. Depending on the circumstances, compensation may be available for:

• Counseling, therapy, and psychiatric care
• Medical treatment related to the abuse
• Future mental health and medical expenses
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress and psychological trauma
• Lost income or diminished earning capacity
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Relationship and intimacy difficulties
• Pregnancy- or childbirth-related trauma
• Other long-term effects of the abuse

Additional damages may be available in certain cases when the evidence demonstrates especially reckless, malicious, or intentional misconduct.

Cases involving sexual abuse by a medical professional require compassion, confidentiality, and careful review of medical and institutional records. Survivors should be treated with respect and given the opportunity to understand their options in a safe, supportive setting. 

Morgan & Morgan is America’s Largest Injury Law Firm, with more than 1,100 attorneys, 35 years of experience, and more than $35 billion recovered for clients. Our firm has the resources to review medical records, investigate previous complaints, examine hospital policies and chaperone procedures, consult qualified experts, and pursue claims against individuals and institutions that may be responsible.

If you were treated by Robert Hadden and believe you experienced sexual abuse or medically inappropriate conduct, Morgan & Morgan can confidentially review what happened and explain your potential legal options. You can move forward at your own pace.

Morgan & Morgan works on a contingency fee basis, meaning the Fee Is Free™—you only pay if we win your case. You can begin with a free, confidential case evaluation.