U.S. District Judge Sends Former Obstetrician/Gynecologist to Prison for Sexual Abuse
Medical professionals are held to medical and professional standards. Unfortunately, however, medical industry professionals have abused their power or violated patient-medical professional relationships in various ways.
Robert Hadden Sexual Misconduct
Robert Hadden is a former obstetrician/gynecologist who worked in Manhattan, New York. He is believed to have practiced medicine between 1987 and 2012 at Columbia University Medical Center. During those 25 years of his employment, he provided medical examinations.
On January 24, 2023, Hadden was convicted at trial for influencing four victims to travel back to New York and engage in unlawful sexual activity. It was proven at trial that Hadden, for more than two decades, sexually abused dozens of patients.
The Manhattan doctor falsified legitimate medical care in numerous ways. Hadden would ask patients invasive and unprompted questions, exploit patients with fake examinations, and perform sexual acts on victims.
On July 25, 2023, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Damian Williams, announced Robert Hadden was sentenced to 20 years in prison by U.S. District Judge Richard M. Berman.
The Importance of Trusted Medical Professionals
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) enforces the importance of obstetrician-gynecologists being obligated ethically and professionally to perform physical examinations appropriately while remaining in a professional patient-physician relationship.
Ways Misconduct Occurs
Sexual misconduct by an obstetrician/gynecologist can take many forms, ranging from inappropriate physical contact to verbal harassment or manipulation. This can include, but is not limited to:
- Inappropriate touching or groping: Performing unnecessary physical contact during an exam or procedure without medical justification.
- Sexually suggestive comments or behavior: Making inappropriate remarks, jokes, or gestures of a sexual nature during consultations or exams.
- Coercion or abuse of power: Pressuring or intimidating patients into consenting to intimate exams or procedures they are uncomfortable with.
- Exploitation of the patient-practitioner dynamic: Using the position of authority to make sexual advances or engage in inappropriate behavior.
- Engaging in sexual acts under false pretenses: Conducting sexual acts or inappropriate procedures without the patient’s consent, disguised as a medical necessity.
Our Victim’s Advocate Team
At Bachus & Schanker, we understand that when a healthcare professional, such as an obstetrician/gynecologist, commits sexual misconduct, it is a devastating violation that can leave you feeling betrayed, isolated, and uncertain about what steps to take next.
Our Victim’s Advocate team is here to help you through every step. We offer the support, guidance, and resources you need to navigate the legal and emotional aspects of your case. Let us help you pursue justice and healing with our confidential and compassionate assistance. Whether you’re facing a civil lawsuit or seeking to hold the perpetrator accountable, our team works tirelessly to ensure you receive the comprehensive care and legal representation you deserve.
Contact our sexual assault lawyers at Bachus & Schanker today for a free consultation and let us help you begin your journey toward justice and recovery.
Sources:
Former Obstetrician/Gynecologist Robert Hadden Sentenced To 20 Years In Prison For
