Sexual Assault Mass Tort Marketing Campaigns

New York-Presbyterian Hospital and Columbia University agreed to a $750 million settlement of hundreds of sexual abuse claims by patients of Robert Hadden, a former OB-GYN at the hospital and the university’s Irving Medical Center. The settlement, approved by a New York state court, brings total legal payouts in civil cases involving the ex-doctor to over $1 billion, according to the plaintiffs’ lawyer.

 
The latest settlement averages out to about $1.3 million per survivor and represents what may be the highest per-plaintiff payout in a civil case in U.S. history. The settlements come in 576 cases filed against Columbia, New York-Presbyterian Hospital and others involving abuse by Hadden, who was convicted by a jury in 2023 of federal sex crime charges and sentenced to 20 years in federal prison. Many of the victims were young women or pregnant patients seeking routine care.

A claim of sexual abuse at a jail in New York will be permitted to continue following a ruling by a federal judge.

 
Six women who were incarcerated at the Rockland County Jail alleged that correctional officers sexually abused them over many years.

 
In Doe v. County of Rockland, the judge allowed one plaintiff’s claims to move forward, while dismissing the claims of the other women as untimely.

 
The court found the one plaintiff alleged enough facts to support a Monell claim, which allows plaintiffs to hold local governments liable under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 when a constitutional violation results from a municipal policy, custom, or practice.

A lawsuit filed early March accuses influencer platform Passes of enabling the distribution of sexually explicit content involving minors. The complaint alleges the company and its co-founder knowingly facilitated and profited from this material, violating federal child exploitation laws. Plaintiffs claim underage girls were recruited for explicit content, which was then sold before and after they turned 18. This case intensifies scrutiny of Passes amid rising concerns about platform accountability in preventing child exploitation.

A federal lawsuit filed on March 9 accuses DoorDash of retaliating against a longtime customer who raised alarms about the company’s lax driver screening. The plaintiff claims DoorDash ignored offers to help improve safety and instead shut down their account after making false fraud allegations against the plaintiff. The suit points to a pattern of violent incidents involving drivers with criminal records and alleges the company misled customers about its safety policies and tip practices. Damages are being sought.

The North Carolina Supreme Court has upheld the 2019 SAFE Child Act, reaffirming the law’s provision that extended the window for survivors of child sexual abuse to file civil lawsuits, even if their claims were previously time-barred. This ruling is linked to a case where three former students sued the Gaston County Board of Education over alleged abuse by a former coach. By confirming the legislature’s authority to adjust statutes of limitations, the court has strengthened survivors’ ability to hold both individuals and institutions accountable.

Also early this month, Maryland Supreme Court upheld the Child Victims Act of 2023, ensuring survivors of childhood sexual abuse can seek justice. In its decision, the court affirmed the legislature’s authority to remove time limits that once protected abusers and institutions. This ruling reinforces the rights of survivors to hold those responsible accountable and marks a crucial victory in the fight for justice.

This month also saw the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) reach a $5 million settlement with attorneys general in New York, Illinois, and Washington, D.C., following investigations into widespread misconduct and abuse spanning over a decade. Authorities found that the league failed to protect players from sexual misconduct, emotional abuse, and harassment. The settlement establishes a compensation fund for affected players, but individuals may still pursue private legal claims. Additionally, the NWSL must report misconduct allegations biannually for three years, conduct anonymous player surveys, and faces a $2 million penalty for noncompliance.

In the first week of the month, a Sweetwater County parolee filed a federal lawsuit alleging sexual assault, harassment, and retaliation by Wyoming Department of Corrections and Nebraska law enforcement employees during her incarceration. She also accuses medical staff of denying care and humiliation. The plaintiff seeks over $5 million in damages, claiming systemic failure to address her reports and protect her rights.

The first week of the month also saw a new decision in the G.M. v. Choice Hotels Int’l, Inc., case. An Ohio federal court ruled that corporate defendants under the TVPRA cannot shift liability to franchisees through common law indemnification. This decision highlights the statute’s victim-centered focus and reinforces accountability for corporations accused of enabling trafficking at branded properties.

By the third week of the month, it came forward that Dr. Derrick Todd, a former Massachusetts rheumatologist, faces rape charges and allegations of sexually assaulting over 200 patients through improper medical exams. With his medical licenses revoked, lawsuits from victims are mounting, and more are expected as details of his alleged misconduct continue to emerge.

Endeavor Health will pay $453 million to resolve claims from patients alleging sexual abuse by former gynecologist Dr. Fabio Ortega. Ortega, previously convicted of felony sexual abuse, faced numerous accusations of misconduct during exams. The settlement, impacting Swedish Hospital and other facilities, was revealed in the system’s latest financial disclosures.

In a separate case, a Missouri appeals court upheld a $177 million verdict against Hyatt Corp., including $149 million in punitive damages, for failing to protect a guest who was sexually assaulted by a security guard in 2016. The court found Hyatt negligently hired and retained the guard despite a history of sexual misconduct. Evidence showed Hyatt obstructed the police investigation, withholding key evidence and violating guest safety protocols. The ruling underscores the importance of corporate accountability in ensuring guest security.

November 21, 2024

A former Alaska federal prosecutor has resolved retaliation claims against the Department of Justice, securing a confidential settlement. She alleged that reporting Judge Joshua Kindred’s misconduct and another prosecutor’s actions led to career retaliation.

November 12, 2024

Former Provo OB-GYN Dr. David Broadbent now faces mounting legal troubles, with over 100 women accusing him of sexual misconduct during medical exams. Alongside civil lawsuits, he has been charged with forcible sexual abuse and object rape.

October 12, 2024

The Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles has agreed to a landmark $880 million settlement with approximately 1,300 individuals who allege sexual abuse by clergy members. Combined with prior settlements totaling $740 million, this brings the Archdiocese’s payouts for abuse claims to an unprecedented $1.5 billion, marking one of the largest settlements in U.S. history.

October 10, 2024

A Philadelphia foster care agency has reached a $9.38 million settlement with a survivor who was trafficked for sex while in its care. The lawsuit claimed the agency failed to monitor her foster placement, leading to years of abuse and exploitation. Combined with a $24 million settlement against a hotel, the total compensation exceeded $33 million.