Rockefeller University Sexual Abuse Lawsuits

Compensation for Victims of Sex Abuse at Rockefeller University Hospital

At Injury Lawyer Team, we represent survivors of sexual abuse with compassion, determination, and a commitment to justice. The allegations of Rockefeller University sexual abuse, centered on decades of misconduct by hospital physicians and administrators who failed to protect vulnerable patients, remain among the most disturbing cases of institutional betrayal in New York.

Many former patients of Rockefeller University Hospital, including pediatric patients, have come forward with credible accounts of abuse that were ignored, minimized, or concealed by those in positions of trust.

Our firm stands with survivors in hospital sexual abuse lawsuits, fighting to ensure they are heard, supported, and compensated for the immense harm they have endured. We believe that no institution, no matter how prestigious, should escape accountability when it fails to protect children and patients from exploitation.

Allegations Against Reginald Archibald

At the center of the Rockefeller University sexual misconduct scandal is Reginald Archibald, a pediatric endocrinologist who studied childhood growth at Rockefeller University Hospital for more than three decades. 

Archibald served as both a hospital senior physician and university professor, and after retirement held emeritus status. Archibald died in 2007, but hundreds of former patients have since come forward describing his behaviors involving inappropriate conduct during patient examinations.

Concerns about Archibald’s conduct stretch back decades. In the early 1960s, the Manhattan District Attorney subpoenaed hospital records after complaints, though no charges were filed. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, colleagues and supervisors noted repeated concerns about his examinations of child patients, but the university notified no families and took no meaningful action to protect patients.

By the 1990s, multiple former patients were reporting that Archibald had fondled their genitals, taken nude photographs, or collected semen samples under the guise of medical research. These allegations were reported to the New York State Office of Professional Medical Conduct, but Archibald retained medical staff privileges and continued to see children.

By 2018, a single complaint reopened the issue, leading Rockefeller University Hospital to retain outside investigators. Their findings were devastating: a widespread pattern of sexual harassment and decades of institutional failure. The New York Times reported that more than 900 of Archibald’s former patients contacted investigators after the university’s outreach, and lawsuits now number in the hundreds.

Under the Child Victims Act, more than 200 civil lawsuits were filed in New York courts, many of which have already resulted in confidential settlements.

Madison Square Boys Club

The scandal extended beyond the hospital. Survivors allege that Archibald recruited young boys from the Madison Square Boys Club, where he was known as the “pool doctor.” According to doctor sexual abuse lawsuits, boys were forced to undergo nude “physicals” before swimming, had their membership cards marked after exams, and were sometimes photographed naked.

Other victims have also linked additional predators at the club, such as coach Nicholas “Lefty” Antonucci. The Madison Square Boys & Girls Club ultimately faced more than a hundred historical childhood sexual abuse claims and agreed to a $22 million settlement in 2023 to resolve about 140 cases.

Pediatric Patients at Rockefeller University Hospital

For many survivors, the greatest betrayal was that the abuse occurred in what should have been a place of healing. The targets were vulnerable pediatric patients who came to the Rockefeller Institute, where Archibald studied childhood growth and medical treatment. Survivors describe genital fondling, nude photography, and forced semen collection, all under the guise of science.

Some were even invited to Archibald’s summer cabin, where more serious sexual assault occurred. The official report concluded Archibald’s reprehensible behavior had no legitimate medical purpose and constituted a gross abuse of power by a hospital senior physician.

The University’s Reckless 2018 Letter and Re-Traumatization

In October 2018, Rockefeller University Hospital released a public letter admitting Archibald had engaged in “certain inappropriate conduct” during exams and stating the “Hospital and University deeply regret pain and suffering caused.”

Survivors criticized the language as minimizing the abuse. Worse, the university mailed more than 1,000 letters to Archibald’s former patients without offering individualized support. Many reported that the letter itself triggered flashbacks and trauma. 

Although the hospital and university webpages later offered resources and therapy funding, many victims felt the outreach re-traumatized them rather than offering meaningful help.

Who Can Be Held Liable for Reginald Archibald’s Sexual Abuse?

When pursuing a sexual abuse lawsuit, one of the most important questions is who can and should be held accountable. In the case of Reginald Archibald, liability extends far beyond the individual doctor. Survivors of Archibald’s abuse have legal grounds to bring claims against multiple defendants, including both individuals and powerful institutions.

Reginald Archibald (Deceased)

Although Archibald passed away in 2007, his estate can still be named in lawsuits. Hundreds of survivors have described Archibald’s behavior as sexual assault, molestation, and exploitation disguised as medical research. Even though he is no longer alive, his estate may remain a defendant in a lawsuit so victims can pursue compensation for the suffering caused by his actions.

Rockefeller University and Rockefeller University Hospital

As Archibald’s longtime employer, Rockefeller University Hospital and the Rockefeller Institute bear significant responsibility. Internal records show the university notified administrators about complaints decades before any public acknowledgment.

By allowing Archibald to continue seeing child patients and retaining his medical staff privileges and professor emeritus title, the institution enabled Archibald’s behaviors involving inappropriate conduct to continue unchecked. Under both state and federal law, survivors can pursue claims against the hospital for negligent supervision, failure to protect patients, and cover-ups that prolonged the abuse.

Madison Square Boys Club

Survivors allege that Archibald exploited his ties to the Boys Club at Madison Square to target young children. Lawsuits describe how the club failed to protect children from Archibald and other predators by requiring invasive “physicals” before membership and turning a blind eye to abuse. 

As a youth-serving organization, the club can be held liable for enabling childhood sexual abuse under both state law and federal protections for children.

Other Staff and Administrators

Liability may also extend to other hospital physicians, administrators, and medical staff who ignored or downplayed early reports of misconduct. Under New York law, those in positions of oversight had a duty to protect children. Survivors can argue that failure to investigate or report Archibald’s abuse created additional victims and intensified the harm suffered by Archibald’s former patients.

Insurers and Third-Party Defendants

Because the scale of litigation is so large, insurers who covered the hospital and university have also been brought into lawsuits. In fact, Rockefeller University sued more than a dozen insurance carriers in 2019 in an effort to secure coverage for hundreds of pending cases. Survivors may seek compensation through these third parties, ensuring that financial barriers do not block recovery for victims.

What Laws Govern Child Sexual Abuse in New York?

Survivors bringing sexual abuse lawsuits in New York have important legal protections under both state and federal law.

Key provisions include:

• New York Penal Law Article 130 – Defines sexual offenses such as sexual abuse, sexual misconduct, and rape. As of September 1, 2024, the statute modernizes definitions, including “sexual contact.”
• Social Services Law §413 – Requires mandated reporters, such as teachers, medical staff, and counselors, to report suspected child abuse.
• 18 NYCRR Part 432 – Governs how child protective services investigate reports of abuse and neglect.
• Executive Law Article 20 & SSL §488 (Protection of People with Special Needs Act) – Establishes the Justice Center to oversee facilities serving vulnerable populations and defines abuse/neglect.
• Title IX – Prohibits sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, in federally funded education programs.
• Civil Statutes of Limitations (CPLR §208(b)) – Allows child sexual abuse survivors to file lawsuits until age 55, greatly expanding access to justice under the Child Victims Act.

Together, these laws create multiple avenues for survivors to seek justice, hold institutions accountable, and pursue damages for the suffering caused by childhood sexual abuse.

What Damages Can Victims Recover?

Survivors of childhood sexual abuse at Rockefeller University Hospital have the right to pursue full compensation through a sexual abuse lawsuit. The law recognizes both the immediate and lifelong harm caused by Archibald’s abuse and the institution’s failure to protect young patients.

Survivors have a right to fight for the following damages:

Economic Damages

• Medical expenses – Past and future costs of treatment, including physical exams, reconstructive procedures, or treatment for conditions linked to the abuse.
• Therapy and counseling – Ongoing costs for psychological treatment, trauma therapy, and psychiatric medication.
• Lost income and earning potential – For survivors whose trauma disrupted education, career opportunities, or long-term earning capacity.

Non-Economic Damages

• Pain and suffering – Compensation for the deep emotional and psychological impact of being sexually abused as a child.
• Loss of enjoyment of life – Addressing the long-term disruption of relationships, education, and personal development.
• Emotional distress – Recognition of PTSD, anxiety, depression, and the ongoing trauma linked to Archibald’s conduct.

Punitive Damages

In cases of egregious misconduct, courts may award punitive damages to punish institutions that failed to address alleged abuse despite clear warnings. For Archibald’s former patients, this can mean holding Rockefeller University and other defendants financially accountable for negligence and reckless disregard of children’s safety.

How Injury Lawyer Team Can Help

At Injury Lawyer Team, we understand that coming forward after childhood sexual abuse takes extraordinary courage. Many of our clients who survived Archibald’s abuse at Rockefeller University Hospital or the Madison Square Club have told us that pursuing a sexual abuse lawsuit was as much about reclaiming their voice as it was about seeking compensation.

We are here to guide Archibald’s victims through that process with compassion and skill.

Our Services for Survivors

• Confidential case evaluations – Every conversation with us is private, respectful, and without obligation.
• Thorough investigation – We work with experts to investigate medical records, visiting investigators, and trauma-informed professionals to document your experience and strengthen your case.
• Litigation and negotiation – Our team has extensive experience handling sexual abuse lawsuits in New York, including cases against hospitals, universities, and youth organizations.
• Maximizing recovery – From medical costs to emotional harm, we fight for every category of damages available under the law.
• No upfront costs – Our firm operates on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing unless we successfully recover compensation on your behalf.

Consult Our Law Firm

If you or someone you love was a former patient of Reginald Archibald, or if you suffered abuse connected to Rockefeller University Hospital or affiliated organizations, you are not alone. You have legal rights, and time may still remain to file a sexual abuse lawsuit.

Contact Injury Lawyer Team today for a free, confidential consultation. Together, we can discuss your options, explain the legal process, and help you take the next step toward justice and healing.