[Summary of Associated Press article entitled, “After decades of sex abuse complaints, a NY pediatrician is ordered to pay $1.6B to over 100 women”]
In a powerful and precedent-setting moment for justice, 104 survivors represented by a dedicated legal team—including Anapol Weiss shareholder Kristen Gibbons Feden—secured a historic $1.6 billion in verdicts for sexual abuse perpetrated by a former New York pediatrician.
The 104 plaintiffs, many of whom were children at the time of the abuse, bravely came forward to seek justice for the trauma they endured.
How the Child Victims Act Made the Difference
For decades, these women were unable to pursue legal action due to New York’s previously restrictive statute of limitations on child sexual abuse cases. That changed with the enactment of the New York Child Victims Act (CVA) in 2019.
This groundbreaking legislation created a temporary “look-back window” that allowed survivors—regardless of how long ago the abuse occurred—to file civil claims that had long been barred. The CVA opened the door for survivors of former doctor Stuart Copperman’s abuse to finally be heard in court, decades after the abuse took place.
Without the Child Victims Act, these 104 courageous plaintiffs would have continued to be denied the opportunity for justice. The law transformed their silenced pain into actionable claims, enabling their stories to be recognized in a court of law and leading to one of the largest sexual assault verdicts in U.S. history.
The Associated Press covered this extraordinary outcome, highlighting the significance of the case through Feden’s searing and poignant words:
“For decades, these women were silenced and dismissed. Now, they cannot be ignored.”
With these words, Feden encapsulated the essence of the survivors’ long fight for recognition, accountability, and healing.
This groundbreaking verdict stands as one of the largest ever in U.S. history for sexual assault cases.
Kristen Gibbons Feden: A Relentless Advocate
Kristen Feden has long been a national leader in the fight against sexual violence. She gained national prominence for her role in prosecuting Bill Cosby and her $10.5M verdict on behalf of survivors of singer/entertainer R. Kelly.
As a shareholder at Anapol Weiss, Feden continues to use her platform and legal prowess to champion the rights of survivors. Feden brings compassionate advocacy and courtroom excellence to every case she takes on. Her work in this case reflects her unwavering commitment to justice—not just for individual clients, but for the broader cause of systemic reform and survivor empowerment.
At Anapol Weiss, we are proud to stand with Kristen and the courageous survivors who stepped forward. Their voices—and this landmark outcome—will reverberate far beyond this case, igniting a broader push for reform, safety, and justice across the country.
Full Associated Press article: https://apnews.com/article/pediatrician-sex-abuse-judgments-new-york-cc19f0eeb8090c5ea5c3f1828d61f5a7
