Dr. Reginald Archibald Sexual Abuse Lawsuit | 2026 Latest Updates

Dr. Reginald Archibald, a Rockefeller University Hospital pediatric endocrinologist who died in 2007, is accused of sexually abusing children during medical exams. Plaintiffs say Rockefeller University and Madison Square Boys & Girls Club knew or should have known. Survivors have filed individual and group suits under the Child Victims Act in New York Supreme Court, New York County. No MDL has been formed. Madison Square exited bankruptcy with a $22 million plan on July 28, 2023. Courts have made no finding on liability, though two motions to dismiss were denied.

Latest Dr. Reginald Archibald Sexual Abuse Lawsuit Updates

June 9, 2025: Court Denies Motion in R.F. Case

The Supreme Court, New York County denied Madison Square Boys & Girls Club’s motion to dismiss in R.F. v. Madison Square Boys & Girls Club, Index No. 950061/2020 [1]. The Child Victims Act case alleges negligence and abuse in 1967. The club must answer the complaint. Justice Sabrina Kraus set a virtual preliminary conference for July 29, 2025. The action had been stayed until spring 2025.

January 2, 2025: Court Denies Dismissal in M.H. Case

Justice Alexander M. Tisch denied Madison’s motion to dismiss the M.H. case against Rockefeller University, Index No. 950206/2020 [2]. The case alleges abuse by Dr. Archibald from 1978 through 1987. The complaint says Madison referred children to him for medical exams. The court ordered the parties to proceed with discovery.

July 28, 2023: Madison Square Club Exits Bankruptcy

Reuters reported that a bankruptcy judge approved the club’s plan to exit Chapter 11 [3]. The plan includes a $22 million settlement for about 140 abuse claims. Some 97% of claimants supported the plan. Rockefeller University agreed to contribute $150,000. The club had filed for Chapter 11 in June 2022, nearly all of the claims stemming from Dr. Archibald.

August 5, 2020: Group Claim for 80 More Accusers

The Poughkeepsie Journal reported a group claim for 80 individuals filed in New York County Supreme Court under the Child Victims Act [4]. It was filed for people who say Dr. Archibald abused them as children. The claim followed 53 lawsuits with 134 plaintiffs against Rockefeller University filed since August 2019. That count did not include the new filing.

August 31, 2019: Hospital Reported to Resolve over 200 Cases

The New York Post reported that Rockefeller University Hospital had “resolved” cases for more than 200 people, according to their attorneys [5]. The report came two weeks after the Child Victims Act look-back window opened on August 14, 2019. The attorneys shared no details, so the terms were not disclosed.

October 18, 2018: Former Patients Accuse Dr. Archibald

The New York Times reported that 17 former patients said Dr. Archibald abused them [6]. They said they were children when the abuse happened. Rockefeller University Hospital said it first learned of credible allegations against him in 2004. In an October 5, 2018 statement posted online, the hospital said it had evidence of inappropriate behavior. It also set up a fund to provide counseling for the victims.

What Is the Child Victims Act?

The Child Victims Act is a 2019 New York law. According to the bill summary, it revives previously barred actions over child sexual abuse and lets a civil action be brought before the victim turns 55 [7]. The group and individual suits over Dr. Archibald against the hospital and the club were filed under this law, which applies to both people and organizations.

Who May Be Affected?

People treated as children by Dr. Archibald at the Rockefeller University Hospital endocrine clinic may be affected. So may people who saw him through Madison Square Boys & Girls Club physicals and programs. Plaintiffs in the R.F. case allege he received patient referrals from other hospital-affiliated physicians and youth-serving organizations. CBS News reported that he worked at the hospital from the 1940s until 1982 [8]. Former patients describe being as young as 6 and as old as 17, according to the Times. Your own dates, places and records decide whether you may have a claim, and an individual legal review looks at them.

Reported Injuries or Damages

Plaintiffs allege sexual abuse during medical exams, including fondling, masturbation and photographs taken without medical justification. The court has not ruled on these allegations. NPR reported that a law firm hired by the hospital found certain allegations credible [9]. In May 2019, a report by the same firm went further. The Poughkeepsie Journal quoted that report as saying it was “clear” that Dr. Archibald engaged in acts of sexual misconduct and sexual abuse toward many pediatric patients.

Evidence to Preserve

Keep any records that may show your contact with Dr. Archibald and the harm that followed:

• Medical records and patient files from Rockefeller University Hospital, such as visit dates and clinic notes.
• Madison Square Boys & Girls Club membership, camp or physical exam records, such as cards and schedules.
• Letters from the hospital, including any 2018 letter to former patients, and any replies you kept.
• Photographs, diaries or personal notes about visits, dates, places and who sent you to Dr. Archibald.
• Names of anyone you told about the abuse, and any messages or letters you shared with them.
• Therapy or counseling records, plus bills for any treatment related to the abuse.

Filing Deadlines

Filing deadlines come from state law. They vary with where you live and when the abuse and your awareness of its harm happened. Abuse from decades ago can still be time-barred if the window for a survivor’s claim has closed. Please talk with a lawyer soon about the time limit that fits your situation.

Potential Compensation

If a claim succeeds, damages in child sexual abuse cases may include medical and counseling costs, emotional distress, loss of income and pain and suffering. The Madison Square plan is a bankruptcy plan and no verdict was issued. It is In re Madison Square Boys and Girls Club Inc, No. 22-10910. The $15 million sale of its Brooklyn Navy Yard clubhouse provides the bulk. The club adds $2.225 million in cash and a $5 million note. Compensation amounts vary by case. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Each person’s records and facts shape any potential compensation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who Was Dr. Reginald Archibald?

Reginald Archibald was a pediatric endocrinologist who treated approximately 9,000 children over his 40 years at Rockefeller, according to the Poughkeepsie Journal. He died in 2007. Plaintiffs allege he abused children during medical exams.

What Have Former Patients Said About the Abuse?

Former patients have described the abuse publicly. Matt Harris, a former patient of Dr. Archibald, told The New York Times that “you are robbed of knowing what’s real and what’s not real.”

Did Rockefeller University Hospital Contact Former Patients?

Yes, Rockefeller University Hospital sent letters in September 2018 to as many as 1,000 former patients, asking about their contact with Dr. Archibald. The Times reported the mailing, and NPR said the hospital sent the letters the month before its statement.

When Did the Filing Window for Abuse Claims Close?

The filing window for abuse claims opened on August 14, 2019, and the deadline to file was later extended to August 2021, according to the New York Post and the Poughkeepsie Journal. That window covered claims against individuals and organizations.

References

1. https://www.nycourts.gov/reporter//pdfs/2025/2025_32151.pdf
2. http://www.nycourts.gov/reporter/pdfs/2025/2025_30063.pdf
3. https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/nyc-youth-club-exit-bankruptcy-with-22-mln-sex-abuse-settlement-2023-07-28/
4. https://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/story/news/local/2020/08/05/lawsuit-80-more-abuse-accusers-filed-against-rockefeller-hospital/5575670002
5. https://nypost.com/2019/08/31/child-victims-act-lawsuits-pile-up-as-rockefeller-university-hospital-settles-200-plus/
6. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/18/nyregion/dr-reginald-archibald-rockefeller-abuse.html
7. https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2019/S2440
8. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/dr-reginald-archibald-rockefeller-university-hospital-physician-child-sex-abuse-patients/
9. https://www.npr.org/2018/10/19/658717456/new-york-hospital-says-it-knew-of-sexual-misconduct-by-pediatric-doctor