Northwell Health Hidden Camera Lawsuit Settlement

A disturbing privacy scandal has rocked Northwell Health after a former employee was charged with secretly recording people in bathroom facilities at the system’s Sleep Disorder Center and Stars Rehabilitation Center in Nassau County.

According to a newly filed class action lawsuit, the hospital failed to inform patients and staff for nearly a year after the recordings were discovered in April 2024.

The employee, Sanjai Syamaprasad, allegedly installed fake smoke detectors equipped with hidden cameras inside bathrooms, some directly above toilets. The devices were attached with Velcro and went undetected until another staff member caught Syamaprasad watching footage of a person using the bathroom on his laptop.

It gets worse. Despite uncovering the illegal surveillance last year, Northwell Health did not notify affected individuals until May 2025. An estimated 13,000 letters were mailed to patients and employees who the recordings may have impacted. The Northwell hidden camera class action lawsuit alleges that Northwell committed gross negligence, failed to safeguard private areas, and did not provide timely disclosure.

Syamaprasad is facing five counts of unlawful surveillance and evidence tampering.

Our law firm is speaking with victims about both the class action lawsuit and individual personal injury claims.  Our goal is to maximize compensation for our clients and to make the process as painless as possible for you (which includes protecting your privacy).  Call us today at 800-553-8082 or get a free online consultation.

What Happened?

In April 2024, a staff member at Northwell Health’s Sleep Disorder Center and Stars Rehabilitation Center in Nassau County made a disturbing discovery: a co-worker, Sanjai Syamaprasad, was allegedly watching video footage of someone using the bathroom on his work-issued laptop.

This was not an isolated act. According to Nassau County Police, Syamaprasad had allegedly installed fake smoke detectors embedded with hidden cameras in multiple bathrooms throughout the facility. These devices were attached with Velcro, including some positioned directly above toilets.

Despite discovering the cameras in April 2024 and launching a criminal investigation, Northwell Health did not notify potential victims until more than a year later. A year. Letters were sent to approximately 13,000 individuals in May 2025, raising serious concerns about transparency, patient safety, and legal liability.

Details of the Class Action Lawsuit Against Northwell Health

The lead plaintiff is a former employee and patient at the facility, who described feeling “stunned and betrayed” upon learning she had likely been filmed in a restroom.

Key allegations in the lawsuit include:

• Negligence and failure to supervise employees

• Failure to inspect and secure private areas

• Failure to warn or timely notify victims

• Infliction of emotional distress

The class action lawsuit targets both Northwell Health and Syamaprasad, although the financial recovery would come from Northwell, obviously. The hospital says that it revoked Syamaprasad’s access and cooperated with law enforcement and that is likely true. But our lawyers believe that absolutely does not excuse a year-long delay in notifying victims and letting this go on for so long in the first place.

Criminal Charges Against Sanjai Syamaprasad

Syamaprasad, age 47, has been charged by the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office with:

• Five counts of Unlawful Surveillance

• Tampering with Evidence

Prosecutors allege that he began using the hidden cameras as early as August 2022. The full duration of the recordings and what happened to the video files remains unclear. Victims and attorneys are particularly concerned that footage may have been shared, stored, or leaked.

How Many People Were Filmed?

According to the notification letters sent by Northwell Health, approximately 13,000 individuals may have been recorded without consent. So our attorneys expect there will be a large number of claims. This figure includes patients, employees, and possibly vendors or contractors who used the bathroom facilities during Syamaprasad’s time at the facility.

The large number reflects the high volume of foot traffic through Northwell’s Sleep Disorder and Rehab Centers, which offer outpatient services and therapy sessions on a regular basis.

Why Did It Take a Year to Notify Victims?

This is one of the most troubling parts of the story. The surveillance was discovered in April 2024. The notification letters were not sent until May 2025. Why the delay?  It is pretty obvious, right?  It certainly seems like the hospital wanted to sweep the whole thing under the rug.

Northwell Health has said it cooperated with the Nassau County District Attorney’s investigation, but the delay in communication is one of the central allegations in the civil lawsuit. Plaintiffs argue that the hospital had a legal and moral obligation to notify victims immediately.

Many victims say they now fear using public bathrooms, changing rooms, and even private medical offices. Several have described long-term emotional distress and feelings of humiliation.

Potential Compensation in the Northwell Surveillance Lawsuit

Because this is a class action lawsuit involving serious privacy violations, any future settlement or verdict could involve:

• Emotional distress damages

• Compensation for loss of privacy

• Reimbursement for therapy or mental health treatment

• Punitive damages (in cases where gross negligence is proven)

Similar class actions involving hidden surveillance in restrooms, dressing rooms, and hospitals have led to six- or seven-figure settlements when institutions failed to protect individuals from known dangers or failed to act quickly after discovering misconduct.

The presence of a delayed notification and the sensitive nature of the footage may increase the potential payout in this case.

Examples of Individual Settlement Amounts in Hidden Camera Lawsuits

Several high-profile privacy invasion and hidden camera cases provide useful, if imperfect, benchmarks for estimating potential settlement values in similar litigation. One of the most well-known examples is the case against Johns Hopkins Hospital involving Dr. Nikita Levy. In 2014, the hospital agreed to a $190 million settlement after it was revealed that Dr. Levy had secretly recorded thousands of women during gynecological exams using a pen camera. Approximately 8,000 women received compensation, with average payouts estimated around $23,750. The distribution varied based on psychological trauma assessments, resulting in some awards being significantly higher than others.

In a separate case in New York,  A woman was awarded $2.78 million by a jury after discovering that her employers had installed a hidden camera in a smoke detector in her bedroom. The jury awarded $780,000 for emotional distress and an additional $2 million in punitive damages. This case, involving a single victim, underscores how severe emotional harm and egregious conduct can lead to substantial individual awards.

Another instructive case is Robbins v. Lower Merion School District, in which school-issued laptops were used to photograph students in their homes without consent. The resulting $610,000 settlement included $175,000 for the lead plaintiff and $10,000 for another student, with the remainder going to legal fees. Though the surveillance was not sexual in nature, the invasion of privacy was still serious enough to warrant significant financial relief.

While each of these cases is unique, they demonstrate a consistent principle: when institutions fail to prevent or address covert surveillance in private settings, the resulting lawsuits can lead to meaningful compensation. Plaintiffs in newer hidden camera cases should temper settlement amount expectations, as outcomes depend on factors such as severity, scope, proof of harm, and public sympathy. That said, these examples show that per-person awards can range from $10,000 to well over $2 million, depending on the circumstances.

Do I Qualify for a Lawsuit Against Northwell Health?

If you received a notification letter from Northwell Health in May 2025, you are likely part of the potential class in the lawsuit. However, even if you did not receive a letter, you may still qualify if:

• You were treated at the Sleep Disorder Center or Stars Rehabilitation Center between August 2022 and April 2024

• You used the bathroom facilities during your visit

• You were an employee, visitor, or patient during that time

Class action attorneys are reviewing claims from patients and staff who may have been unknowingly recorded in private settings.

Talk to a Lawyer About the Northwell Hidden Camera Lawsuit

Our legal team is now reviewing potential claims related to this shocking hidden camera scandal. If you believe you may have been recorded at a Northwell Health facility, or if you are unsure and want your rights explained, contact us today.

There is no cost to speak with a lawyer, and you may be entitled to significant compensation.

Our law firm is representing victims in both the class action and potential individual personal injury lawsuits. Our lawyers are focused on two goals: maximizing settlement compensation while making the process as easy and stress-free as possible. If you believe you may have a claim, call us today at 800-553-8082 or get a free online consultation.