Hidden Cameras in Bathrooms At Northwell Sleep Center and Rehabilitation Facilities in Great Neck
The Northwell Health lawsuit centers on serious privacy breaches at two medical facilities in Great Neck, New York. Hidden bathroom cameras disguised as fake smoke detectors were allegedly placed at the Northwell Sleep Disorder Center and STARS Rehabilitation of North Shore, secretly recording footage of staff and patients, including minors, without their knowledge.
The unauthorized videotaping occurred between August 2022 and April 2024, during patient visits to the Northwell Sleep Center and the North Shore’s Sports Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Rehabilitation Services. A class action lawsuit now seeks justice and maximum financial compensation for victims.
If you used the Northwell Sleep Center or STARS Rehabilitation during that time, you may be entitled to compensation. Call the Law Firm of Gianni Karmily at (516) 630-3405 (Great Neck) or (516) 614-4228 (Hempstead) for a confidential case evaluation and learn your legal options today.
Why Victims Are Taking Legal Action Against Northwell Health in Great Neck, NY
Victims are pursuing legal action after discovering that hidden cameras were installed near toilets and showers at Northwell’s Sleep Disorder Center and STARS Rehabilitation of North Shore. These were allegedly placed above the toilets by Sanjai Syamaprasad, a prior employee. An investigation began when a co-worker caught Syamaprasad watching video footage of someone using the bathroom on his laptop.
Although Northwell Health was aware that Syamaprasad had allegedly potentially watched thousands of patients and co-workers, the hospital waited over a year before notifying the people who had been recorded (long after the Nassau County District Attorney’s office had recovered key evidence). Notification letters were not mailed until May 2025, leaving patients, employees, and others unaware that their privacy had been violated.
The Northwell Health lawsuit alleges that the hospital committed gross medical negligence, failed to secure private spaces, and delayed disclosure, all in violation of New York law.
How Many People Were Potentially Secretly Filmed At Northwell Centers in New York?
According to one resource, the class action notice, the number of potential victims who were secretly filmed includes
- Sleep Disorders Center: 13,332 individuals
- STARS Rehabilitation of the North Shore, P.L.L.C.: 6,195 individuals
- Northwell Health Physician Partners (NHPP) Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation: 1,353 individuals
Hidden Bathroom Camera Found at Northwell Health Sleep Center and STARS Rehabilitation Center
Hidden Cameras at Northwell Health Sleep Center in Great Neck
Hidden cameras were discovered at the Northwell Health Sleep Disorder Center, located at 155 Community Dr. These were concealed in fake smoke detectors and allegedly installed by a former employee, Syamaprasad, who worked without proper supervision. Patients visiting the Northwell Sleep Center were potentially secretly filmed using the bathroom. This occurred between August 2022 and April 2024, prompting charges, a class action lawsuit, and widespread concerns about patient privacy violations under New York law.
Hidden Cameras at STARS Rehabilitation Near Great Neck
During the same time, hidden cameras were installed in the restrooms at the Northwell Health STARS Rehabilitation facility, located at 145 Community Drive. The devices were allegedly placed by a former employee and positioned to record individuals in private areas used during occupational therapy, sports, physical therapy, and rehabilitation services.
Potential victims include patients, employees, and even minors who used these facilities during that time period, even if they were not notified. These recordings occurred without consent, raising serious legal concerns about privacy violations, medical negligence, and failure to protect individuals receiving medical care.
Is It Illegal to Have Cameras in Bathrooms in New York?
Yes. It is illegal to place cameras in bathrooms in New York under New York Penal Law § 250.45, which prohibits unlawful surveillance in any location where a person has a reasonable expectation of privacy. This includes bathrooms, changing rooms, and private areas, such as those found in the Northwell Sleep Center or STARS rehabilitation facilities.
Secret recording devices were allegedly installed at the Northwell Health Sleep Center and STARS Rehabilitation in Great Neck, leading to felony charges against a former employee. These acts not only violated New York state law but were also a serious breach of privacy. This triggered widespread claims regarding privacy violations and emotional distress for the patients, employees, and visitors who were secretly recorded.
Are There Cameras in Hospital Bathrooms in New York?
No. Cameras are not allowed in hospital bathrooms under New York law, including New York Civil Rights Law § 50 and 51. Any video monitoring inside changing rooms or restrooms is strictly prohibited and considered a serious breach of patient privacy.
In the case of the Northwell Health hidden camera lawsuit, the footage was allegedly captured from bathrooms located within the Northwell Sleep Disorder Center and STARS Rehabilitation facility. This resulted in formal charges and an ongoing class action lawsuit involving claims of unauthorized videotaping, medical negligence, and privacy violations. Under New York criminal and personal injury law, such conduct can lead to both felony convictions and substantial civil lawsuits.
Criminal Investigation Into Former Employee Sanjai Syamaprasad For Unlawful Surveillance at Northwell Health Hospital Facilities
The criminal investigation into Sanjai Syamaprasad, a former employee at Northwell Health’s Sleep Disorders Center and the STARS Rehabilitation Center on Community Drive in Great Neck, New York, involves hidden cameras disguised as fake smoke detectors placed inside restrooms at both the Northwell Sleep Center and the STARS Rehabilitation Center. This began after a co-worker caught Syamaprasad watching private recordings of patients using the bathrooms on his laptop during a shift.
Nassau County Police executed a search warrant at Syamaprasad’s home on April 25, 2024. Investigators recovered digital devices and storage cards containing video footage of five identifiable individuals, one of whom was a minor child.
Syamaprased purchased the equipment on August 2, 2022, but allegedly didn’t videotape it until July 2023.
Liability of Northwell Health for Failure to Disclose
The facility reported the case to Nassau County police on April 23, 2024, and followed instructions from the Nassau County District Attorney’s office to delay notifying patients to avoid compromising the investigation. A search warrant was executed just two days later, and the DA’s office was given key evidence, including devices and video footage. While initially cooperating with the DA’s office, Northwell Health continued withholding notification for over 13 months, ultimately sending letters on May 22–23, 2025, more than a month after Syamaprasad’s public indictment.
While the initial delay was at the request of the DA’s office, Northwell Health extended the silence far beyond what was necessary for the investigation. By waiting over a year to inform the public, a year after evidence was secured by Nassau County police, the defendant prioritized limiting its own liability over timely disclosure.
Over 13,000 letters were sent to potential victims. That extended delay is now a central issue in the case, with plaintiffs alleging that the hospital prioritized its own interests over patient rights and transparency. Additionally, the case has raised broader concerns about civil rights, patient privacy, and medical negligence at licensed healthcare facilities.
Criminal Charges Against Sanjai Syamaprasad in New York Hidden Camera Case
In June 2024, the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office indicted Syamaprasad on five counts of unlawful surveillance in the second degree and two counts of tampering with evidence after allegedly installing and operating hidden cameras inside fake bathroom smoke detectors to secretly record individuals in private spaces without consent at the Northwell Sleep Center and STARS Rehabilitation Center.
He pleaded not guilty to all five counts of criminal charges and was released on his own recognizance while awaiting his court date. If convicted, he faces up to 4 years in prison for each of the five counts.
The Northwell Health lawsuit has now expanded into a class action lawsuit, with victims pursuing legal action for emotional distress, invasion of privacy, and failure to supervise.
This case has become one of the most prominent examples of unauthorized videotaping within a significant New York healthcare system, and law firms with experience representing victims of privacy breaches and civil rights violations are actively involved.
To learn about your legal rights, contact the Law Firm of Gianni Karmily for a confidential consultation.
Who Can File a Claim in the Northwell Hidden Camera Lawsuit
Victims of patient privacy breaches at Northwell Health System locations may be eligible to file a claim in the Northwell Health lawsuit. Those impacted include individuals who visited the following facilities between August 2022 and April 2024, used the bathrooms or changing rooms, and may have been recorded undressing or using the bathroom without consent:
- Northwell Health Sleep Disorder Center
155 Community Dr, Lower Level
Great Neck, NY 11021 - Sports Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Rehabilitation Services of North Shore (STARS Rehabilitation Center)
145 Community Dr
Great Neck, NY 11021
Eligible claimants may include patients, employees, visitors, and parents of minors. Claims involve serious allegations of privacy violations and emotional distress tied to cameras placed in private spaces at these facilities.
What If I Was A Patient Between August 2022 and April 2024 But Didn’t Receive a Notification Letter?
If you were a patient at either the Northwell Sleep Disorder Center or STARS Rehabilitation of the North Shore between August 2022 and April 2024 but did not receive a notification letter, you may still qualify for the civil lawsuit. The 13,000 letters sent were based on internal records, but not all affected individuals may have been identified.
If you used the bathroom or changed clothes at these locations during that time, you should contact the Law Firm of Gianni Karmily in Nassau County, Long Island, to explore your legal options.
Can You Be Forced To Testify in a Civil Case in New York?
Victims participating in the Northwell Health hidden camera lawsuit will generally not be required to testify in court. In class action cases, only a few lead plaintiffs may need to give a deposition, which is a private, recorded interview conducted by attorneys, not a courtroom appearance. For minors, a parent or legal guardian may be asked to provide information on their behalf. The vast majority of plaintiffs will never need to speak publicly, and all participation is handled under strict confidentiality to protect the privacy of victims throughout the process.
How To Join The Northwell Health Class Action Lawsuit
To join the Northwell Health class action lawsuit, eligible victims must take steps to participate. Local attorney Gianni Karmily can explain the process and help determine if you qualify based on when and where you received care.
For a case evaluation, call (516) 630-3405 (Great Neck office) or (516) 614-4228 (Hempstead office) or submit your information through the online contact form.
Compensation for Victims in New York Privacy Lawsuits
Victims in the Northwell Health hidden bathroom camera lawsuit may be entitled to compensation for emotional distress, loss of privacy, medical negligence, and other non‑economic damages. Settlements in similar cases highlight the potential magnitude of compensation for victims:
- In Brenda Pellettieri v. Northwell Health, Inc. (filed October 30, 2024, Kings County), the plaintiff reached a confidential settlement for a lawsuit against Northwell’s Sleep Disorder Center.
- In Jane Doe v. Northwell Health, Inc. (filed May 29, 2025, Kings County), the plaintiff reportedly secured a six‑figure settlement following unauthorized recordings in bathroom facilities.
The Brenda Pellettieri and Jane Doe settlements demonstrate that victims of involuntary recording, particularly those affected by patient privacy breaches in medical care settings, may be entitled to significant compensation. Damages may include compensation for emotional trauma, invasion of privacy, and other harms under New York law. If you believe you were affected, discuss your situation with the Law Firm of Gianni Karmily to learn whether you may qualify to seek a fair settlement.
Statute of Limitations in New York Civil Lawsuits
In the Northwell Health hidden camera case, the time limit for filing a civil lawsuit typically depends on the type of lawsuit and when the victim first discovered the harm. For most cases involving privacy breaches or medical negligence, the statute of limitations is three years under New York CPLR § 214.
However, the defendant didn’t notify patients until May 2025. There are still facts and details coming out of this case that could possibly affect the statute of limitations and how it pertains to this specific case. Because of this, victims are urged to act quickly to preserve their rights, especially if they were unaware of their exposure until they were notified.
How a Nassau County, Long Island Northwell Health Lawsuit Attorney Can Help
A Nassau County, Long Island Northwell Health lawsuit attorney can help determine if you can join the civil lawsuit, explain your rights, and handle the process of filing a claim. An attorney can gather evidence and work to hold Northwell Health responsible for its failure to protect patients. Legal guidance is especially important given the delayed notifications and the sensitive nature of the surveillance.
Nassau County, Long Island Lawyer for Northwell Health Hidden Camera Lawsuit
If you were a patient at the Northwell Health Sleep Disorder Center or STARS Rehabilitation Center between August 2022 and April 2024, you may have been affected by hidden camera surveillance. The delayed notifications, serious privacy violations, and ongoing class action lawsuits raise important legal issues under New York law. To determine eligibility for taking legal action, contact the Law Firm of Gianni Karmily for a confidential case evaluation.
Call (516) 630-3405 (Great Neck office) or (516) 614-4228 (Hempstead office), or submit your information through the online contact form to learn more about your legal options.
