Slater Slater Schulman LLP Files Lawsuits on Behalf of Over 400 Victims of Hidden Camera Surveillance at Northwell Health Facilities

Employee Used False Smoke Detectors to Record Patients and Visitors in Bathrooms and Changing Rooms for Nearly Two Years

NEW YORK, Sept. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Northwell Health and its affiliated entities are being named in multiple civil complaints alleging negligence that enabled the secret recording of over 400 patients and visitors, including children, while they were undressed in bathrooms and changing rooms at two Long Island medical facilities. As alleged in the complaints, the healthcare system failed to detect and prevent unlawful surveillance that continued for nearly two years, despite numerous warning signs that should have alerted management to suspicious activity. The lawsuits were filed in Nassau County Supreme Court by attorneys at Slater Slater Schulman LLP, a leading, full-service law firm with decades of experience representing survivors of traumatic and catastrophic events.

According to the complaint, from early August 2022 through late April 2024, Sanjai Syamaprasad was a licensed sleep technician employed by Northwell Health. According to the facts in his separate felony criminal case in Nassau Court Supreme Court, Syamaprasad installed hidden video cameras inside false smoke detectors throughout staff and patient bathrooms and changing rooms at the Northwell Health Sleep Disorders Center and STARS Rehabilitation in Great Neck, during which time thousands of patients, including children, were recorded without their knowledge or consent while in states of undress.

In July, Syamaprasad pleaded guilty to five counts of Unlawful Surveillance in the Second Degree and two counts of Tampering with Physical Evidence. He is expected to be sentenced to five years probation as part of a pre-negotiated plea. 

"The mediocre sentence in this criminal case doesn't even amount to a wrist slap – it's a complete miscarriage of justice," said Adam Slater, Founding and Managing Partner of Slater Slater Schulman LLP. "The only way that the victims of Northwell Health Sleep Disorders Center will ever receive true justice is through the civil courts. While Northwell's carelessness represents an egregious breach of patient privacy and trust, Slater Slater Schulman LLP has a very strong track record of achieving results for patients who have been harmed by medical institutions."

In December 2021, Slater Slater Schulman LLP was the first law firm to reach an agreement with Columbia University and NewYork-Presbyterian on behalf of patients of convicted gynecologist Robert Hadden. This advocacy resulted in the creation of a $71.5 million compensation fund for 79 Slater Slater Schulman clients. As stated in the complaints filed by Slater Slater Schulman in Nassau County Supreme Court, despite discovering the unlawful surveillance in April 2024, Northwell Health waited more than a year before notifying potential victims, only sending notification letters in late May 2025. This delay prevented victims from taking timely action and caused additional emotional distress when they learned of the violations.

The lawsuits, filed in Nassau County Supreme Court, allege multiple counts of negligence against Northwell Health entities, including negligent hiring, training, retention, and supervision of Syamaprasad. The complaints assert that Northwell Health failed to maintain adequate security measures, conduct proper background checks, and implement policies to prevent such conduct despite having statutory duties under HIPAA and other regulations to protect patient privacy and confidentiality.

Survivors report severe emotional trauma, including anxiety, depression, feelings of violation, loss of trust in medical professionals, and trauma when using public facilities or visiting healthcare providers.

NOTE: Individuals seeking to be linked to resources for sexual assault survivors can call 800.656.HOPE (4673) to be connected with a trained staff member from a sexual assault service provider in your area. The National Sexual Assault Hotline operated by RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) provides confidential support from trained staff members and can assist with finding local healthcare resources, help talk through what happened, and offer referrals for long-term support.

About Slater Slater Schulman LLP

Slater Slater Schulman LLP is a leading, full-service law firm with decades of experience representing survivors of traumatic and catastrophic events. Our dedicated attorneys are committed to ensuring the best results for our clients through persistence and compassionate representation. With 11 offices in 10 states, Slater Slater Schulman has achieved successful resolutions in some of the most challenging cases in the nation. We have considerable experience with complex, historical sexual abuse cases involving massive institutions, including academic, religious, and youth organizations. Our firm also represents clients in litigation involving pharmaceutical drugs, product liability, environmental law, employment and labor law, medical malpractice, and personal injury, and has proudly represented thousands of World Trade Center survivors. Learn more at sssfirm.com.

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SOURCE Slater Slater Schulman LLP