A proposed $100 million class action contains allegations that Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Medical Center and a former patient care director are responsible for a large-scale privacy breach involving hidden cameras in hospital restrooms used by staff, patients, and visitors.
It is alleged that thousands of people may have been affected. Plaintiffs seek damages for invasion of privacy and emotional trauma, and argue that the hospital failed to protect individuals from the ex-employee's alleged misconduct.
According to court filings and related reporting, former patient care director Robert Shrader is accused of secretly placing small cameras in at least two unisex or single?user bathrooms in areas near labor and delivery and a medical-surgical unit at Memorial Hermann The Woodlands.
Maintenance and construction personnel discovered a concealed device in August 2025 during routine work, which led hospital security and law enforcement to uncover additional cameras and digital storage media.
Investigators reportedly recovered more than 300 images or video files, some allegedly showing the suspect installing the cameras and others capturing individuals in various states of undress while using the restrooms.
The class action complaint, led by plaintiffs represented by the Buzbee Law Firm and other counsel in related suits, seeks more than $100 million on behalf of a putative class described as thousands of employees, contractors, patients, guests, and other visitors who used the bathrooms while Shrader was employed at the facility.
Plaintiffs assert claims such as invasion of privacy, intrusion on seclusion, negligent hiring, supervision and retention, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Plaintiffs allege severe embarrassment, anxiety, and ongoing fear that recordings could surface or be shared.
Parallel litigation includes at least one individual nurse suit seeking more than $1 million in damages, in which the plaintiff - identified by initials - describes significant psychological harm from believing she was recorded while using a staff restroom and, in another victim's account, while spending time with a dying family member at the hospital.
Shrader has been charged with multiple criminal counts of invasive visual recording under Texas law, and authorities state that he is seen on some recovered footage placing devices in restroom ceiling tiles.
Reports indicate that SD cards and other media were discovered in his desk and that law enforcement continues to identify victims from the hundreds of images and videos, with expectations that additional affected individuals will come forward as the investigation progresses.
The healthcare organization has publicly condemned the alleged conduct, characterizing it as criminal behavior carried out by a single former employee outside the scope of his job, in violation of hospital policy and without the institution's knowledge.
The organization states that it terminated Shrader, notified law enforcement promptly after the initial discovery, and is cooperating with investigators. It intends to vigorously defend against civil claims that seek to attribute broader institutional liability for the privacy violations.
Source: https://hoodline.com/2025/09/hospital-privacy-horror-shocking-100m-lawsuit-hits-memorial-hermann-the-woodlands-as-ex-employee-accused-of-secret-bathroom-films/
Commentary
How can healthcare employers lower their exposure?
Have a clear, written policy that absolutely bans any recording devices in restrooms, locker rooms, staff changing spaces, on-call sleep rooms, and other areas where there is a strong expectation of privacy – a policy that explicitly tracks federal and state rules that prohibit surveillance in such locations.
Policies should also address personal devices, stating that staff may not place or use cameras or recording apps in any private area under any circumstances, whether for "security," "fun," or personal documentation.
Facilities and security teams should incorporate hidden-camera awareness into routine inspections of bathrooms and changing areas. Do so systematically, including visual checks of ceiling tiles, vent covers, power outlets, decorative fixtures, and other concealment points whenever maintenance or cleaning occurs.
Engineering and IT should review how easy it is today to connect wireless cameras to hospital networks or power sources and tighten controls. Restrict unauthorized wireless access points, monitoring for rogue devices, and securing access to ceilings and wall cavities that adjoin high-privacy spaces.
Staff at every level, including environmental services and outside contractors, should be taught what small cameras and recording devices typically look like, how they are often concealed, and exactly how to respond if they see something suspicious. Include multiple reporting methods if devices are found, including a method that does not require going through a direct supervisor, who might be the source of the problem.
Education should emphasize not only that restroom recording is illegal and grounds for immediate termination, but also that employees, patients, and families have a right to be free from any form of unauthorized observation in private spaces.
Finally, incident response planning should assume that a hidden device might still be discovered despite preventive efforts and should aim to contain losses quickly.
A written protocol should define who is called first, how to preserve the device and any media for law enforcement, how to secure and sweep nearby areas for additional devices, and how to coordinate with privacy, HR, legal, and risk management teams. Make sure notifications, documentation, and potential claims are managed consistently.
