When You Use The Toilet At A Business Establishment Or Even At Your Employer’s Place Of Business, You Have Every Right To Expect That There Are No Hidden Cameras and Your Privacy Will Not Be Violated
Recently a client presented to our office after she discovered that the place of her employment had a camera installed (without notice) in a toilet stall that she was using. In a similar case, according to news sources a Virginia family is suing Starbucks over a hidden camera positioned under the sink and pointed at the toilet in a unisex bathroom in Washington, DC. In both cases, it was determined that the camera was on and recording digital images. According to news sources, this was not the first time a camera was found hidden inside a Starbucks restroom. Recently several Pennsylvania businesses were noted to have secret cameras hidden in bathrooms filming employees or other business visitors.
As an experienced catastrophic injury and sexual abuse attorney for over 32 years, it is clear that placing hidden cameras in a bathroom without notice is a complete invasion of privacy and would be considered an abuse beyond the expected normal use and privacy boundaries of a surveillance camera giving rise to legal action for damages.
In general, it is illegal for a business owner or operator to obtain video surveillance in a place of expected privacy. The same constitutes a violation of specific privacy laws. Each state’s law is different with regard to the prohibition of unauthorized installation of security cameras in specific locations. In Pennsylvania, you are entitled to install a security camera in your home for purpose of safety or home security. However, you may not place one in a restroom. Individuals have a right to uninterrupted privacy in areas that they would not normally expect to be observed such as bathrooms or bedrooms.
If you have been the victim of a privacy invasion due to a hidden camera in a bathroom, you are entitled to recover financial damages. The experienced invasion of privacy and catastrophic injury lawyers of Reiff & Bily have successfully represented victims and their families for over 30 years with a successful track record. As always, we offer a free, no obligation consultation. Contact us toll free at 1-800-421-9595 or online at case results.
