Hospital sued after employees post ‘horrible’ photos of patients on Snapchat
A nonprofit hospital in Florida is being sued after staff members allegedly took photos of patients without their permission, including when they were sleeping or sedated, and then shared them on social media.
The plaintiffs in the cases, filed separately, are two patients of Jay Hospital—part of Baptist Health—who claim the photos were taken and shared on Snapchat. The alleged incidents happened in February.
Jay Hospital discovered the images before the patients did. According to Joe Zarzaur, the attorney representing one of the patients, his client was offered a lump sum of cash to sign a waiver of liability. However, the plaintiff said they were not shown the photos.
Zarzaur added that hospital administrators described the images as “horrible" but refused to reveal them. Per the complaint, the other patient known to be victimized was given a similar offer.
The number of images taken and shared on social media is as much of a mystery as their content, as Jay Hospital has been mum on specifics. However, Zarzaur’s office said in a statement that four staff members were implicated.
No criminal charges filed
Jay Hospital confirmed those employees had been terminated, and the details were reported to authorities. No arrests or criminal charges have resulted from the social media posts.
Allegedly, the hospital did not address the invasive photographs until recently, several months after they were shared on Snapchat.
Plaintiffs in the lawsuits are seeking damages, having declined the offer to take cash in exchange for signing nondisclosure agreements.
This is a developing story. For additional details, check out coverage from ABC 3 in Pensacola.
Chad is an award-winning writer and editor with over 15 years of experience working in media. He has a decade-long professional background in healthcare, working as a writer and in public relations.