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A major construction project in West Islip is drawing criticism and legal action from local homeowners who say the work has caused serious and expensive damage to their properties.
Helen Jones, a longtime resident, is one of 33 plaintiffs in a lawsuit filed against Good Samaritan University Hospital. She says the vibrations from nearby excavation work have left her home of 40 years nearly unrecognizable.
“Cracks in almost every single wall, of every single room,” Jones said, as she tearfully walked through the damage.
She pointed out cracked cement, misaligned cabinets, doors that no longer close properly and a shed that holds deep personal value.
“The shed outside was like the last thing my husband did. He was so proud of that shed, and now the whole cement base underneath is cracked,” Jones said, visibly emotional.
Jones says the total damage to her property is estimated at $200,000 — a burden made even harder by her disability.
A spokesperson from Catholic Health released a statement emphasizing that the construction includes two distinct projects - the Patient Care Pavilion and a separate FEMA-funded flood resiliency initiative. According to the statement, the allegations in the lawsuit pertain only to the FEMA-funded project and not the Pavilion itself, which is expected to open in December.
"We are limited in what we can share publicly due to ongoing litigation," the statement read. "However, we remain focused on addressing concerns constructively and continue to engage openly with the community."
For Jones and her neighbors, the legal process is now underway. But for many, the goal is simple: repair the damage and reclaim their homes.
