Hartford — An East Hartford family that was spied on while showering at Hammonasset Beach State Park in 2011 has received permission to sue the state of Connecticut for negligence.

State Claims Commissioner J. Paul Vance Jr. determined the state may have caused damage to Kim Smith by failing to fix holes that existed for years in the shower stall.

Vance also ruled there's enough evidence to support a claim of "bystander distress" by Smith's husband Craig, who arrived to learn his wife and daughters, ages 6 and 3 at the time, had been watched through a peep hole by two men employed by the park.

The commissioner's decision was obtained Thursday by The Associated Press.

Smith's lawyer says he'll file a lawsuit next week.