Emily Willis' family just scored a $3 million settlement after a catastrophic medical emergency at a rehab center left her permanently disabled.
Litzy Lara Banuelos, known in the adult film world as Emily Willis, entered rehab to kick a ketamine addiction but ended up with irreversible brain damage. The incident occurred in 2024 at Summit Malibu, where her brain was deprived of oxygen during treatment. A Los Angeles judge approved the settlement after determining she can no longer manage her own affairs.
Now at 27, Emily is profoundly incapacitated. Court documents reveal she cannot move her body and only occasionally opens her eyes or emits grunts, showing no consistent response to those around her.
Her attorney, James A. Morris Jr., indicated that Emily likely suffers from "locked-in syndrome," a condition where a person remains aware mentally but cannot communicate or move physically.
The settlement was sanctioned by Santa Monica Superior Court Judge Susan Bryant-Deason, addressing claims made by Emily and her mother, Yesenia Lara Cooper. Judicial approval was necessary due to Emily's condition.
The agreement came after Emily's legal team slashed their requested attorney fees from $1.2 million to $1 million.
Morris stated that winning this case was no easy feat. He emphasized the significant injuries Emily sustained but noted that the case was complex and not guaranteed. He mentioned uncertainty about the cause of her medical crisis and whether Summit Malibu could have prevented her injuries, given her fragile state upon entering treatment.
The lawsuit accused Summit Malibu of failing to provide adequate care, claiming Emily suffered permanent physical and cognitive injuries due to an anoxic brain injury. Summit Malibu denied any wrongdoing.
In court filings, the rehab center argued that Emily repeatedly refused medical advice, declined prescribed medications, and rejected recommendations for urgent care or hospitalization. They claimed their staff had no legal authority to compel her to seek outside medical treatment and insisted there was no evidence of negligence on their part.
Cooper's lawsuit alleged that the center's negligence, abandonment, and recklessness directly resulted in her daughter's irreversible brain injury and permanent incapacity.
Before her exit from the adult film industry, Banuelos was a prominent figure, recognized as Penthouse Pet of the Month in May 2019 and winning multiple Adult Video News awards, including Female Performer of the Year in 2021.
