The family of former adult star Emily Willis has secured a $3 million legal settlement after the 27-year-old was left with what court filings describe as permanent brain damage following her stay at a California rehabilitation facility.
Willis, whose real name is Litzy Banuelos, became unresponsive while receiving treatment for ketamine addiction at Summit Malibu in February 2024. Two years later, a California court has approved the settlement, with approximately $1.25 million set aside for Willis after legal fees and outstanding liens. Her mother, Yesenia Cooper, will continue serving as her conservator after the court determined Willis remains mentally incapacitated.
According to the lawsuit, Willis entered the Malibu facility on 27 January 2024 seeking treatment after reportedly consuming five to six grams of ketamine a day for around a year. Court documents state she weighed just 100 pounds on admission and was suffering from incontinence and night terrors, but was allegedly not assessed by either a physician or nutritionist.
The complaint further alleges staff failed to respond appropriately as her condition deteriorated over the following week. Medical records cited in the lawsuit documented symptoms including chills, headaches, tremors, an elevated heart rate, night sweats, light sensitivity and declining personal hygiene. Drug screens reportedly returned negative throughout her stay.
On 4 February 2024, Willis was found unconscious in her room. Paramedics performed CPR for between 30 and 40 minutes before restoring her pulse, after which she was transferred to hospital and spent several weeks in intensive care. Despite extensive treatment, doctors were never able to determine the exact cause of the respiratory failure that led to her brain injury.
In a declaration filed with the court, the family’s attorney, James A. Morris, described Willis’ current condition as an irreversible anoxic brain injury.
“She is effectively frozen. She does sometimes open her eyes, but her eyes do not always track movement in the room. She does sometimes grunt.”
The lawsuit accused Summit Malibu of neglect, abandonment, recklessness and negligence, alleging the facility failed to provide the care required despite Willis’ fragile condition and documented medical history, which included depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Summit Malibu denied liability in court filings, arguing that Willis declined repeated recommendations from staff to seek treatment at an urgent care centre or emergency department as her condition worsened. The approved settlement resolves the civil case without an admission of wrongdoing by the facility.
Last modified: July 28, 2026
