Former adult star Emily Willis has been awarded a $3 million settlement after being left with life-changing brain damage following a medical emergency at a rehab center.

As previously reported, the 27-year-old's family brought the case against Summit Malibu rehabilitation center after she was found unconscious, suffering a cardiac arrest and "irreversible brain damage" in the 2024 incident, leaving her "permanently disabled".

She had checked into the center seeking treatment for anorexia and weighing 100 pounds, with her lawyer, James A. Morris, Jr, clarifying that she had not sought help from the treatment center for ketamine use as she had stopped using the drug prior to entering the facility.

Willis was found unresponsive in the facility in February 2024, with a lawsuit brought by her mother, Yesenia Cooper, stating that a nurse had performed CPR on her for three minutes until paramedics arrived, and they were able to get a pulse after 30-40 minutes.

Willis pictured in 2023. Credit: Unique Nicole/Getty Images.

How long Willis had been unconscious before she was found was not stated, with Morris adding that Willis had suffered an anoxic brain injury, which led to her being left disabled and paralyzed due to oxygen deprivation.

Now, the case has reportedly reached a settlement with a Los Angeles judge finding that Willis is "no longer capable of managing her own affairs", per the Daily Star.

According to court filings, the former adult entertainer can no longer move her body, and only occasionally opens her eyes or grunts, and can not consistently respond to those around her.

Morris told the outlet that Willis likely has "locked in syndrome", meaning she can not move or communicate but remains mentally aware.

The settlement was approved by Santa Monica Superior Court Judge Susan Bryant-Deason resolving the claim brought by Willis's mother, with judicial approval required due to Willis's condition, per the Independent.

The case was finalized after Willis's legal team reduced their requested attorney fees from $1.2million to $1million.

Emily Willis has been left permanently disabled after the medical emergency. Credit: Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images

Morris said in a court declaration: "Having lived and breathed this case for nearly two years, I can state with confidence that Ms. Banuelos is significantly injured, but that this case was no slam dunk."

He added that the cause of Willis's medical crisis remains unknown, as well as wether Summit Malibu could have prevented her injuries, describing her condition as "fragile" when she entered the treatment facility.

The lawsuit had alleged that Summit Malibu failed to provide appropriate care, and that Willis was left with permanent physical and cognitive injuries from an anoxic brain injury. Summit Malibu denied any wrongdoing.

The rehabilitation center had argued that Willis had repeatedly refused medical advice, declined prescribed medications, and ignored recommendations to attend a hospital or urgent care center.

It added in court filings that staff had no legal authority to force her to seek outside medical treatment, and that there was no evidence that its employees had acted negligently, highlighting that Willis was regularly monitored throughout the day.

Cooper's suit had alleged that her daughter's irreversible brain injury and lifelong disability was a result of the center's alleged negligence, abandonment and recklessness.

Featured image credit: Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images

The family of adult star Emily Willis is reportedly close to reaching a settlement with the Malibu rehabilitation center where she was found unconscious, suffering a heart attack and "irreversible brain damage".

Willis, 27, whose real name is Litzy Lara Banuelo, was left "permanently disabled" after suffering a cardiac arrest while at a rehabilitation center in 2024.

She had checked into Summit Malibu seeking treatment for anorexia and weighing 100 pounds, with her lawyer, James A. Morris, Jr, clarifying that she had not sought help from the treatment center for ketamine use as she had stopped using the drug prior to entering the facility.

Willis was found unresponsive in the facility in February 2024, with a lawsuit brought by her mother, Yesenia Cooper, stating that a nurse had performed CPR on her for three minutes until paramedics arrived, and they were able to get a pulse after 30-40 minutes.

Willis pictured in 2023. Credit: Unique Nicole/Getty Images

How long Willis had been unconscious before she was found was not stated, with Morris adding that Willis had suffered an anoxic brain injury, which led to her being left disabled and paralyzed due to oxygen deprivation.

According to reports, Willis had been experiencing hot and cold chills, tremors, increased heart rate, headaches, and difficulty walking before she was found unconscious in her room.

Cooper filed a lawsuit against Summit Malibu and its parent company, Malibu Lighthouse Treatment Centers, in December 2024, accusing them of "abuse of a dependent adult, professional negligence, negligence and fraudulent business practices."

According to court papers, Cooper's lawyers argued that Willis' "irreversible brain damage and permanent physical and mental incapacity, pain, suffering and emotional distress" was caused "as a direct and proximate result of (Summit Malibu’s) neglect, abandonment, recklessness and negligence in failing to provide care and treatment for Willis."

MyNewsLA.com reports that Cooper has reached a tentative settlement with Summit Malibu, and while the terms of the agreement haven't been shared, the outlet states that "Summit Malibu’s attorneys filed court papers on 24 February with Santa Monica Superior Court Judge Mark A. Young notifying him of a 'conditional' accord in the case brought by Yesenia Lara Cooper, along with the expectation a request for dismissal will be filed by 1 September."

Emily Willis has been left ith "irreversible brain damage". Credit: Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images

It comes after Summit Malibu's lawyers claimed in previous court papers that Willis "had refused to follow medical recommendations and take her medications," claiming that staff had recommended Willis be taken to hospital, but claimed she'd declined to go.

They alleged: "She refused to go to urgent care or the hospital voluntarily, despite being encouraged to do so by (Summit Malibu)."

Willis's lawyer had shared an update on her condition last year, telling The Mirror US: "She remains bedridden due to her neurological injuries."

He confirmed that while Willis - who is being cared for by her mother in Utah - has been left unable to speak, she is able to make noises and can "move her body somewhat".

Morris further disclosed: "Trial is set to take place in Santa Monica on May 6, 2026. We have additional hearings in February."

Morris also previously told PornCrush: "She was in the danger zone the moment she walked through the doors.

"She needed very, very intense medical treatment. They didn’t diagnose that upon entry, nor did they monitor carefully enough how quickly she was digressing."

Featured image credit: Unique Nicole/Getty Images

Former adult film star Emily Willis’ final post prior to suffering a cardiac arrest that left her permanently disabled has recently resurfaced.

Willis, now 26, suffered a cardiac arrest in February 2023 while staying at a California rehabilitation facility. The medical emergency left her with severe neurological injuries, ending her ambitions in the wider entertainment industry and placing her under round-the-clock supervision.

Former Adult Star Remains Bedridden With Limited Movement

According to her attorney, James A. Morris of the Morris Law Firm, Willis continues to suffer from profound neurological impairment.

Willis pictured in 2023. Credit: Unique Nicole/Getty Images.

Morris told The Mirror US that Willis is still bedridden and unable to speak, though she can make sounds and limited movements. She now lives with and is cared for by her mother, Yesenia Lara Cooper, in Utah.

Her family has filed a lawsuit against Summit Malibu, the rehab center where her cardiac arrest occurred, with the lawsuit citing "abuse of a dependent adult, professional negligence, negligence and fraudulent business practices," as reported by The Mirror US. Summit Malibu denies the allegations.

Morris said the case is moving forward: “Trial is set to take place in Santa Monica on May 6, 2026. We have additional hearings in February.”

Final Post Before Cardia Arrest

Before her tragic cardiac arrest, Willis posted one last time on X – promoting her latest feature film, Divinity.

"Divinity is now out in theaters!!" she wrote, linking the website for fans to grab tickets.

According to IMDb, the flick "centers on two mysterious brothers, who abduct a mogul during his quest for immortality. Meanwhile, a seductive woman helps them launch a journey of self-discovery." It currently has a 5.3/10 rating on IMDb.

Possible Diagnosis Still Under Review

Willis’ specific neurological diagnosis has not been publicly confirmed by her representatives. Earlier this year, speculation emerged that she may have locked-in syndrome, a rare condition caused by damage to the brainstem.

Credit: Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images.

While her legal team has not verified this, Morris has acknowledged that it remains "a possibility" under investigation as they await a full medical diagnosis.

Locked-in syndrome is most commonly associated with strokes but can also result from cardiac arrest due to the sudden loss of blood flow to the brain. Patients remain fully conscious yet unable to move or speak, with communication often limited to blinking or vertical eye movements, per Cleveland Clinic.

Medical science expert Dr. Gareth Nye previously described the condition as one in which a patient is “aware of their surroundings and has full consciousness” but is almost completely paralyzed below the neck, according to Dublin Live.

There is no cure, but modern technology allows patients to communicate through eye-tracking devices, offering a path to maintain relationships and daily interactions.

Featured image credit: Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images.

A legal representative for former adult entertainer Emily Willis has given fans a further insight into her health after she suffered a cardiac arrest while at a rehabilitation center in 2024.

The 26-year-old, whose real name is Litzy Lara Banuelo, has been left "permanently disabled" after the medical incident.

Her mother, Yesenia Cooper, filed a legal case against the rehab facility, Summit Malibu, and its parent company, Malibu Lighthouse Treatment Centers, in December 2024, accusing them of "abuse of a dependent adult, professional negligence, negligence and fraudulent business practices".

James A. Morris, Jr, who is representing Emily and her mother, has now shared further details on Emily's current condition amid the family's ongoing legal battle.

He told The Mirror US: "She remains bedridden due to her neurological injuries."

He confirmed that while Willis - who is being cared for by her mother in Utah - has been left unable to speak, she is able to make noises and can "move her body somewhat".

Morris further disclosed: "Trial is set to take place in Santa Monica on May 6, 2026. We have additional hearings in February."

It comes after their latest court hearing took place on September 23, with one of the February hearings cited as a "Hearing on Demurrer - with Motion to Strike", meaning the judge will review the defendant's request to have the complaint against them dismissed, a motion that Summit Malibu filed in late August.

Summit Malibu has denied Cooper's claims of neglect, and stated in their filing that Willis's mom had failed to provide further details regarding the allegations of elder/dependent-abuse in a previous hearing in June, per PornCrush.

Summit Malibu also argued that they did not have the authority to transport Willis to a hospital without her consent, stating in a court document cited by the outlet: "It is undisputed that during her stay, (Willis) had refused to follow medical recommendations and take her medications.

"She refused to go to urgent care or the hospital voluntarily, despite being encouraged to do so by (Summit Malibu)."

In August, Morris had told PornCrush that Summit Malibu had allegedly erred by not recognising that Willis needed immediate hospitalisation when she arrived at their facility in January 2024.

Willis had arrived seeking treatment for anorexia and weighing 100 pounds. He clarified that she had not sought help from the treatment center for ketamine use as she had stopped using the drug prior to entering the facility.

The lawsuit claims that Willis's mental and physical state had deteriorated after entering the facility, with Morris adding: "They should've transferred her to a hospital earlier and let the doctors put a feeding tube in her and treat her properly while she was still (coherent) and speaking and walking.

"Instead, they allowed her to have a say in her medical treatment, which is not what you do with somebody who is in severe health danger. She was in a very brittle place."

Willis was found unresponsive in the facility in February 2024, with the lawsuit stating that a nurse had performed CPR on her for three minutes until paramedics arrived, and they were ab;e to get a pulse after 30-40 minutes.

How long Willis had been unconscious before she was found was not stated, with Morris adding that Willis had suffered an anoxic brain injury, which led to her being left disabled and paralyzed due to oxygen deprivation.

Earlier in the year, Morris had told the Star that Willis had lost even more weight since her injury, and revealed that doctors were discussing whether she was suffering from locked-in syndrome, a rare neurological disorder caused by damage to the brainstem, which leaves the patient conscious but almost entirely paralysed, except for eye movements.

While she was yet to receive a formal diagnosis, he revealed that doctors had considered it a "possibility", but added that they were still awaiting her medical records before they were able to review what the "neurologist in charge had to say about her condition."

Featured image credit: Unique Nicole / Getty Images

Former adult entertainer Emily Willis, whose real name is Litzy Lara Banuelo, remains permanently disabled following a cardiac arrest while at a rehabilitation center in 2024.

At 26 years old, Willis has been left in a state that has drastically altered her life.

Her mother, Yesenia Cooper, has filed a lawsuit against the rehab facility, Summit Malibu, as well as its parent company, Malibu Lighthouse Treatment Centers.

The lawsuit, filed in December 2024, accuses the facility of "abuse of a dependent adult, professional negligence, negligence, and fraudulent business practices."

Legal Insights Into Emily Willis' Condition

James A. Morris, Jr., the legal representative for Emily and her mother, has shed new light on Willis' condition amidst the ongoing legal battle.

Speaking to The Mirror US, Morris shared that the 26-year-old is currently confined to bed due to neurological injuries sustained during the medical incident. "She remains bedridden due to her neurological injuries," Morris confirmed.

Willis pictured in 2023. Credit: Unique Nicole/Getty

While Willis is unable to speak, she can still make noises and has some limited ability to move her body.

Morris explained: "She can move her body somewhat," offering a glimmer of hope amidst the overwhelming challenges she faces.

Willis is currently being cared for by her mother in Utah, as her health condition continues to be a central issue in the family's legal case.

The Legal Battle: Court Hearings and Upcoming Trial

The lawsuit is set to move forward with a trial scheduled for May 6, 2026, in Santa Monica.

Before the trial, additional hearings are set for February 2026.

The latest hearing took place on September 23, 2024, with a key event in February 2026 expected to focus on a "Hearing on Demurrer – with Motion to Strike."

This motion will allow the judge to review Summit Malibu's request to have the case dismissed, a motion they filed in late August 2024.

Summit Malibu, however, has denied the allegations of neglect.

They argue that Emily's mother failed to provide adequate details during a previous hearing in June 2024, particularly regarding the claims of elder or dependent abuse.

Furthermore, Summit Malibu contends that they lacked the authority to transfer Willis to a hospital without her consent, citing in their filing that Willis had refused to follow medical recommendations and take her prescribed medications.

Summit Malibu's response also stated that Willis had declined to seek urgent care or go to the hospital, despite being encouraged to do so by the facility.

Willis suffered a cardiac arrest at the facility in early 2024. Credit: Albert L. Ortega / Getty

Controversial Claims Surrounding Medical Negligence

Emily's legal team has claimed that Summit Malibu's actions were grossly negligent, particularly in failing to recognize the severity of Willis' condition when she first arrived at the facility.

In January 2024, Willis entered Summit Malibu seeking treatment for anorexia, weighing only 100 pounds. According to Morris, Emily had not sought help for ketamine use at the time, as she had stopped using the drug prior to her admission.

Morris claims that the facility failed to address Willis' deteriorating health and should have transferred her to a hospital sooner.

"They should've transferred her to a hospital earlier and let the doctors put a feeding tube in her and treat her properly while she was still (coherent) and speaking and walking," he said.

"Instead, they allowed her to have a say in her medical treatment, which is not what you do with somebody who is in severe health danger. She was in a very brittle place."

Cardiac Arrest and the Aftermath

The situation took a tragic turn in February 2024 when Emily Willis was found unresponsive at the facility.

According to the lawsuit, a nurse performed CPR on her for three minutes before paramedics arrived. After a prolonged attempt to revive her, which lasted 30-40 minutes, paramedics were able to restore her pulse.

Though the exact time Willis had been unconscious before being discovered remains unclear, it is known that she suffered an anoxic brain injury, a condition caused by oxygen deprivation, which has led to her current paralysis and permanent disability.

In 2025, Morris revealed that doctors were concerned that Willis might be suffering from locked-in syndrome, a rare neurological disorder that leaves patients conscious but almost completely paralyzed, with only eye movements being possible.

While Willis has not yet received a formal diagnosis, Morris confirmed that locked-in syndrome is being considered as a potential condition. He added that doctors were awaiting further medical records and a review of her condition by the neurologist in charge.

Featured image credit: Unique Nicole/Getty