Former adult star, Emily Willis’ family wins $3m settlement after rehab left permanently incapacitated

Judge approved agreement after rehabilitation centre denied negligence over catastrophic medical emergency in 2024

Former adult film performer Emily Willis, whose legal name is Litzy Lara Banuelos, has been awarded a $3m settlement after suffering a catastrophic brain injury during a stay at a California rehabilitation facility. The settlement was approved by a Los Angeles judge after the court determined that Banuelos is unable to manage her own affairs because of the severity of her injuries.

Banuelos entered Summit Malibu in 2024 seeking treatment for ketamine addiction. During her stay, she experienced a medical emergency that resulted in an anoxic brain injury, meaning her brain was deprived of oxygen. According to court filings, the injury caused permanent physical and cognitive impairment.

Santa Monica Superior Court Judge Susan Bryant Deason approved the settlement on behalf of Banuelos after reviewing the agreement reached between the parties. Judicial approval was required because her condition leaves her legally incapable of making decisions regarding the lawsuit.

Court documents describe Banuelos as profoundly incapacitated. According to her attorney, she is unable to move her body and only occasionally opens her eyes or makes sounds, without consistently responding to those around her.

The legal action was brought by Banuelos and her mother, Yesenia Lara Cooper. Their lawsuit alleged that Summit Malibu failed to provide appropriate medical care and that negligence, abandonment and recklessness at the facility contributed to the irreversible brain injury.

The rehabilitation centre denied any wrongdoing throughout the legal proceedings. In court filings, Summit Malibu argued that Banuelos repeatedly declined medical advice, refused prescribed medication and rejected recommendations to seek treatment at an urgent care facility or hospital. The centre also maintained that its staff had no legal authority to force her to accept outside medical treatment and stated there was no evidence that employees acted negligently. According to the facility, Banuelos was monitored during her stay.

Attorney James A Morris Jr acknowledged in court filings that the case presented significant legal challenges despite the devastating outcome. He wrote that no one knows with certainty what triggered Banuelos' medical crisis or whether the injuries could have been prevented, given her condition when she entered treatment. He also described the case as far from straightforward rather than an automatic legal victory.

As part of the settlement process, Banuelos' legal team reduced its request for attorney fees from $1.2m to $1m before the agreement received judicial approval.

Before leaving the adult entertainment industry, Banuelos was among its most recognised performers under the professional name Emily Willis. She was named Penthouse Pet of the Month in May 2019 and later received multiple Adult Video News awards, including Female Performer of the Year in 2021.

The approved settlement resolves the civil claims without an admission of liability by Summit Malibu. The agreement brings the lawsuit to a close while providing financial compensation for Banuelos' long term care needs following injuries that permanently altered her life.