The family of Emily Willis, a porn star, is taking legal action against a rehab center where she was found unconscious, resulting in permanent brain damage. Willis was at the facility for treatment for her ketamine addiction.
According to court records viewed by The Post, Summit Malibu and its parent company Malibu Lighthouse Treatment Centers are accused of committing adult abuse, negligence, and engaging in unlawful, unfair, or fraudulent business practices that led to Willis’ vegetative state.
Known as Litzy Lara Banuelos, the 26-year-old entered the rehab center for her addiction to ketamine, which she was consuming at a rate of 5 to 6 grams per day, as claimed by her family.
Willis’ mother and conservator, Yesenia Lara Cooper, noted that the adult film star appeared underweight at 100 pounds but was never consulted with a dietician.
Cooper filed a lawsuit against Malibu Lighthouse Treatment Centers on Dec. 27, 2024, in Los Angeles County Superior Court.
The Post has reached out to Summit Malibu for comment.
When admitted to the facility on Jan. 27, 2024, Willis was dealing with bladder inflammation, night terrors, anxiety, and PTSD, according to the lawsuit obtained by the Mirror US.
Her health deteriorated during her stay at the private treatment center, where she developed a urinary tract infection, dehydration, and intense pain.
Reports indicate that Willis was denied care from physicians multiple times during her time at the rehab center.
Allegations in the lawsuit suggest that the staff failed to provide safe conditions and proper care to Willis, who was considered a dependent adult, violating the facility’s intake policies.
Willis was found unconscious by a nurse on Feb. 4, 2024, after staying at the facility for just over a week. The nurse immediately called 911 and performed CPR.
Paramedics arrived and continued CPR for 30 to 40 minutes, eventually restoring a heartbeat. However, Willis remained in a coma due to prolonged oxygen deprivation.
The lawsuit also claims that the staff left Willis unattended for extended periods, leading to her being found unconscious.
The suit alleges, “Had the staff followed standard medical protocols, Emily would have had the opportunity to regain control of her life. No patient should ever endure such a breakdown in clinical care. Her health was neglected until it was too late, and now her life is forever altered.”
Following her collapse, Willis suffered a heart attack 26 hours later, resulting in a vegetative state.
Her family asserts that negligence from the staff caused “irreversible brain damage, permanent physical and mental incapacity, pain, and emotional distress,” among other damages.
Willis now has locked-in syndrome, a rare neurological disorder that has left her paralyzed except for her eyes.
She is currently unable to communicate and is receiving care at a facility in Utah.
