Settlement Reached In Emily Willis'S Negligence Lawsuit Against Rehab Center

A Legal Resolution for Emily Willis

There's finally a legal resolution in the case involving former adult star Emily Willis, born Litzy Lara Banuelos. Her attorney has confirmed that a settlement has been reached with the rehab center, Summit Malibu, where a cardiac arrest incident left her permanently disabled. The news comes after a lengthy legal battle initiated by Litzy's mother, Yesenia Cooper, who filed a lawsuit in December 2024 against Summit Malibu and its parent company, Malibu Lighthouse Treatment Centers.

The lawsuit accused the facility of "abuse of a dependent adult, professional negligence, negligence, and fraudulent business practices," claiming their neglect directly resulted in Litzy's permanent disability. According to MyNewsLA, as of March 7, a tentative settlement was finally on the table, confirmed by attorney James A. Morris, Jr., who represents both Emily and her mother.

Inside the Settlement Process

Court documents reveal that Summit Malibu's attorneys filed a Notice of Settlement of Entire Case on February 24, marking the case as "Stay – Conditional Settlement." While the specific settlement conditions remain undisclosed, a dismissal request is expected by September 1, with an Order to Show Cause Hearing scheduled for April 27.

Before this development, Summit Malibu had denied the allegations, arguing in an August 2025 court filing that they couldn't force Litzy to seek medical help against her will."It is undisputed that during her stay, Litzy had refused to follow medical recommendations and take her medications," the filing stated.

“The facility should've recognized the urgency of her situation and transferred her to a hospital,” James Morris said. “She needed proper medical intervention, and this oversight has had devastating consequences.”

A Tragic Turn of Events

Litzy's admission to the rehab center was meant to address her ketamine addiction and anorexia. Her condition deteriorated at the facility, and on February 4, 2024, she was found unconscious. A nurse administered CPR until paramedics arrived and managed to detect a pulse after 30-40 minutes.

According to the lawsuit, this resulted in an anoxic brain injury, causing her irreversible brain damage and permanent incapacity. The complaint detailed the physical and mental decline Litzy suffered, attributing the facility's neglect as the direct cause of her tragic outcome.