The family of former adult film star Emily Willis has been awarded a $3 million settlement from Summit Malibu, the luxury rehabilitation center where the performer suffered permanent brain damage following a medical emergency in early 2024.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Susan Bryant-Deason approved the payout in July 2026 on behalf of Litzy Lara Banuelos, professionally known as Emily Willis. Now 27, Banuelos has been left profoundly incapacitated since the incident and requires full-time care.
Banuelos entered Summit Malibu on Jan. 27, 2024, seeking treatment for ketamine addiction. According to court filings, she experienced concerning symptoms including dehydration, tremors and disorientation during her stay. On Feb. 4, staff found her unconscious after what was described as a cardiac arrest or respiratory emergency, resulting in an anoxic brain injury from prolonged oxygen deprivation.
Her mother and legal guardian, Yesenia Lara Cooper, filed a negligence lawsuit in December 2024 against the facility and its parent company, Malibu Lighthouse Treatment Centers, LLC. The suit alleged failures in monitoring, timely intervention and overall standard of care contributed directly to Banuelos’ irreversible condition.
Willis, who earned major recognition in the adult industry including AVN Female Performer of the Year in 2021 and Penthouse Pet of the Month in May 2019, has been described in court documents as effectively “frozen,” occasionally opening her eyes or grunting but unable to consistently respond or communicate. She is not expected to regain meaningful function.
Summit Malibu denied any wrongdoing in the case, arguing that Banuelos arrived in a fragile state due to her addiction issues, refused certain treatments and medications, and that staff provided appropriate monitoring given patient autonomy constraints. The settlement, reached earlier this year and formally approved in July, resolves the claims without an admission of liability from the facility.
Attorney James A. Morris Jr., representing the family, noted in court filings that while the injuries were severe, the case presented evidentiary challenges. Attorney fees were reduced to approximately $1 million, with a significant portion of the net proceeds earmarked for Banuelos’ ongoing medical and custodial care.
The resolution comes as a financial measure of relief for the family amid the tragic circumstances, shining a light on the complexities and risks involved in residential addiction treatment, particularly for high-profile individuals with severe substance dependencies. A formal dismissal of the civil action is anticipated following the judge’s approval.
