Judge Approves Emily Willis' $3 Million Settlement Over 2024 Rehab Injury

3 articles · Updated · Hollywood Reporter · Jul 24

$3 million in settlement money was approved July 15 by a Santa Monica judge in the lawsuit over Emily Willis' incapacitation after her 2024 stay at Summit Malibu.
Willis, now unable to move or communicate beyond limited eye-opening and grunting, will reportedly receive about $1.26 million after fees, with court approval required because she cannot manage her own affairs.
The family alleged the rehab center failed to respond to visible medical decline during her 21-day, $45,500 ketamine-treatment stay, culminating in her being found unresponsive on Feb. 4 and suffering irreversible brain damage after prolonged oxygen deprivation.
Summit Malibu denied wrongdoing, arguing Willis repeatedly refused medications and outside treatment, while her own lawyer said the case was 'no slam dunk' because it remains unclear whether the facility could have prevented her injuries.
The settlement closes the legal case but leaves unresolved how the former 25-year-old award-winning adult performer emerged from a licensed treatment facility permanently incapacitated.