It’s been almost a year since we almost lost Emily Willis.

Her family is now suing a Malibu rehabilitation center after what was meant to be a place of recovery that ended turned into a devastating ordeal for 25-year-old Emily Willis.

If you can’t trust the very place that is meant to be taking care of you, who can you trust?

The former adult star entered the facility in January 2024, seeking help for what some sources are calling a “severe ketamine addiction.” Less than a month later, she suffered a cardiac arrest that left her with irreversible brain damage.

Emily Willis, who weighed just 80 pounds at the time of her admission, was battling significant health challenges, including night terrors, bladder issues, and the physical toll of substance abuse. Her family entrusted the rehab facility with her care, but their trust was met with what they allege was gross negligence.

At 5 feet 5 inches tall, her ideal weight should be between 113 and 138 pounds. So, she was seriously underweight, with a BMI of 13.3.

The incident occurred in February 2024 when a nurse practitioner found Willis unresponsive at the facility. Emergency CPR efforts began immediately and continued for 30 to 40 minutes until paramedics arrived. Despite these efforts, prolonged oxygen deprivation caused severe brain damage, leaving Willis semi-conscious and unable to speak or move.

The lawsuit filed by Willis’ family describes a series of failures by the rehab center’s staff. Attorney James A. Morris Jr., representing Willis and her mother, asserts that clear warning signs of Willis’ deteriorating health were ignored. These included frailty, dehydration, disorientation, and difficulty walking.

“Had the staff followed standard medical protocols, Emily would have had the opportunity to regain control of her life,” Morris said. “No patient should ever be subjected to such a horrendous breakdown in clinical care. Her health was ignored until it was too late, and now her life is forever changed.”

One particularly troubling detail in the lawsuit alleges that the decision to seek urgent medical care was left to Willis herself despite her inability to advocate for her own well-being.

Now residing in a care home in Utah, Willis has regained some level of consciousness but remains unable to communicate or live independently. Her family has taken on the role of her caregivers and legal advocates, determined to hold the facility accountable for what they call a preventable tragedy.

The lawsuit accuses the rehab center of gross negligence and calls for systemic reforms to prevent similar outcomes for other patients. It highlights the need for stricter oversight and better protocols for vulnerable individuals seeking treatment in such facilities.

“We hope this lawsuit will spur real change in how treatment centers handle critical cases,” Morris stated. “Too many patients who should receive life-saving interventions are being lost to negligence.”

The case underscores broader concerns about the standards of care in addiction treatment centers, particularly those serving individuals with complex medical and psychological needs.

Emily Willis’ story serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by those seeking recovery. Her family’s legal action is not only a fight for justice but also a plea for reform in an industry often criticized for inconsistent care standards.

In the meantime, Emily Willis’ multi-million defamation case against porn star Gianna Dior continues to make its way through the court.

Willis’s mother, Yesenia Lara Cooper, has been appointed as the emergency guardian and conservator for Willis. This means that Emily Willis’ mother will act on her behalf and continue the fight for her daughter’s legal rights.