Adult film star Emily Willis is showing slow neurological improvement following a catastrophic brain injury, according to a recent update provided by her mother, Yesenia Cooper, to TMZ. The family reached a $3 million settlement in 2026 with the Malibu rehab facility where Willis suffered the injury while being treated for ketamine addiction.
Legal Battle and the $3 Million Settlement
Yesenia Cooper filed a lawsuit in 2024 against Malibu Lighthouse Treatment, alleging the facility failed to properly care for her daughter. The treatment followed Willis’s stay at Summit Malibu earlier that year. According to TMZ reporting, the defendants denied wrongdoing and did not admit liability before agreeing to the $3 million settlement finalized in 2026.
Current Medical Status and Rehabilitation
Willis is currently non-verbal but can communicate using her eyes and by shaking her head, according to her mother. Cooper stated that Willis understands about 80 percent of what is happening around her and is improving day by day. After undergoing more than 10 surgeries, Willis has been receiving treatment from top-tier therapists in Mexico. The family is hoping to travel to Spain next for specialized neurological procedures aimed at stimulating speech, communication, and movement systems.
Did you know? Before suffering a cardiac arrest that left her without oxygen for 30 to 40 minutes, Emily Willis was named Performer of the Year at the 2021 AVN Awards before transitioning to mainstream acting in the sci-fi film Divinity.
Daily Progress and Recovery Milestones
Physical recovery remains an ongoing challenge. Willis is still learning how to walk again and requires assistance with feeding, according to family statements reported by TMZ. However, she has regained the ability to sleep independently and has resumed watching her favorite movies and television shows.
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused Emily Willis’s brain injury?
Willis suffered a cardiac arrest that resulted in 30 to 40 minutes without oxygen while receiving treatment for ketamine addiction at Summit Malibu in early 2024.
Who was sued over the lack of care?
Yesenia Cooper sued Malibu Lighthouse Treatment in 2024, alleging the facility failed to properly care for her daughter. The parties reached a $3 million settlement in 2026, though the defendants denied liability.
What treatments is she currently undergoing?
After more than 10 surgeries, Willis has worked with therapists in Mexico and her family is hoping to travel to Spain for neurological procedures designed to stimulate speech and movement.
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