‘Take Care of Maya’ trial: $220M lawsuit against Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital

Introduction

The “Take Care of Maya” trial, Kowalski v. Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, centers on a civil lawsuit by Beata Kowalski against the hospital. Alleging wrongful state custody of her daughter, Maya, for 87 days in 2018 and negligence in her care, Kowalski’s case is emotionally charged. Maya was diagnosed with Leigh syndrome, a severe neurological disorder. The hospital’s petition to Florida’s DCF led to Maya’s state custody. Despite legal battles, Maya remained in state care. The trial’s emotional nature, marked by tears and outbursts, has impacted the impartiality of the jury, while the hospital maintains it acted in Maya’s best interests.

Latest Updates on the “Take Care of Maya” trial

On November 7, the jury asked to access financial documents and other documents that they were having trouble finding.

As of November 8, 2023, the trial of “Kowalski v. Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital,” also known as the “Take Care of Maya” trial, is ongoing and the final verdict is pending the jury’s decision. The jury began deliberating on Tuesday afternoon.

Overview of “Take Care of Maya” trial

Plaintiffs’ case

Plaintiffs’ Accusations:

The plaintiffs in the Johns Hopkins Maya trial accuse Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital of several charges, including:

• Medical malpractice
• Battery
• False imprisonment
• Intentional infliction of emotional distress
• Fraud

The family is suing doctors, the Department of Children and Families, and Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital for $220 million dollars in connection to Beata’s death.

Prosecution’s Allegations:

1. The prosecution has accused the hospital of various charges, including:

• Medical malpractice
• Battery
• Maya’s false imprisonment
• Intentional infliction of emotional distress
• Alleged fraud

Plaintiffs’ Rebuttal Case:

The plaintiffs presented evidence and testimony, including:

• Testimony from Maya’s family doctor, Dr. John Wassenaar, who did not observe any signs that Beata would harm her child.
• Evidence indicated that the hospital’s staff lacked education and disregarded the advice of Maya’s treating specialist.

Trial’s Emotional Impact:

The emotional nature of the trial is evident, with Maya’s symptoms of complex regional pain syndrome worsening amid the stressors of the ongoing trial.

Trial Status:

1. The trial has been ongoing for over a month.
2. Both the plaintiffs and the defense have rested their cases.

Upcoming Proceedings:

1. Jurors will hear closing arguments next week.
2. Currently, the case has not reached a verdict.

Defense’s case

Focus of the Defense’s Case:

In the Johns Hopkins Maya trial, the defense has primarily focused on:

• Presenting their version of the events.
• Challenging the validity and sufficiency of the prosecution’s evidence.

Hospital’s Confidence:

The hospital has expressed confidence in their case.

Key Aspects of the Defense’s Argument and Witnesses:

1. The defense argues that the hospital’s staff had legitimate concerns about Maya’s treatment and that they acted in her best interest.
2. The defense presented evidence that Maya’s mother, Beata Kowalski, had a history of medical issues, and the hospital’s staff was concerned that she was making her daughter sick.
3. The defense also presented evidence that contradicted the severity of Maya’s condition as claimed by her mother and challenged the necessity of the high doses of ketamine being administered.
4. The defense called several witnesses, including doctors and nurses who treated Maya at the hospital.
5. The evidence supported the claim that the hospital’s staff followed proper procedures and protocols in reporting their concerns to the authorities.

Controversies that arose during the johns Hopkins maya trial

#CourtroomDrama inside the 'Take Care of Maya' Trial. #ClosingArguments was expected to begin until issues came up around a witness. Closings are now expected to begin Tuesday.#CourtTV What do YOU think? pic.twitter.com/LlHXayyU4o

— Court TV (@CourtTV) November 7, 2023

The prosecution has accused the hospital of several charges, including:

• Medical malpractice
• Battery
• Maya’s false imprisonment
• Intentional infliction of emotional distress
• Alleged fraud.

1. Attorney Mark Zimmerman, who represented Maya when she was at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, expressed concerns about barriers, particularly from social worker Catherine Bedy, that he felt were created to hinder his access to Maya.
2. Lawyers on both sides have presented their closing arguments, and the jury has begun deliberations.
3. Dr. Joseph Corcoran, a policy and procedure expert, told the jury that while the hospital may have passed accreditation, several red flags were raised regarding how the hospital reported problems, complaints, and claims of mismanagement.
4. Sharon O’Leary Johnson, who had been a guardian ad litem volunteer in 2014, noted during her visits with Maya that the hospital’s staff appeared uneducated and refused to listen to Maya’s treating specialist.
5. Medical staff at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital informed the jurors that Maya exhibited behavior such as swearing at them and demanding sedatives when she was brought to the facility in October 2016, describing it as a flare-up from complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS).
6. The family’s attorneys believe that a citation issued to the hospital may be related to an annual report conducted every three years and that Cochran’s testimony could be relevant in contesting the defense’s earlier testimony.

Conclusion

The ongoing Johns Hopkins Maya trial has seen both plaintiffs and the defense resting their cases. The trial, marked by emotion and controversy, features allegations of medical malpractice, battery, false imprisonment, emotional distress, and fraud from the prosecution. The defense presents an alternative narrative, challenging the prosecution’s evidence. The jury has begun deliberations, but no verdict has been reached. The high stakes of the case are evident, as no compensation can replace Maya’s mother. Notably, a Netflix documentary titled “Take Care of Maya” has garnered over 10 million views within a month of release.