Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital (JHAC), currently facing a $220 million medical malpractice lawsuit filed by Maya Kowalski and her family, presented jurors with photos of the teenager smiling at various events such as prom, homecoming, and Halloween. The lawsuit stems from a series of events that resulted in Maya’s mother, Beata Kowalski, taking her own life following accusations of Munchausen syndrome by proxy. Maya’s attorney, Gregory Anderson, stated that his client’s complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) has worsened during the trial due to stress. However, JHAC’s attorneys argued that the photos contradicted Maya’s claims of being unable to attend court due to a flare-up of her symptoms.
Over the course of nearly six weeks, the jury has heard testimony from experts, as well as Maya’s doctors and nurses at JHAC. The hospital called the child abuse hotline after Beata, a registered nurse, insisted on a high dose of ketamine to treat Maya’s chronic pain in 2016. Previously, the family had informed the hospital that Maya had undergone an experimental ketamine coma in Mexico, which is not approved for treatment in the US. As a result, staff reported Beata for medical child abuse, leading to Maya’s separation from her family for more than 80 days. JHAC’s attorney, Ethen Shapiro, believes the hospital’s intervention was necessary and helped Maya lead a more normal teenage life.
Maya and her family, however, allege that reporting Beata for Munchausen syndrome by proxy and forcibly separating them amounted to false imprisonment, medical malpractice, and emotional distress, ultimately leading Beata to take her own life in January 2017. A doctor who had previously prescribed Maya’s ketamine treatments testified that his regimen was medically sound. In contrast, Dr. Elliot Krane, an emeritus professor of anesthesiology, argued that the experimental treatment was dangerous and illegal in the US. JHAC’s attorney, Howard Hunter, claimed that the hospital believed Maya was given excessive medication, leading to the reporting of Beata out of concern for Maya’s wellbeing.
Maya testified that her symptoms have improved, and she now only takes Claritin for allergies and a sleeping pill. She enjoys activities such as running, swimming, and ice skating. However, she clarified that her smiling photos at events do not prove that she is no longer in pain, as she often hides her symptoms. Maya also mentioned that she had cried for an hour before one of the pictures was taken due to severe leg pain.
The controversy surrounding the photos admitted into evidence has sparked debate during the trial. Maya’s attorney argued against their inclusion, but the defense presented video depositions from Maya, her father, and her uncle. The Netflix documentary “Take Care of Maya” follows Maya and her mother as they navigate her rare neurological condition, and the family is now suing JHAC for the harm caused by reporting Beata for medical child abuse and holding Maya involuntarily.
After closing arguments, Maya’s attorney expressed confidence in the case. The trial continues as the jury deliberates on the claims made by Maya and her family against JHAC.
