On Thursday, the jury found JHACH liable on all claims, awarding the Kowalski family over $260 million in damages.
The hospital was held responsible for causing undue emotional distress to Beata Kowalski leading up to her death and falsely imprisoning Maya. The damages awarded to Maya included compensation for being forced to take inappropriate pictures, enduring 48 hours of video surveillance against her will, and facing unwarranted physical contact with a social worker.
The Road Ahead
Howard Hunter, a lawyer representing JHACH, announced the hospital’s intention to appeal. Hunter cited what he described as “clear and prejudicial errors throughout the trial and deliberate conduct by the plaintiff’s counsel that misled the jury.”
The Kowalski family’s journey through the legal system serves as a cautionary tale about the potential abuses within the healthcare system. “Take Care of Maya” not only sheds light on the struggles of one family but also prompts a broader conversation about the need for accountability and the importance of parent’s rights.
