A Florida jury awarded more than $200 million in damages to the family of Maya Kowalski, who alleged in a 2018 civil suit that the actions of staff at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital caused emotional distress on her daughter and her mother, Beata Kowalski. The extent of the damages owed to the family is still being resolved in court, but jurors have awarded the Kowalski’s at least $211 million. This comes after the Kowalski family were awarded damages of over $250m by the court, which found that the hospital wrongfully separated Maya from her mother, who later took her own life. Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital was found liable for all civil claims in the “Take Care of Maya” Trial, and the jury preliminarily awarded the Kowalski family $211, 451, 174. The same jury then awarded the family an appeal.
The Kowalski family received a total of $261 million in compensatory and punitive damages to make up for their loss and to punish the hospital. AndersonGlenn LLP, who represent Maya and her family, has launched a lawsuit against Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital and will be putting forward the case. The court entered an order on Jan. 13 discharging Maya Kowalski from the hospital to her father’s custody.
The Kowalski family brought the case to Florida court, where Maya’s lawyers claimed that the hospital’s actions had a devastating effect. The trial finally concluded when a Florida jury found the hospital liable on all counts and awarded the family $211 million. The Kowalski family filed the lawsuit against Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital and the Department of Children and Families seeking $55m in damages.
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| ‘Take Care of Maya’ trial: Judge lessens damages for … | ‘Take Care of Maya’ trial: Judge lessens damages for Kowalski family, rejects new trial in case … did not ‘go off the rails.’ The attorneys … | fox13news.com |
| ‘Take Care of Maya’ Family Awarded $261 Million in Court | The court entered an order on Jan. 13 discharging Maya Kowalski from the hospital to her father’s custody. Ms. Anderson said on Friday that the … | nytimes.com |
| ‘Take Care of Maya’ Trial, Kowalski v. Johns Hopkins All … | UPDATE: A judge reduced the judgment for the Kowalski family from Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital by more than $47 million. | courttv.com |
📹 Maya Kowalski family awarded $261M
The jury found Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg liable on seven claims and two punitive charges.
What Happened In Kowalski V Johns Hopkins All Children'S Hospital?
In the case of Kowalski v. Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, a historic jury award exceeding $200 million was significantly reduced by a judge. The jury found the hospital liable for the mistreatment of 10-year-old Maya Kowalski and the suicide of her mother, Beata Kowalski. The jury, featured in the Netflix documentary "Take Care of Maya," ruled in November 2023 that the hospital was responsible for several offenses leading to Beata's death in January 2017.
After 87 days in state custody, Beata, who had been wrongfully separated from her daughter, took her own life. The Kowalski family had filed a lawsuit seeking $220 million, accusing the hospital of falsely implying Beata was abusing Maya.
Following an eight-week trial, the jury awarded the family about $261 million in compensatory and punitive damages, but this was later reduced by Judge Hunter Carroll—remitting nearly $47. 5 million due to the assessment of excessive damages. The judge affirmed the jury's findings and the hospital’s liability for all civil claims related to the case. In response, Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital plans to appeal the jury's damage award, which highlights the serious implications of alleged medical malpractice and the consequences of systemic failures within healthcare settings.
Did The Kowalski Family'Revisionist History'?
In closing statements, Greg Anderson, lead counsel for the Kowalski family, criticized the hospital’s defense as "revisionist history," which sought to shift blame for Maya’s mistreatment onto the family. A Florida jury awarded the Kowalski family over $200 million in damages related to claims against Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. The case stemmed from a 2016 incident where the Florida Department of Children and Families investigated the family and separated 10-year-old Maya from them.
Maya, now 17, was alleged to have been "imprisoned" by the hospital during this time. Judge Hunter Carroll later reduced the total damages from $261 million to $213. 5 million while denying the hospital’s request for a retrial. The court’s decision, influenced by perceptions of the hospital's ethical and systemic failures leading to Beata Kowalski’s death, underscores the emotional turmoil experienced by the family. Claims by the hospital labeling Maya’s mother with a form of child abuse triggered a court-ordered separation, compounding the distress faced by the Kowalskis.
This case highlights broader societal issues of hospital authority and the impact of allegations against parents in medical contexts. Overall, the tragic events surrounding Maya Kowalski’s treatment have drawn attention to potential systemic injustices within healthcare and child welfare systems.
What Happened To The Kowalski Family?
After over five years, the Kowalski family achieved closure with a Florida jury awarding them more than $261 million in damages against Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. Their lawsuit, initiated in 2018, claimed that hospital staff erroneously reported Beata Kowalski for child abuse based on her medical suggestions, sparking a custody battle that resulted in Maya being separated from her parents for 87 days. Maya, now 17, had been hospitalized since 2015 for severe symptoms related to a rare neurological condition, complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS).
Tragically, Beata Kowalski died by suicide three months after losing custody of her daughter. The jury found the hospital liable for negligent infliction of emotional distress and wrongful death, affirming that its actions contributed to Beata's tragic fate. Although initially awarded over $200 million, the total was adjusted to $261 million after a judge deemed some damages excessive. The case highlights the devastating impact of medical malpractice and the complex issues surrounding child welfare allegations.
How Much Did The Kowalski Family Get Paid?
The Kowalski family was awarded over $261 million by a Florida jury following a civil suit against Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. The case stemmed from allegations that the hospital wrongfully accused Maya's mother, Beata Kowalski, of child abuse, leading to the family's separation during a distressing period. In total, the jury awarded approximately $211 million in compensatory damages and $50 million in punitive damages after finding the hospital liable for several claims, including false imprisonment and medical negligence.
The trial, which lasted several months, brought significant attention, partly due to its feature in the Netflix documentary "Take Care of Maya." After a lengthy deliberation, the jury concluded that the hospital's actions were negligent and harmful, contributing to the tragic events leading up to Beata Kowalski's death in January 2017. The trial verdict was a culmination of five years of legal battles, and Judge Carroll ultimately reduced the awarded damages from $261 million to $213. 5 million. Following the jury’s decision, 16-year-old Maya expressed her emotional relief as the trial concluded.
How Hard Was The Kowalski Family'S Trial?
Greg Anderson, the attorney for the Kowalski family, expressed personal relief after the challenging nine-week trial and praised the family's resilience amid tragedy. A Sarasota County jury unanimously found Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg liable for the 2017 death of Beata Kowalski, awarding her family over $211 million. The case centered around allegations that the hospital staff had contributed to Beata Kowalski's suicide, impacting her daughter, Maya Kowalski.
The family initially sued the hospital for $220 million, claiming the hospital's actions led to Beata's death and alleging false imprisonment and emotional distress. A judge had previously restricted Maya's treatment options following Beata's suicide, adding to the distress. In November 2023, a jury awarded the Kowalskis $261 million, finding the hospital liable on all seven claims presented, including wrongful actions and medical malpractice.
Despite some reductions in the award, the core findings upheld the family's claims. The trial, which highlighted issues of care and treatment at the hospital, did not address Beata’s case directly but focused on the treatment of Maya, who, at nine, was wrongfully accused of medical abuse. Overall, the long legal journey has underscored the deep impact of the hospital's decisions on the Kowalski family and resulted in significant financial compensation for their suffering.
Who Are The Kowalski Family?
The Kowalski family, consisting of Maya, Jack, and Kyle, reacted with tears as the jury delivered a verdict on a long-standing case involving their daughter Maya, who suffered from debilitating health issues. The jury, after reviewing 80 pages of instructions from Judge Hunter Carroll, awarded the family $211, 451, 174 for compensatory damages. Their legal battle stemmed from claims against Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, whose staff reported Maya's mother, Beata Kowalski, for child abuse, leading to an 87-day custody battle that devastated the family.
Tragically, Beata took her own life six days after being reunited with Maya. The jury found the hospital liable for causing emotional distress to both Maya and Beata, who died by suicide in 2017. The case was initiated in 2018 following the family's suffering due to the alleged mistreatment of Maya, who experienced unexplained medical symptoms starting in 2015. The family sought $220 million, contending that the allegations led to Beata’s tragic end.
The lawsuit alleged false imprisonment and negligent infliction of emotional distress, among other charges. The case and its implications gained further visibility through the Netflix documentary "Take Care of Maya."
📹 Jury Sides With ‘Take Care of Maya’ Family
A Florida jury sided with the Kowalski family — featured in the Netflix documentary “Take Care of Maya” — in their civil case against …
This documentary should be hired on NATIONAL television in every Country! Whoever enters that Hospital should know the risk they are taking! Shame on the Justice System that forced this family to wait for years and suffer before they could get closure. I hope Kyle,Maya and Jack can find some relief in the fact that I BELIEVE THEM and I think Beata was a wonderful Nurse and mum ❤
Man she has incerablely the smartest most intelligent and the wisest lawyers in America. I’m very happy that the law was on her side her lawyers gave her the justice she so rightfully deserves. God bless her and her family and most of all God bless her lawyers that gave her want she deserves. Let her beautiful kind hearted mother rest in peace. God bless everyone that was on her side and helped her to seek the justice she’s been waiting for.
the nerve of that hospital! if they are so worried bout getting sued, then do a better job at evaluating patients,cand dont falsely accused families of abuse just because ur under trained, lack d expertise, or in for the money. dont weaponize CPS for job security, and CPS also got away with abusing this family and countless others. the nerve of them appealing. just for that, i hope th family starts another lawsuit with the help of d insurance companies they were billing. in fact d insurance companies shud also press charges for fraud claims. they too need to sue the hospital. and d hospital need to fire Cathy, and stop that jerk doctor’s retirement payments to pay for the personal injury and damages they caused Maya and her family 😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡
That family deserves so much more than that, the woman in the green jacket who came up and wrapped her arms around Kyle as he was inconsolable spoke volumes, that’s what they took from them, a mother and wife, makes the amount seem very small. This is a slap on the wrist. This will be a write off and this big business will march on. No longer health or care. Non profit, what a joke. Maybe they will somehow grow a conscious.
1:43 They SHOULD be sued for doing the wrong thing!! What is wrong with you?! Hunter/defense/hospital/DFS…. Want the freedom to make grievous ERRORS & destroy lives, totally unrestrained and with ZERO consequences! NO. There must be a clear delineation and much broad daylight between Healthcare and government agencies!!!! Government should not be practicing medicine without a license. The SACRED Doctor Patient relationship must be upheld and not violated by “good intentions”. Do your agency work, outside the medical system!
At least now they can close the book and move on with their lives. This will never rewind the time and gain their mother back, but at least they can have some relaxation in their lives and finally move on from this event. they will again reunite with their mother in heaven. Life’s short, enjoy this time while you can your mom would want you to move on and enjoy life, and you will see her again .
IT IS NOT THE POINT OF FUTURE PROBLEMS….. the point is… THE REFUSAL TO BE AWARE OF…PAIN IN THIS WORLD IS TRUE… It’s not ALWAYS abused… I have sporadic arthritis… I was lucky to have a doc. that believed in me, but most PPL, went to off street drugs & died… Our healthcare needs to be understood properly, not associated with abuse immediately. I am so saddened by this families struggle, I cried & want to know an addie I can continue sending mail to explain my disbelief & horror in this poor families life.
Heartbreaking DCF taking parents rights false accusations against parents is a disgrace. Sad mother lost her live heartbreaking. This case hopefully start teach DCF all the participants Dr Hospitals etc will Think twice before being cahoots with DCF …large lawsuits like this is ONLY way to teach them THAT They will not get away with treating parents and children this way.
First DO NO HARM!!!! They in my mind are guilty of murdering the mother. If a teen can be found guilty for bullying so can an hospital. Bullying does NOT start in school nor does it stop in school. It can and does happen in all walks of life, rich or poor, any religion, government, businesses, and YES hospitals. This hospital bullied that beautiful loving caring mother to death.
It’s about time we see some justice from this tyranny that has become our medical system. No amount of money can compensate for their loss but maybe these hospitals will start to realize there are ramifications. Covid was another example of so many peoples stories of the system imprisoning loved ones and isolating them from family. I hope more people wake up and stop blindly trusting these doctors.
This wasn’t a good faith error. They didn’t like her mother and decided to ignore the advise and diagnosis of 5 well educated professionals. They omitted information in court and manipulated the system to hold this child hostage. I hope Dr Smith is fired and not allowed to practice anymore (she has several other cases where she has wrongfully accused parents of medical abuse)
It shouldn’t have taken as long as it did. This poor family went through hell. Maya went through hell. And what they put this family through was unfortunately too much for beata to handle and played a huge part in her decision to take her life. The hospital saying they’re going to strongly appeal this is just another way for them to further torture this family and break their spirits again. Instead of fighting the family maybe they should be looking at ways to make sure this never happens again. That’s where they should be putting their energy. Not into further damaging a family that was whole and loving until they asked a hospital for help with their daughter’s condition. They didn’t get help by the way, it’s not like they even treated the daughter’s condition while she was there for over 3months. Hospitals are meant to heal and help not hurt.
The parent’s should always be the last word unless parents are proven to be negligent and/or incompetent! Government has been given to much authority and that’s even more damaging to society! This unwarranted authority of government does more damage too all that has to deal with a government bureaucrat that has the power to play judge and jury and remove the parental authority, which is superior!