Maya Kowalski sues Children’s Hospital for sexual assault.
Maya Kowalski: From Abuse Allegations to Sexual Assault Lawsuit
Maya Kowalski, the courageous teenager whose family recently won a staggering $260 million in damages after a children’s hospital falsely reported her mother for abuse, is now taking legal action against the same hospital for sexual assault.
At just 10 years old, Maya was admitted to Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida. The hospital, suspecting Maya’s mother, Beata, of suffering from Munchausen syndrome by proxy, reported her for child abuse. This led to months of Maya being separated from her family, causing immense pain and distress.
The Kowalski family emerged victorious in their civil trial against the hospital. However, Maya has now filed a second lawsuit, alleging that she was sexually assaulted during her stay at the hospital in 2016, as reported by NewsNation.
Seeking Justice: Maya’s Fight for Truth
“I know that it was wrong, and that’s enough,” Maya bravely shared with Chris Cuomo from the NewsNation network.
The shocking allegations first came to light during the initial civil trial, as reported by the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Maya disclosed that she found herself in a distressing situation with a man wearing a white lab coat, which she believed to be sexual abuse. Maya reported the incident to a hospital psychologist, but unfortunately, no action was taken to ensure her safety.
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A Voice for the Voiceless: Maya’s Determination
“She reported it, but nothing was done. Nothing was done to make sure that I was safe and secure in that place,” Kowalski expressed. “I just decided that, well, since it wasn’t taken seriously there, it’s not going to be taken seriously anywhere else.”
Maya, along with her attorney Greg Anderson, has filed a criminal complaint with the police and initiated a lawsuit regarding the incident.
“I am claiming that there was sexual abuse. It’s something that I was quite quiet about for a couple of years because I was worried it wouldn’t be taken seriously,” Maya revealed to Fox News’ Martha MacCallum.
Ethen Shapiro, an attorney from Hill Ward Henderson who represented the hospital in the first civil trial, stated that Maya’s allegations were not admitted into the case and arose during the trial itself.
“As soon as the hospital became aware of the allegations, and in accordance with their policies, they immediately initiated an internal investigation and contacted law enforcement last month,” Shapiro assured. “Federal privacy laws restrict Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital from sharing more, but the hospital takes allegations of this nature very seriously and always puts the safety of their patients above all else.”
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The civil trial centered around the actions of Johns Hopkins in 2016 when staff reported Maya’s parents to children’s services. The hospital believed that Maya’s mother, Beata, was exaggerating her daughter’s illness to gain attention from healthcare workers, a condition known as Munchausen syndrome by proxy. Tragically, Beata took her own life, and shortly after, Maya was released from the hospital and reunited with her family. The Kowalski family filed a lawsuit on seven claims, resulting in Johns Hopkins being held liable for falsely imprisoning Maya, fraudulent billing, and causing emotional distress. The jury also found social worker Catherine Bedy guilty of battery against Maya and Dr. Sally Smith guilty of medical neglect. Fox News reported these details.
The hospital has vowed to appeal the verdict.
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How have reports of sexual abuse and misconduct within healthcare settings been increasingly recognized in recent years?
Nitiated an internal investigation and reported the matter to the authorities,” Shapiro explained. “The hospital takes any allegations of this nature very seriously and remains committed to the safety and well-being of all its patients.”
The trauma Maya experienced during her time at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital has had a lasting impact on her life. She has struggled with trust issues and nightmares, as well as difficulty forming new relationships. However, she is determined to seek justice and shine a light on the issue of sexual abuse in medical institutions.
Maya’s case is unfortunately not an isolated incident. Reports of sexual abuse and misconduct within healthcare settings have been increasingly recognized in recent years. The power dynamics and vulnerability of patients in these situations make them particularly susceptible to exploitation. It is essential that allegations of abuse are taken seriously and thoroughly investigated to ensure the safety of patients and prevent further harm.
The legal action taken by Maya and her family serves as a powerful message that survivors of abuse will not be silenced. It also highlights the importance of holding institutions accountable for their failures to protect those under their care. By bringing attention to this issue, Maya’s case may lead to changes in policies and protocols within hospitals to better safeguard patients against abuse.
It is crucial for individuals, especially parents, to be vigilant and aware of potential signs of abuse in medical settings. Trusting our healthcare providers is of utmost importance, but it is equally important to remain vigilant and proactive in ensuring the safety and well-being of ourselves and our loved ones.
Maya Kowalski’s journey from abuse allegations to a sexual assault lawsuit highlights the courage and resilience of survivors. Her determination to seek justice not only for herself but also for others who have experienced similar situations is both commendable and inspiring. As her case progresses, it is our hope that justice will be served, and systemic changes will be implemented to prevent such abuses from happening in the future.
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