Appeals Court Reverses $200M Ruling Against Johns Hopkins Hospital

SARASOTA, Fla. – An appeals court has reversed a previous ruling that awarded more than $200 million to the family of a girl whose mother took her own life following allegations of child abuse against the hospital. The Florida Second District Court of Appeals announced its decision on Wednesday, determining that Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital acted in good faith regarding child protection efforts.

The case stems from a tragic series of events involving the Kowalski family, whose story was highlighted in the Netflix documentary ‘Take Care of Maya.’ The family brought their daughter, Maya, to the hospital in October 2016 due to severe pain from Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS).

During their stay, Beata Kowalski, Maya’s mother and a registered nurse, insisted on continuing ketamine treatments that hospital staff deemed unnecessary. Concerned for Maya’s safety, hospital personnel reported Beata to the Child Abuse Hotline, suggesting she was making her daughter ill. Subsequently, a judge ruled that Maya would remain in the hospital under state custody, severely restricting contact with her mother.

After 87 days without seeing her daughter, Beata Kowalski died by suicide. The eight-week trial that followed saw jurors find the hospital liable for multiple charges, including false imprisonment and medical negligence, ultimately leading to a $261 million verdict, which a judge later reduced to $208 million.

Following the appeals court ruling, attorneys for Johns Hopkins expressed their determination to challenge the remaining claims, which are still subject to retrial. The appeals court ruled that the trial court incorrectly applied child protection laws and found insufficient evidence for punitive damages against the hospital.

Ethen Shapiro, a representative for Johns Hopkins, stated, “The facts and the law have always prioritized protecting children… We look forward to vigorously defending our doctors, nurses, and staff.”

The Kowalski family’s attorney expressed disappointment at the reversal but maintained hope for future legal proceedings, claiming the hospital had exploited its position over Maya’s care.

As the court document suggested, there are still claims under review, but the plaintiffs cannot pursue punitive damages due to a lack of evidence. The family looks forward to presenting their case in future court sessions.