A Florida hospital is pushing for a new trial after Maya Kowalski won her case against the establishment – claiming a biased juror in the case compared Doctor Sally Smith to a Nazi organization.
Last month, Maya Kowalski was awarded more than $200 million when she won her lawsuit against Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, which was found liable for her mother's death.
The jury ruled in favor of the teen, whose story is the subject of the Netflix documentary “Take Care of Maya,” and ruled that the hospital had wrongfully confined her. Maya, 17, was just 10 when she was removed by the state after doctors accused her parents of faking symptoms for her rare condition, complex regional pain syndrome.
The jury found that the emotional distress caused by her mother Beata Kowalski – who was not allowed to see her daughter for three months – led to her suicide in 2017.
A month later, the Florida hospital alleged that Juror No. 1, Paul Lengyel, had an extreme dislike for one of the defense witnesses, a hospital employee named Sally Smith, a claim that Maya has called “absolutely disgusting.”
Last month, Maya Kowalski was awarded more than $200 million when she won her lawsuit against Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, which was found liable for her mother's death.
A month later – the Florida hospital claimed that Juror No. 1 – Paul Lengyel – had an extreme dislike for one of the defense witnesses, a hospital worker named Sally Smith (pictured) – a claim that Maya has called “absolutely disgusting” .
Exhibit A is a piece of notebook paper with notes from “Juror #1,” in which each time Sally Smith is mentioned, the letter S at the beginning of each name is written differently from the other S's on the page.
Three exhibits were attached to the filing of the request for a new trial. Exhibit A is a piece of notebook paper with notes from “Juror #1,” in which each time Sally Smith is mentioned, the letter S at the beginning of each name is written differently from the other S's on the page.
“Juror No. 1 printed the letter “S” normally on the entire bill, with a curve in the spine, EXCEPT he printed his “S” with sharp corners when printing Dr.'s name. Sally Smith,” reads the second additional movement.
“Both the second and third time Juror No. 1 mentioned Dr. Sally Smith prints, the letter 'S' has a shape identical to the symbol of the Nazi Schutzstaffel.'
Smith investigated the Kowalski family for possible child abuse of their daughter Maya in relation to her mysterious medical problems and disturbing treatment history.
The 10-year-old was diagnosed with CRPS and given a $10,000 “ketamine transfusion” every three to four weeks to help treat the debilitating pain Maya faced.
Smith had suspected that Maya was a victim of Munchausen syndrome by proxy and was convinced that she had been abused by her parents. family.
Maya stayed in the hospital for months and hardly came out. She spent Halloween, Christmas, New Year and her eleventh birthday in the hospital.
The motion filed insinuates that the juror is comparing Sally Smith's attitude and behavior to that of the Nazis in the Schutzstaffel organization.
Maya, 17, was just 10 when she was removed by the state after doctors accused her parents of faking symptoms for her rare condition: complex regional pain syndrome
John Hopkins All Children's Hospital has filed for a new trial in the case brought by Netflix's Maya Kowalski
“The SS lightning bolts are a symbol often used by neo-Nazis and white supremacists,” the motion said.
'The lightning bolts were part of the uniform of Nazi SS soldiers. Often the SS lightning bolts are used to express support for hateful beliefs and ideologies.”
'Printing the first letter of Dr.'s first and last name in this way. Smith exposes Juror No. 1's bias and prejudice against Dr. Smith (and therefore defendant) clearly, causing Dr. Smith is equated with a notorious Nazi organization,” the filing continues.
“Juror No. 1's reference to Dr. Sally Smith using Nazi symbolism demonstrates a clear bias, prejudice and prejudice against her and therefore the defendant.”
Maya and her attorney Gregory Anderson are shocked by the hospital's efforts for a new trial.
“The worst charges I can imagine against this poor man who did nothing but dedicate nine weeks of his life to helping the community and his civic function,” Anderson said. “Accusing the most heinous things you can imagine against him, and I find that sickening.”
“I just think it's absolutely disgusting,” Maya added. 'I don't even understand how someone can come up with such a harsh accusation. But I have confidence in my trial team and I think we will succeed.'
The now 17-year-old was diagnosed with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) at the age of 9, but was taken to hospital with severe pain in October 2016 at the age of 10
Maya's mother, Beata, (right) took her own life after being diagnosed with depressive mood and adjustment disorder after being separated from Maya for almost three months
The hospital had previously alleged that Juror No. 1 shared information about the case with his wife in an attempt to win a new trial, saying the wife then posted the confidential information online in communities that favored the plaintiff.
Lawyers representing the hospital in the case brought by the Kowalski family claim that jury foreman Paul Lengyel's wife, Yolanda, attended at least one day of the trial in Venice, meaning she could not hear lawyers' discussions with the judge could have heard that took place outside the jury. presence.
Court documents say Yolanda Lengyel posted on live YouTube feeds of the trial and in a Facebook chat group that was largely supportive of the Kowalski family.
She is also accused of meeting with a social media influencer known as Jules, who, the motion states, is connected to the Kowalski family.
Cited as evidence is a video Jules posted to her TikTok page showing her giving Maya Kowalski her rosary before Maya's live testimony on October 9.
Yolanda Lengyel also allegedly spoke on social media about questions her husband wanted to ask witnesses and about a jury note sent while the jury was deliberating, the motion said.
“The evidence reveals a shocking level of involvement in the case and a palpable bias in favor of the plaintiffs on the part of Juror No. 1's wife, Ms. Lengyel, as well as social media posts sharing 'inside information' by Ms. Lengyel . received from her husband,” the motion reads.
Attorneys for the hospital also alleged that Juror No. 1 “may harbor bad feelings” toward the Florida Department of Children and Families.