Jury Selection Begins for Alleged Medical Abuse Case

Jury selection is set to commence on Thursday for a high-profile Medical Abuse case that has garnered attention nationwide and even inspired a Netflix documentary titled “Take Care of Maya.” In this case, a Florida family was torn apart after allegations of medical abuse led to tragic consequences.

In 2016, young Maya Kowalski, who later became the focus of the Netflix documentary, was admitted to Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital (JHAC) in St. Petersburg, Florida, due to severe pain. Tragically, she was removed from her parents’ custody after hospital staff accused them of “medical abuse.”

Maya’s mother, Beata Kowalski, ultimately took her own life on January 7, 2016, as she had gone months without seeing her daughter due to these troubling medical abuse allegations.

“It’s been extremely difficult on the Kowalskis after what they went through, and … it’s disappointing, the level of litigation they have to go through to get their right to speak in court,” said the family’s attorney, Greg Anderson.

“Take Care of Maya,” the Netflix documentary, tells part of this heart-wrenching story but leaves much more to be uncovered.

Maya and Beata Kowalski’s journey unfolds in the documentary as they grapple with Maya’s rare, chronic neurological condition known as complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). This condition, according to the Cleveland Clinic, causes severe, widespread pain in a person’s body due to issues with the nervous system.

Maya’s father decided to take legal action against JHAC and the medical personnel responsible for his daughter’s care in 2018. He alleged that the hospital falsely accused Beata of medical abuse and failed to provide proper care for Maya, causing immense emotional distress to their family.

The attorney, Greg Anderson, pointed out, “It’s a convenient way to get rid of troublesome parents, particularly parents that are complaining about a lack of care or attention on their child.”

Dr. Anthony Kirkpatrick, a specialist in pain relief, had initially diagnosed Maya with CRPS when she was just 9 years old and provided her with treatment that included ketamine to alleviate her pain. This treatment was effective for some time, but Maya’s condition worsened when she was admitted to JHAC at the age of 10 in 2016.

Maya experienced intense pain in her limbs, skin lesions, and episodes where her feet turned inward during CRPS flare-ups – a common occurrence for CRPS patients.

Beata, a registered nurse, kept meticulous records of Maya’s illness, drawing on her medical expertise. She advocated for ketamine as part of Maya’s treatment, but hospital staff perceived her insistence as hostility. Dr. Sally Smith, the medical director of the Pinellas County child protection team, intervened and accused Beata of medically abusing her daughter – an accusation that the hospital still upholds.

Doctors at JHAC reported their suspicions of medical abuse to the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF), leading to Maya’s separation from her parents for several months.

As the legal battle unfolds, it’s essential to note that the court has determined that Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital reported the suspected child abuse in good faith, absolving both the hospital and child protective services worker Catherine Bedy of legal liability.

The case has been fraught with complexity, with Anderson noting, “You have to weave your way through an absolute maze, through at times conflicting laws and procedures, just to get here.” However, he remains optimistic about Maya’s case, believing they will do well before a jury.

The hospital has defended its actions, emphasizing its commitment to patient safety and privacy. They follow federal privacy laws and report possible abuse or neglect to DCF, leaving the final decisions to the child’s best interest in DCF’s hands.

The legal motion details instances where Beata allegedly expressed her daughter’s suffering and her desire to end it. Nonetheless, the case will ultimately be decided in court, almost five years after the civil lawsuit was initiated and seven years after Maya’s initial admission to JHAC.

Anderson expressed his empathy for families facing similar child medical abuse cases, acknowledging the heartbreak experienced by many in similar situations.

This case is a reminder of the complexities within the healthcare system and the challenges families may encounter when seeking the best care for their loved ones.

L’article p>UK’s Largest "Man Cave" Owner Banned from Filming Neighbors and Clogging Road with Classic Cars

Meet Graham Wildin, the millionaire with the UK’s largest "man cave." This 10,000-square-foot pad, nestled in Cirencester, Gloucestershire, has it all: a bowling alley, a casino, and a cinema. But here’s the catch – Wildin built it without planning permission back in 2014.

Court Battles and Classic Cars

Wildin has been in quite the legal tangle over his impressive man cave. Despite multiple court orders instructing him to dismantle it, he simply refused. In fact, he even did some jail time for ignoring one of these orders last year.

But now, there’s a new twist in the tale. Wildin’s fleet of Classic Cars, including a grey Bentley Turbo R, a yellow convertible Jenson-Healey sports car, and a burgundy Austin 1100, has drawn attention. A judge recently slapped him with an "interim injunction" to prevent him from causing trouble for his neighbors.

Parking and CCTV Restrictions

The injunction comes with a few rules. First, Wildin can’t park more than two of his classic cars on the street. Second, he’s not allowed to cover the area with CCTV cameras. If he doesn’t follow these rules, there’s even the threat of arrest. Wildin, however, plans to appeal this injunction.

Neighbors’ Complaints

Wildin’s neighbors have long accused him of harassment. They’ve had enough of the constant surveillance and the inconsiderate parking of his cars. One resident couldn’t use her driveway because Wildin’s cars blocked her way. Others complained about their parking spaces being taken over while they were at work.

Some even say he plays "cat and mouse" with his classic cars, causing parking chaos on purpose. It’s a situation that’s making life tough for the people living nearby.

A Series of Defeats

This isn’t the first time Wildin has tangled with the courts. He’s faced five defeats in court, with the first one coming in 2018. The court initially gave him until April 2020 to remove the man cave, but he didn’t comply and ended up with a suspended sentence in 2021. An appeal against the sentence also failed, and he was ordered to demolish the complex by March 2022.

But he didn’t stop there. When he continued to defy the court’s orders, he ended up in jail. After his release, he had to strip the man cave’s interior to make it unusable, but even that deadline expired without compliance. Now, he’s facing more costs for not adhering to the court’s decisions.

Wildin’s Defense

During the latest hearing, Wildin maintained his innocence, claiming he doesn’t shout or swear. He showed an aerial photo to the judge, pointing out that most of the cars on the street aren’t his. According to him, the CCTV was installed to protect his cars because of neighbors covering the road with taller units.

Despite his arguments, an injunction for alleged anti-social behavior was issued jointly by the police and the district council. Wildin’s epic "man cave" saga continues, leaving neighbors frustrated and the courts busy.

est apparu en premier sur Le Hérisson News.