2 weeks Ago
WEST COLUMBIA — A wrongful death lawsuit has been filed against an assisted living facility after a resident choked to death. Colonial Gardens Alzheimer's Special Care Center is accused of negligence in the 2022 death of 77-year-old Raymond W. Sikes Sr.
The lawsuit, which claims that the care center has been improperly taking care of its patients, was filed by Sikes' daughter, Betina Keller. The center provides care for patients suffering from dementia and Alzheimer's disease. On Nov.
2, 2022, Sikes was eating in the dining area of the residential center when he began choking, according to the lawsuit. Staff attempted to administer the Heimlich maneuver and called emergency medical services, but they made no other attempts to save Sikes' life, the lawsuit claims. " Lexington County EMS and/or Richland County EMS" responded to the scene at 5:13 p.
m., and the lawsuit alleges first responders waited several minutes before performing live-saving measures on Sikes. Sikes became unresponsive and died that same day.
In addition to the care center, the lawsuit accuses Sunshine Retirement Living and Caddy LLC — which operate and manage Colonial Gardens Alzheimer's Special Care Center — of being “negligent” in their care of Sikes. Lexington and Richland counties, as well emergency management services for both municipalities, are named as defendants in the lawsuit. Keller claims that all of the parties failed to prevent and assess the risk of choking for her father and did not provide “reasonable care.
” Officials with Colonial Gardens Alzheimer's Special Care Center could not be immediately reached for comment. A spokesperson for Lexington County and for Richland County declined to comment..
