News Summary
Coastal Carolina University is facing a lawsuit after Jeshua Matzdorff, a student with disabilities, was left alone for over an hour during a seizure in class. The lawsuit claims negligence and a failure to provide adequate support and safety for students with disabilities. Allegations include poor emergency response protocols and inadequate training for staff. The family seeks damages and calls for improved safeguards to protect students in the future.
Coastal Carolina University Sued After Student Left Alone During Seizure
In a troubling development out of Conway, South Carolina, Coastal Carolina University (CCU) is facing a lawsuit following a serious incident involving a student with disabilities. Jeshua Matzdorff and his family filed the lawsuit on April 21, 2025, after a shocking event that occurred on January 13, 2025, when Matzdorff allegedly experienced a seizure during class.
A Scary Episode in the Classroom
According to the lawsuit, Matzdorff was left alone in a classroom for over an hour while he was having a seizure. The allegations point fingers at Brian Keys, the Assistant Director of the CoastalLIFE Program and the instructor in the classroom at the time. Despite knowing about Matzdorff’s medical condition detailed in an email that his family sent to the CoastalLIFE Program on September 3, 2024, Keys reportedly left the classroom without checking on the student.
The CoastalLIFE Program Explained
For those unfamiliar, the CoastalLIFE Program is designed to create a supportive environment for young adults with intellectual disabilities. However, the lawsuit claims that the program failed in its core mission when it came to Matzdorff’s safety. After he didn’t return to his dorm, other members of the program did not manage to locate him either, which raises serious concerns about the overall protocol for handling emergencies.
What Happened Next?
Reports indicate that as the class ended around 3 p.m., Matzdorff started feeling unwell. Instead of ensuring he was taken care of, Keys left the classroom and did not follow up, which turned out to be a grave mistake. A group of fraternity members later stumbled upon Matzdorff all alone, suffering from the medical episode. Recognizing that something was wrong, they took action and promptly called for help after witnessing Matzdorff continue to struggle, including episodes of vomiting.
Emergency Response and Aftermath
Emergency services were finally alerted around 5:50 p.m., and Matzdorff was transported to Conway Medical Center. The aftermath of the incident has been severe; the student reportedly sustained substantial injuries, some of which could be permanent. Following the traumatic experience, Matzdorff decided to withdraw from CCU. On top of these physical injuries, the young man has also been facing emotional turmoil, including a diminished quality of life after the incident.
Claims of Negligence
The Cairns family is alleging that the university, along with the CoastalLIFE Program, demonstrated negligence. They also pointed out issues related to inadequate training and poor hiring practices among staff members. The lawsuit is requesting various forms of damages, including actual, special, consequential, and punitive damages. More importantly, the family is advocating for CCU to implement better safeguards for students with disabilities to avoid similar incidents in the future.
Coastal Carolina University’s Response
In light of the ongoing litigation, the university has refrained from making any public comments regarding the specifics of the case. However, they have mentioned that specifics about students’ disabilities are generally not shared with faculty without appropriate authorization. This piece of information leaves many wondering about the communication protocols within CCU and whether measures are in place to protect vulnerable students.
Policy Gaps Identified
The lawsuit has opened up discussions about the apparent lack of policies requiring instructors to ensure that classrooms are free of students before leaving, especially those with known medical conditions. This crucial gap in protocol could have dire implications, as seen in Matzdorff’s case.
As this case progresses, the eyes of the community will be focused on how CCU responds and what changes, if any, will be made in the way they support students with disabilities. The situation has certainly raised vital concerns that need to be addressed not only for the sake of Jeshua Matzdorff but for all future students who may find themselves in similar situations.
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Additional Resources
- WPDE: Coastal Carolina University Lawsuit for Seizure Incident
- WMBF News: Lawsuit Against CCU Student Seizure Incident
- My Horry News: CCU Student Left Alone During Seizure
- Wikipedia: Coastal Carolina University
- Google Search: Coastal Carolina University Negligence Lawsuit
Author: STAFF HERE MYRTLE BEACH
The HERE Myrtle Beach Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Myrtle Beach community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Myrtle Beach Our team includes lifelong Myrtle Beach residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent developments along the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach’s tourism and hospitality industry, and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Coastal Carolina University programs). Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
