Man who died in Horry Co. prison didn’t get proper medical care, lawsuit claims
.JPG "The brother of a former J. Reuben Long Detention Center detainee is suing over his brother’s death, which he says was preventable. Feb. 1, 2024.")
In 2025, a man died in the J. Reuben Long Detention center before he reached his trial. Now, his brother is suing based on claims that the prison’s medical care failed his sibling.
James Carroll, 48, was detained in March 2025. Upon his detainment, he informed the prison that he was under the influence of opiates, according to the lawsuit, and medical orders were signed prescribing detoxification medications and observation protocols. But when, Carroll started showing signs of severe withdrawal, the medical team failed to intervene properly, the lawsuit says.
Horry County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Brennan Cavanagh declined to comment on pending litigation, but said in an email to The Sun News that “the safety and security of individuals in our custody remains our top priority.” Cavanagh added that the office is very aware of the “issues that face our community in terms of substance abuse,” and is always looking for ways to improve care.
Over the next several days, Carroll experienced nausea, indigestion, vomiting and diarrhea, but the prison medical team did not intervene in time with medical treatment and the prescribed detoxification medications, the lawsuit claims.
Just days after his detainment, Carroll was unresponsive. He was taken to Conway Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead, the lawsuit says.
Who’s named in the lawsuit?
The lawsuit names Horry County, the Horry County Sheriff’s Office, and Mediko, Inc. as defendants in the medical malpractice case, as well as a John Doe to represent responsible physicians.
Mediko, Inc. is a Richmond, Virginia-based corporation that provides medical care to prisons, including the J. Reuben Long Detention Center.
This is not the first lawsuit filed against Mediko in Horry County. Six suits were filed against the company for medical malpractice and wrongful death in 2025, and court records show that three lawsuits have been filed in 2026 for medical malpractice, including the suit by Carroll’s brother.
The new lawsuit asserts that Mediko had a “history of failing to provide access to adequate medical services to pre-trial detainees housed within J. Reuben Long Detention Center” prior to Carroll’s death.
Carroll’s estate, represented by his brother, is suing for actual, consequential and punitive damages.
This story was originally published February 13, 2026 at 11:00 AM.
