Evans Moore, LLC Represents Family in Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against Myrtle Beach Police
Georgetown, United States - March 7, 2026 / Evans Moore, LLC /
GEORGETOWN, SC – Evans Moore, LLC filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the City of Myrtle Beach on February 3, representing the estate of Joseph Zeller following his 2024 death while in the custody of the Myrtle Beach Police Department. The legal action, initiated by the decedent’s mother, Kelly Mitchell, alleges that police placed the 25-year-old in a restraint chair and subsequently failed to provide medical assistance when he entered a medical emergency shortly thereafter.
According to court records and the filed complaint, the incident occurred at the Myrtle Beach jail. The lawsuit contends that jail personnel observed the medical emergency but did not provide the level of attention required to prevent the fatality. The family seeks to hold the city accountable for the actions and omissions of the police department during the period Mr. Zeller was restrained.
The legal team at Evans Moore, LLC handles litigation involving jail misconduct and wrongful death lawsuits across South Carolina. The firm manages cases where individuals have suffered harm or loss of life while in government custody. By filing this complaint, the firm aims to secure answers regarding the protocols followed by the Myrtle Beach Police Department and the adequacy of the medical response provided to those in restraint devices.
This case was recently featured in the Post and Courier, highlighting the circumstances surrounding the use of restraint chairs in local correctional facilities. The litigation focuses on the claim that the jail staff’s response was insufficient to meet the needs of a person in a life-threatening medical state.
For more information regarding the details of this litigation and other matters handled by the firm, visit the website.
About Evans Moore, LLC
Evans Moore, LLC is a South Carolina trial firm with offices in Georgetown and Charleston, representing clients statewide in catastrophic injury, wrongful death, medical malpractice, and civil rights cases. Founded by Scott Evans and James B. Moore III, they have recovered over $200 million in verdicts and settlements, including a $10 million jury verdict in a jail medical negligence case, a $7.9 million settlement for a cyclist’s wrongful death, a $5 million medical malpractice verdict, and multiple verdicts in excess of $1 million. Their results have been ranked among the Top 25 jury verdicts in the U.S. and the Top 10 in South Carolina in multiple years. Both attorneys have been recognized by Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers in America, and every case is handled directly by the founding partners. The firm offers free consultations and works exclusively on a contingency basis.
Contact Information:
Evans Moore, LLC
121 Screven Street
Georgetown, SC 29440
United States
Scott C. Evans
(843) 995-5000
https://evansmoorelaw.com
