$2 Million settlement reached in lawsuit regarding wrongful death of 19-year-old Kedar Williams
On August 13, 2019, 19-year-old student Kedar Elijah Williams was rushed to the hospital, by ambulance, from William T. Dwyer High School in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. The school later released a statement that a student had passed away following a medical emergency.
Williams was autistic and was a student in the School District of Palm Beach County’s Exceptional Student Education (ESE) program. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a development disorder that affects how children interact and communicate. Kedar was only able to speak a few words and required 1:1 supervision, especially while eating, due to his risk for aspiration or choking on food. In addition to his care at school, he also had around-the-clock care at home. Due to his disability, his mother was instructed, by his doctors, that he eat only when accompanied by 1:1 supervision. His mother repeatedly communicated the importance of 1:1 supervision at all times to the school on multiple occasions, for years prior to this incident.