DETROIT -- Relatives of legendary heavyweight boxer Joe Louis have filed a lawsuit against a Dallas-based assisted living chain after Louis' sister, Vunies High, was found dead of hypothermia outside of her assisted living apartment in February.

Attorneys for Vunies High's estate said The Heatherwood was negligent by failing to stop the 92-year-old woman from wandering outside.

Attorney Richard Bernstein of the Bernstein Law Firm in Farmington Hills filed the lawsuit in U.S. District Court against Capital Senior Living Properties, operator of the assisted-living center.

Vunies High's son, Sidney High of Detroit and nephew of Joe Louis, is the plaintiff in the case.

High's estate is seeking an unspecified amount of money exceeding $75,000. However, Bernstein said he hopes this case will serve as an example for how nursing homes and assisted living centers nationwide should care for elderly residents.

Vunies High was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease after she spent 25 years as a teacher and counselor for Detroit Public Schools.