Kratom Lawsuits
Though it has been marketed as a safe, natural alternative to opioids, kratom has been linked to liver failure, psychosis, and overdose deaths. There is limited time for kratom lawsuits to be filed, so contact us immediately if you or a loved one has suffered a serious injury or wrongful death. We offer free case reviews to help you determine if you could recover significant compensation with a legal claim.
Unregulated Kratom Products Can Cause Overdose and Liver Failure
Known around the world by names such as thang, kakuam, thom, ketum, or biak, kratom is a psychoactive herbal drug derived from the leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa tree. While it is typically sold in the form of capsules, tablets, or powders, it can also be found in the form of tea at kratom bars or in concentrated liquid form.
The majority of kratom’s effects can be attributed to mitragynine, a psychoactive chemical that can mimic stimulant drugs at low doses or behave like an opiate at higher doses.
Recently, however, concerns have come to light that this drug is not as safe as some would say. From salmonella outbreaks to overdose deaths, the industry, operating without proper regulations, has demonstrated a concerning level of irresponsibility when it comes to the distribution and use of kratom.
Kratom may not be classified as an opiate, but it still binds to opioid receptors, which can trigger effects similar to those of opiates. Consequently, there’s a risk of developing dependency or even addiction. Long-term kratom consumption can also lead to liver damage, as the substance is metabolized through the liver, similar to other drugs and alcohol.
The rampant availability of kratom supplements in gas stations and tobacco stores, often without adequate warnings about potential dangers, is concerning. Users are rarely informed about the risk of overdose when combining kratom with other substances, such as drugs or alcohol.
If you believe you or a loved one has experienced negative health effects due to kratom consumption, we are here to offer guidance and help you consider a kratom lawsuit to address the harm caused.
Facts About Kratom Lawsuits
Product
- Any kratom products bought online or in-store
Conditions
- Liver Failure
- Brain Injuries
- Psychosis
- Seizures
- Heart Attack
- Overdose
- Death
Defendants
- Kratom producers and distributors nationwide
Status
- Compensation has been awarded in a number of kratom wrongful death suits.
- Our lawyers are accepting claims from kratom victims and their families.
Is Kratom Legal in My State?
Below, you can find information on state restrictions for kratom. Many states are currently pending legislation, so this information may change at any time. If a state is not listed below, it can be assumed that is it legal with no state-wide legislation*.
The Kratom Consumers Protection Act (KCPA) is a model for state and federal legislation that has been developed by the American Kratom Association (AKA), a lobbying group looking to protect safe access to kratom by seeking reasonable testing and legislation. Among other things, the act proposes age restrictions, standards for labeling kratom products, and laws against selling kratom mixed with non-kratom substances, all of which can factor into kratom lawsuits. Some of the states below have passed their own modified version of the KCPA.
- Alabama – BANNED
- Arizona – KCPA
- Arkansas – BANNED
- California – banned ONLY in certain parts of San Diego County
- Colorado – KCPA
- Florida – KCPA
- Georgia – KCPA
- Illinois – 18+; banned in many cities, such as Alton, Edwardsville, and Jerseyville
- Indiana – BANNED
- Minnesota – 18+
- Mississippi – legal statewide, banned in many cities and counties throughout the state
- Missouri – labeling and age restrictions (18+) ONLY in St. Charles County
- New Hampshire – 18+
- New Jersey – KCPA
- Ohio – only powder form is legal; cannot be marketed as “safe for human consumption” due to lack of FDA approval
- Oklahoma – KCPA
- Oregon – KCPA
- Rhode Island – BANNED
- South Dakota – 21+
- Tennessee – 21+
- Utah – KCPA
- Vermont – BANNED
- Virginia – KCPA
- West Virginia – KCPA
- Wisconsin – BANNED
*Despite not every state having age restrictions, most businesses across the country will not sell kratom to those under 18.
Which Countries Have Kratom Bans?
- Australia
- Denmark
- Finland
- Israel
- Japan
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Myanmar
- Malaysia
- New Zealand (medically legal with prescription)
- Poland
- Romania
- Russia
- Singapore
- South Korea
- Sweden
- Thailand
- Vietnam
Why Do People Use Kratom?
Used for centuries in Southeast Asian traditional medicine by chewing the leaves for increased energy and pain relief, kratom is used by many today as a legal, (supposedly) safer, and cheaper alternative to opioid painkillers. Additionally, many people use this herbal drug as a way to decrease chronic stress or to recover from dependency on opioid drugs.
It is often believed that, while kratom can mimic the effects of opiates, it is not as addictive and poses no threat to health. Just because a drug is plant-derived, though, does not necessarily mean there are no risks. In fact, the lack of regulation within the kratom industry has led to serious complications, addiction and withdrawal, and even death.
The truth is that mitragynine, one of the primary psychoactive chemicals in kratom leaves, has the potential to revolutionize the pharmaceutical industry with its many possible physical and psychological benefits. However, without laws on the books or extensive testing by scientists and medical professionals, stores will continue to sell highly concentrated, contaminated, or otherwise harmful products containing kratom.
Kratom lawsuits serve to not only bring deserved compensation to injured people and their families but also encourage state and federal governments to take action against the companies endangering people’s lives by selling questionable supplements.
- Mental alertness
- Euphoria
- Increased energy and sociability
- Increased libido
- Appetite suppression
- Pain relief
- Deep relaxation and a sense of calm
- Cough suppression
- Decreased opioid withdrawal symptoms
Mild Reactions:
- Nausea or vomiting
- Itching
- Sweating
- Dry mouth
- Constipation
- Increased heart rate
- Drowsiness
Severe Reactions and Conditions:
- Weight loss or anorexia
- Insomnia
- Dependency and withdrawal symptoms
- Liver damage or failure
- Seizure
- Psychotic episodes (hallucinations, delusion, and confusion)
- Permanent changes to the brain
- Heart attack
- Overdose
- Death
Kratom Lawsuit FAQs
In the agency’s first-ever mandatory recall, the FDA recalled a number of kratom products. This recall was announced in April of 2018 after at least 199 people across 41 states had been infected with salmonella after consuming kratom distributed by Triangle Pharmanaturals LLC. Though the FDA has long been concerned with other potential dangers of this product that we have discussed, this recall was solely regarding the salmonella outbreak and Triangle Pharmanaturals LLC’s refusal to cooperate by issuing a voluntary recall.
This recall is just another example of why this industry is in desperate need of stricter control.
According to the CDC, from July 2016-December 2017 152 overdose deaths showed kratom on the toxicology report. Kratom was listed as an actual cause of death on 91 out of 152 of those reports, and seven of them listed kratom as the only substance that tested positive.
Since this is only a 17-month period, the data does not currently exist to determine exactly how many people have died from using kratom. However, in recent years there have been a number of new wrongful death kratom lawsuits. Two well-known cases are of a mother of four who died of kratom use in her kitchen and a 23-year-old whose parents are fighting for justice after his death.
If you lost someone close to you due to the negligence of kratom distributors, contact us today to find out if you could seek justice with a kratom lawsuit.
Yes, kratom can cause dependency (development of tolerance and withdrawal symptoms) that can eventually lead to substance use disorder (SUD). Signs that a regular kratom user is developing SUD include the following:
- Risky decision-making
- Need to obtain the drug at almost any cost
- Using more and more of the drug each time
- Inability to quit using despite efforts to do so
- Lethargy, irritability, and/or lack of interest in their work, family, and social life
- Recognizing the negative effects of the drug on their mind or body but continuing to use
If you or someone you know is struggling with kratom dependency or SUD, please contact SAMHSA’s National Helpline to get the assistance you need.
The trusted and experienced attorneys we work with at White Heart Legal can help you gather the right evidence for your case, draw the connections between kratom and your injuries, and make sure you are paid every dollar you are due for your injuries and losses. You deserve to have a trusted legal ally in your corner, so don’t hesitate to give us a call.
You may be eligible to file a kratom lawsuit to recover damages if you or someone close to you used kratom at any time after turning eighteen and experienced one of the following: liver failure, seizure, brain injury, heart attack, overdose, or death.
Contact us now to find out whether you qualify and what your case could be worth.
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About White Heart Legal
Have you suffered from liver failure, non-traumatic brain injury, heart attack, or overdose due to kratom use? Did you lose a loved one to this supposedly safe botanical supplement? If so, it is imperative that you get started on your kratom lawsuit immediately. We are here to help, and we make it easy by providing free case evaluations and consultations. Our participating law firms are ready to get you the damages you need for your recovery.
Contact Us Today To See If You Qualify
If you or a loved one experienced injury, overdose, or wrongful death after taking kratom supplements, we want to hear your story.
Or, give us a call at 866-818-4973
