On October 30, 2024, after receiving the results of a toxicology report concerning a 36-year-old woman who died in his district, St. Tammany Parish coroner Christopher Tape made a public plea to residents to recognize that kratom can be lethal.
In a press release to media outlets, Tape shared that the woman had lived in the Slidell area, and in August she died after ingesting multiple drugs. The report listed her passing as brought on by “polydrug toxicity’’ with an “excessive’’ dose of kratom.
Kratom, an herbal supplement currently sold in many parts of the United States but not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), comes from the leaves of a tropical tree in Southeast Asia. Its two main chemical compounds are mitragynine and 7-hydroxymytragynine which bind to the same brain receptors as opioid drugs like codeine.
Thousands of Americans purchase the substance either in pill, powder, or liquid form to self-treat a variety of ailments including muscle pain, arthritis, and anxiety. For others, who are battling drug addiction, they believe kratom can curtail their cravings.
However, as the popularity of kratom has increased in recent years so has the number of deaths associated with the herbal supplement. In one study by the Washington Post, between 2020 and 2022, researchers found that kratom contributed to at least 4,100 deaths in 44 states and the District of Columbia. In July of 2024, the FDA issued a specific warning against OPMS Black Liquid Kratom due to its connection to severe health complications and fatalities.
Although kratom was originally intended for low-dose use in tea, the coroner does not recommend using “this plant derivative at all.” If kratom is misused or if an individual ingests a dosage that is too large, it could cause negative reactions, including hallucinations, delusions, loss of appetite, and a myriad of other harmful symptoms and conditions. “And, in the worst cases, it is fatal,” he added.
While Louisiana has not banned kratom, several parishes within the state have prohibited sales including Ascension, Grant, LaSalle, Rapides, and Tangipahoa Parishes. And as lawmakers continue to wrestle with the issue, Tape urges residents to consider the dangers associated with it. “Does this product have some potential health uses?” he asked. “Probably, yes, but it is not regulated by the FDA or other authorities, so there are no standards to ensure its safety.”
HKGC Took an Early Stand for Kratom Victims
For the attorneys at Herman, Katz, Gisleson & Cain, this is yet another senseless death due to the actions of makers and sellers of kratom. Earlier this year, in the 4th Judicial District Court of Louisiana, HKGC filed one of the first kratom wrongful death lawsuits in the state, seeking damages from the seller and manufacturer of OPMS brand kratom, one of the largest sellers of kratom in the country. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of the parents of a 25-year-old man who died in West Monroe after purchasing kratom from a gas station near his home. The defendants are accused of profiting from unfair and deceptive business practices while promoting and selling dangerous kratom products.
The Importance of Kratom Lawsuits
Kratom is currently banned in several states including Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin, and as mentioned above, in different municipalities across Louisiana. However, there are many places where manufacturers and sellers can market and sell kratom with minimal oversight. These businesses often promote their products as safe and effective without adequately warning consumers about the potential dangers. As a result, many individuals are suffering serious injuries brought on by unsafe kratom products and products that do not come with a proper warning label.
Through kratom lawsuits, Herman, Katz, Gisleson & Cain can help plaintiffs hold manufacturers and sellers accountable while seeking compensation for injuries. Kratom product liability lawsuits can obtain compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, and emotional distress. For those who have lost a loved one to kratom-related issues, a kratom wrongful death lawsuit can provide compensation for lost earning capacity, loss of companionship, attention, and affection, as well as mental pain and suffering, and other damages.
Contact HKGC at 844-943-7626 for more information or schedule a free case consultation to discuss your injuries associated with kratom.
