A Florida woman’s family has been awarded over $11 million in damages from a distributor of kratom, a south-east Asian herbal extract that has opioid-like effects. Krystal Talavera died in 2021 after ingesting kratom. Judge Donald Middlebrooks ruled that the company operating as the Kratom Distro must pay damages to Talavera’s four surviving children and her estate. Talavera’s oldest son expressed hope that the award would highlight the dangers of kratom. The US Drug Enforcement Agency had previously imposed restrictions on kratom but later rescinded them. The US Food and Drug Administration has warned consumers about potential safety and addiction risks associated with the substance. Ramon Antonio Vargas reported

Family of Florida Woman Awarded $11M in Lawsuit Against Kratom Distributor

The family of Krystal Talavera, a Florida woman who tragically died in 2021 after ingesting kratom, has been awarded over $11 million in damages from a distributor of the Southeast Asian herbal extract. In a ruling finalized by Judge Donald Middlebrooks of the federal courthouse in West Palm Beach, Florida, the company known as Kratom Distro was ordered to pay damages to Talavera’s four surviving children and her estate.

Judge Middlebrooks acknowledged that no amount of money can make up for the pain and suffering endured by Talavera’s children, but emphasized that the defendant must be held accountable. Talavera’s oldest son, Devin Filipelli, expressed hope that the family’s award would raise awareness about the dangers of kratom. However, he acknowledged that no amount of money can bring his mother back or alleviate his pain.

The owner of Kratom Distro, Sean Michael Harder, declined to comment on the judgment or whether he intends to seek a reversal. The judgment was a default one, as the company did not defend itself in the litigation.

Kratom, made from the leaves of an evergreen tree, is known to have an opioid-like effect on the brain. It has been used by individuals to self-treat pain, anxiety, depression, opioid addiction, and withdrawal. In 2016, the US Drug Enforcement Agency imposed strict restrictions on kratom, but faced public backlash and eventually rescinded the prohibition. The US Food and Drug Administration, however, has warned consumers about the potential safety and addiction risks associated with kratom and has called for further research.

Talavera’s family stated that friends had introduced her to kratom years before her death, and she considered it a safe and natural supplement. On the day of her death, Talavera’s partner found her unconscious in their living room after she had taken kratom purchased online from Kratom Distro. She was later pronounced dead at the hospital. An autopsy revealed that Talavera died from acute intoxication from mitragynine, a main component of kratom that can produce opioid-like effects, including respiratory failure.

Devin Filipelli, who had just graduated from high school when his mother passed away, filed a lawsuit against Kratom Distro. The grief he experienced derailed his plans for college. Talavera’s ex-husband, Benny Flores, also shared the struggle their two sons faced in moving on from their mother’s untimely death.

Tamara Williams, one of the attorneys representing Talavera’s family, stated that the judgment should serve as a wakeup call to the kratom industry. She emphasized the need for government officials to take action to prevent unnecessary kratom overdose deaths.

This case follows another recent lawsuit in Washington state, where a kratom manufacturer was ordered to pay $2.5 million in damages in a wrongful death lawsuit. These legal victories highlight the potential risks associated with kratom and the need for further regulation and research in the industry.

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