KRATOM
Kratom (Mytragynine) is a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia. Its leaves contain compounds that can have mind-altering effects. Kratom has gained popularity as an herbal supplement, but it can pose several risks and dangers, including:
Addition: Regular use of kratom can lead to addiction and dependence, where the body becomes accustomed to the effects of using kratom and people can experience strong withdrawal symptoms when kratom use is discontinued. Regular use of kratom can cause an increase in tolerance. When a person’s tolerance level to kratom increases, higher doses will be required to get the same effect.
Health Risks: Use of kratom can lead to various health issues including organ damage, seizures and death.
Interactions with Medications: Kratom can interact with other drugs, including prescription medications, which can lead to adverse reactions.
Contamination: Kratom products can be contaminated with other toxic substances and dangerous for human consumption.
Psychological Effects: Kratom can cause psychological issues such as depression and anxiety, and can make underlying health conditions worse.
Pursuing Legal Action
Once a decision is made to pursue a claim, it’s CRUCIAL to promptly retain legal counsel, as it is essential to preserve evidence to correctly identify the proper parties necessary for a claim. We have concluded from our experience that those responsible for making kratom available employ tactics to evade accountability, such as setting up sham companies and dodging legal service. Dealing with such strategies demands aggressive, diligent and timely action by law firms and attorneys experienced in litigating against kratom defendants.
Texas residents who have lost a loved one to a kratom overdose can file a wrongful death lawsuit. Kratom is marketed as an herbal supplement designed to help people manage addiction, pain and anxiety, among other things. What makes it lethal is the absence of guidance regarding dosage; without clear guidelines on how much to take, users run the risk of overdosing. Moreover, kratom users often increase their dosage (and thus their risk) over time to feel the same effects as when they started taking it.
Though kratom is mostly unregulated, it is legal — almost anyone can walk into a store in Texas and buy it. Texas officials have tried to pass legislation requiring warning labels on kratom packets, but without much success so far. Without these labels and other regulations, more lives will be lost, and more loved ones will have to turn to wrongful death lawsuits for justice.
Who Can Collect Damages And What Must They Prove?
There are limits to who can file a Texas wrongful death lawsuit. If your loved one died of a kratom overdose, you are eligible to take legal action if you were their child, parent or spouse.
Once you establish your relationship with the deceased, you must prove the following two elements to be true to receive damages for your loved one’s death:
- Your loved one ingested kratom.
- Your loved one’s death was caused by ingesting kratom.
Who Can Loved Ones Hold Accountable?
In wrongful death cases involving kratom, plaintiffs have various parties they can hold accountable, depending on the situation. These parties include:
- The kratom seller
- The kratom supplier
- The kratom manufacturer
Seeking damages from the kratom seller is often the least effective route. Many kratom sellers are mom-and-pop shops (where kratom is only one of their many offerings) without sufficient insurance. For plaintiffs to collect the damages they deserve, their best option may be to go after the kratom manufacturer or distributor.
The Effects Of Kratom
Many people start using kratom, whether dissolved or in tablet form, with the hope of finding relief from their struggles. Unfortunately, these intentions can lead to misuse and can have negative effects on users’ health. Some may experience convulsions, hallucinations or seizures; others may lose their lives.
If you have lost a child, parent or spouse to a kratom overdose, know you do not have to go through your heartbreak alone. Seeking help from an experienced wrongful death attorney can be a helpful way of achieving justice and closure.
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