Ryan Bradley | October 3, 2025 | Car Accident \ Missouri Law
Kratom Lawsuits – Key Takeaways:
- Kratom is causing deaths and serious injuries. Studies show that kratom, especially when containing high-potency synthetic compounds, may be a dangerous substance, with thousands of deaths documented across multiple states in recent years.
- The FDA cracks down on kratom. In July 2025, the FDA sent warning letters to seven companies selling concentrated 7-hydroxymitragynine kratom products. The agency cited potential health risks, including liver damage and deadly reactions.
- Families are winning multi-million-dollar kratom lawsuits. Recent kratom compensation includes $11.6 million in Florida and $2.5 million in Washington. Several lawsuits are ongoing.
Millions of Americans have turned to kratom for pain relief and health issues, but recent studies reveal troubling side effects and even deaths among users. As a result, victims and their families are now pursuing legal action against manufacturers. And they are winning multi-million-dollar settlements.
Kratom remains legal in most states, but legislation is starting to catch up to the potential dangers of kratom. Several states have banned the substance in recent years, with others imposing strict kratom regulations. In addition, the FDA released a warning letter in July 2025, cautioning against its use.
As the death toll keeps climbing and personal injury lawsuits are piling up, understanding kratom’s risks is vital. Discover the latest kratom litigation news and how to get justice if you or a loved one was negatively affected by kratom.
What Is Kratom and Why Is It Dangerous?
Kratom comes from the Mitragyna speciosa tree, native to Southeast Asia, where people have traditionally chewed the leaves for energy during long work days. However, traditional users in Asia might simply chew a few fresh leaves, while American products contain potent and concentrated extracts that deliver much higher doses.
Kratom is sold as concentrated powders, pills, gummies, energy drinks, and even mixed into CBD products. The substance is as easily available as your daily grocery shopping at convenience stores, smoke shops, and even online retailers. But its safety has recently been questioned.
The Controversial Compounds in Kratom
The plant naturally contains two controversial compounds: mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH). These chemicals affect the same brain receptors as opioids. However, high-potency kratom products often contain artificially elevated levels of 7-OH. And while kratom advocates call it a “safe” alternative to prescription pain medication, scientific research tells a different story.
A study published by the National Library of Medicine found that kratom-related accidental death reports were 63 times greater than expected. And despite being widely and easily available, kratom isn’t approved by the FDA as a drug or dietary supplement.
Since 2021, health agencies across 40 states and Washington, D.C., have documented over 2,000 deaths linked to synthetic kratom use. Most people who died after using kratom had other substances in their systems at the same time, pointing to dangerous interactions. Even common anxiety and depression medications may turn deadly when mixed with synthetic kratom.
July 2025: FDA Cracks Down on Synthetic Kratom Products
In July 2025, the FDA sent out warning letters to companies selling concentrated 7-hydroxymitragynine synthetic kratom products. This compound is linked to serious health risks and fatalities. The FDA identified several issues:
- Dependency: Kratom may cause physical dependence. Some users report withdrawal experiences similar to those with opioid use.
- Liver and Kidney Issues: Frequent and high-dose use of kratom has been linked to organ damage, including liver toxicity.
- Deadly Interactions: Fatalities involving the substance have been documented, particularly when kratom is used alongside other substances and medications.
The recent warning letter by the FDA may mark a turning point for kratom-related personal injury litigation, equipping attorneys with concrete evidence from a government agency warning manufacturers and citing the dangers of kratom.
Kratom Companies Now Face a Wave of Lawsuits
Families of individuals who died due to taking kratom are increasingly seeking to hold manufacturers accountable. And they’re winning multi-million-dollar payouts. Here are some notable recent kratom lawsuits:
- $11 Million Verdict in Florida: Krystal Talavera died in 2021 after consuming a kratom product called “Space Dust.” Her family recently recovered more than $11 million in damages.
- Texas Lawsuit Over Deadly Kratom Tea: In 2022, the Hernandez family filed a wrongful death lawsuit after their loved one passed away after drinking kratom tea. The lawsuit alleges that manufacturers misrepresented kratom as a safe alternative to opioids.
- Washington State Jury Awards $2.5 Million: A 2023 verdict in Washington marked the first jury decision in a kratom-related wrongful death case. The jury awarded $2.5 million to the family of Patrick Coyne, who died after using “Kratom Divine.”
- Emerging Class Action Lawsuits: Consumers across the U.S. are filing class actions against kratom producers. The lawsuits allege misleading marketing and unregulated potency, among other failures. These cases may soon evolve into larger coordinated mass tort litigation.
Kratom Side Effects: What You Should Know
Kratom doesn’t affect everyone the same. People may experience different side effects depending on how frequently they use it and their individual health status. Kratom users report side effects ranging from minor irritations to life-threatening problems. Consumers are also discussing their side effects from kratom and struggles with dependency on Reddit and Quora.
Common Side Effects of Kratom
Kratom users may experience these side effects even at low or infrequent use:
- Digestive Issues. Some people report feeling nauseous and constipated after taking kratom. Stomach pain and loss of appetite were also noted as side effects.
- General Discomfort. Kratom use can make you feel groggy and drowsy, which can impact your ability to drive or operate machinery.
- Lack of Energy and Sleep Problems. Despite claims about kratom increasing energy, you may feel fatigued or suffer from insomnia and other sleep issues.
Kratom’s Serious Health Risks
Some of these potentially life-threatening side effects have led to fatalities and wrongful death lawsuits:
- Liver Damage. High-potency kratom may be hard on the liver and cause severe toxicity. Some individuals may even require a liver transplant.
- Neurological Problems. Even people without epilepsy may experience seizures with Kratom use. Individuals may also experience confusion, hallucinations, and memory problems.
- Respiratory Depression. At high doses, kratom can slow breathing significantly. Dangerous and potentially life-threatening respiratory problems can increase when you combine kratom with other substances and medications.
- Addiction and Dependence. If you use kratom regularly, you could become physically dependent. Users may experience withdrawal symptoms, like irritability and intense cravings.
- Drug Interaction Dangers. Since kratom interferes with the liver enzymes responsible for breaking down medications, it may increase the potency of anxiety or pain medications. Kratom can also be risky if you take medications for blood pressure and heart conditions.
- Over-the-Counter Risks. Even over-the-counter cold and allergy medicines containing antihistamines can become dangerous when you combine them with kratom.
Which States Have Kratom Laws?
Kratom laws and regulations vary widely, depending on where you live. To date, six states have banned kratom completely: Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin. Louisiana’s ban will became active August 1, 2025. Other states, like Texas and South Carolina, while not banning the substance outright, have passed strict consumer protection acts limiting potency levels and introducing age restrictions.
Other jurisdictions are also considering stricter kratom laws, such as mandating age limits and scheduling kratom as a controlled substance. These developments suggest that the days of buying kratom like candy at gas stations may be numbered.
If You’re Using Kratom: Warning Signs and What to Do
If you’re a kratom user, you may not realize that you’re in danger until symptoms severely impact your health and daily life. Recognizing the warning signs early can save lives and prevent serious health complications.
Emergency Symptoms Requiring Immediate Medical Help
Some kratom-related symptoms call for immediate medical assistance. Call 911 or visit an emergency room right away if you experience any of the following:
- Difficulty breathing
- Severe nausea and vomiting
- Confusion, disorientation, or changes in mental state
- Signs of liver problems, such as yellowing of the skin or eyes
- Seizures or uncontrollable muscle movements
- Chest pain or irregular heartbeat
Signs of Developing a Kratom Addiction
Since a kratom addiction can develop gradually, users may miss vital warning signs. Here are some signs that could point to an addiction:
- Increasing the frequency or dose of kratom
- Feeling unable to stop consuming kratom despite wanting to
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms like muscle aches and irritability
If kratom use is interfering with your work or daily responsibilities, consider seeking medical advice. Your doctor can help create a gradual tapering plan or recommend addiction treatment resources to get off kratom safely without putting your health at risk.
Harmed by Kratom? You Could Have a Legal Case
When companies put untested and unregulated health products on the market without adequately warning consumers about known risks, they put the lives and health of millions at risk. And when you or a loved one is harmed, you could hold manufacturers and distributors accountable and recover damages.
Can I Sue A Kratom Company?
The families winning millions in kratom litigation all have similar stories. A loved one bought kratom, thinking it was safe because companies market it as a “natural” and safe supplement. The product had little or no warning labels. The person got seriously hurt or died as a result of their kratom use. If this has happened to you, consider taking action:
- Document Your Case: Gather evidence, like kratom packaging and leftover product. Save receipts, credit card statements, and anything showing where you bought the kratom.
- Seek Medical Advice: Get copies of all your medical records from emergency room visits, hospital stays, and doctor appointments related to kratom use.
- Write Down Everything: Note any side effects and when they started.
Time to File a Lawsuit Is Limited
Depending on where you live, your state laws may only give you a short window to file a personal injury lawsuit. The clock is already ticking. Most states give you two to three years from when you got hurt or from when your loved one died. But if you miss that deadline, you could lose your chance at compensation forever.
The sooner you consult a personal injury attorney, the better your chances of recovering what you deserve. Most attorneys handling kratom cases offer free consultations and only get paid if you win. That means you can find out if you have a legal case without spending any money on lawyer fees upfront.
You Could Receive Kratom Compensation
The kratom cases making headlines involve high stakes and millions of dollars in compensation. Medical bills pile up fast when kratom lands you in intensive care or causes liver damage requiring ongoing treatment or even a liver transplant. If injuries prevent you from working, you could recover lost wages and future earnings in addition to any healthcare expenses and other economic damages.
Courts may also award money for pain and suffering. These so-called non-economic damages can cover physical pain, emotional trauma, and how the injury changed your life. When someone dies, families may be entitled to compensation for funeral costs, lost financial support, and the emotional devastation of losing a loved one.
Sometimes judges award punitive damages when companies acted especially egregiously. This could happen when a company knew kratom was dangerous but kept selling it anyway, or when they kept serious side effects under wraps, deliberately misleading customers about safety.
Bradley Law Fights for Kratom Victims and Families
If you suffered a serious injury or a loved one died from kratom products, remember that you’re not alone or powerless against corporate manufacturers. Bradley Law is here to stand by your side. As a small boutique firm that regularly secures multi-million-dollar results against the largest insurance companies, we don’t back down from a fight for what is right and just.
Mounting scientific evidence and successful lawsuits prove that kratom dangers are real. We can investigate your case, preserve evidence, and fight for maximum compensation. With contingency-based attorneys’ fees, you pay nothing unless we win. Contact us today for a free consultation to explore your legal options.
Disclaimer: This website is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical/legal advice.