Kratom Cause of Multiple Wrongful Deaths
A person can die from eating contaminated foods, taking wrong medications, or using unregulated products. One unregulated product that has been at the center of legal attention over the past year. We’re talking about kratom, which is a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia. Kratom has recently become a staple in western culture, but the problem is that it is unregulated and it’s killing people.
Kratom has been used in herbal medicine since the 19th century. It is often used for chewing, smoking, and tea to produce stimulant or sedative effects in people.
Kratom use has become popular in the United States, with thousands of businesses selling the product across the country. Kratom is now a billion-dollar business in the United States, with more than 2,000 tons imported into the country every month.
Kratom is known for its various benefits, including increased energy levels, pain relief, improved mental health conditions, and feelings of pleasure or euphoria. It has also been known to help with substance abuse disorder.
Kavasutra, a bar in Lantana, Florida, is one of thousands of U.S. businesses that sells kratom. Kratom can also be found at gas stations, vape shops, and even online.
While many people tout the benefits of kratom, kratom is deemed unsafe by the U.S. government. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says that kratom may be addictive. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) says that kratom may cause dependence and lead to addiction.
Kratom is also considered to be deadly. Dozens of wrongful death lawsuits that have been filed over kratom and how it is marketed. A couple happened in Florida. In 2021, a 39-year-old mother of four from Boynton Beach died from acute kratom intoxication. That same year, a 30-year-old man from Palm Beach Gardens died from a lethal combination of alcohol and kratom.
Lack of Warnings
Various lawsuits are accusing vendors of selling a dangerous product without proper warnings and instructions. The FDA warns Americans not to use kratom, saying it stimulates the same brain receptors as morphine. However, the agency doesn’t regulate the product or classify it a drug. Instead, it is considered to be a food. This means that consumers have to guess at the makeup of myriad powders, capsules and concentrates flooding the market. Plus, there is no guidance on how to use them safely, complicating matters.
Contact a Personal Injury Attorney Today
We expect that the products we buy are safe for consumption. When a product like kratom is causing people to die, something needs to be done.
Losing a loved one due to a preventable death can be heartbreaking. A Tampa wrongful death attorney from Moore Law will take on the task of securing appropriate and adequate compensation from the responsible party who caused this needless sorrow. Schedule a free consultation today by calling 813-510-5400 or filling out the online form.
Source:
npr.org/2023/07/08/1186514144/kratom-herbal-supplement-lawsuits-deaths-fda