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Have You (or a Loved One) Suffered Seizures, Overdose, Organ Damage, Liver Failure, Heart Failure, Lung Hemorrhaging, Respiratory Failure, Death or Other Injury After Using Products Containing Kratom?
Kratom Injury or Death Lawsuits & Settlements
Reviewed by Jacobs Kolton, Chtd. Attorneys at Law; Updated June 2026
Kratom lawsuits involve claims that manufacturers, distributors, vendors, or retailers of kratom products may have failed to adequately warn consumers that kratom could be associated with serious injuries, including seizures, overdose resulting in hospitalization, liver failure, heart failure, lung hemorrhaging, respiratory failure, or death.
Our team of products liability injury lawyers and class action attorneys is investigating potential Kratom injury or wrongful death lawsuit cases and settlement claims involving individuals who suffered serious injury or complications or died after using Kratom products.
If you or a loved one were injured, suffered complications or died after using Kratom products, you may be entitled to recover compensation from a Kratom lawsuit case or settlement claim.
Kratom (a/k/a mitragyna speciosa) is an herbal substance or extract from the dried leaves of a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia. Kratom contains chemicals (bioactive alkaloids) that may produce opioid-like effects (i.e., relaxation, pain relief and confusion) and stimulant-like effects (i.e., increased energy, alertness and rapid heart rate).
Individuals report using kratom to self-treat conditions such as pain, coughing, cramps, diarrhea, anxiety, depression, opioid use disorder, and opioid withdrawal. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health, in 2021 an estimated 1.7 million Americans aged 12 and older used kratom.
However, the FDA has not approved any prescription or over-the-counter drug products containing kratom or its main chemical components (mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine). Indeed, the FDA has warned the public against the use of kratom for medical treatment, as a dietary supplement, or as a food additive because of the risk of serious adverse events which may include liver toxicity, seizures, heart failure, respiratory failure, liver failure, lung hemorrhaging and, in some cases, death.
Injured individuals (and family members of victims who died from Kratom) are now coming forward and filing Kratom injury or death lawsuits seeking compensation and justice for the harm they have suffered.
Kratom Injury & Death Lawsuits: Overview
- What Is The Kratom Lawsuit About?
- What Is Kratom (Mitragyna Speciosa)?
- What Do People Use Kratom For?
- Are Attorneys Investigating Kratom Lawsuits & Settlements?
- Who May Qualify For a Kratom Lawsuit or Settlement?
- What Are Some Key Facts To Know About Kratom Lawsuits?
- What Type of Injuries Might Be Linked to Kratom?
- What Are Side-Effects or Complications From Kratom Use?
- Are There Medical Studies or Warnings About Kratom Injuries?
- What Companies May Be Sued Over Kratom?
- Which Kratom Products May Be Involved In Litigation?
- What Are Some of The More Popular Kratom Brands?
- What is The Status of Kratom Injury Lawsuits?
- Can I Recover Compensation From a Kratom Lawsuit?
- Can Family Members Sue For Wrongful Death?
- Is There A Deadline To File a Kratom Lawsuit?
- Request A Free Case Review From A Kratom Injury Lawyer
For answers to common questions, visit our Kratom Lawsuit FAQs page.
Kratom Lawsuit & Settlement Claims
Kratom lawsuit and settlement cases potentially being investigated include claims involving individuals who, after using products containing Kratom, suffered serious side effects, injuries or complications including:
- Seizures
- Liver failure
- Heart failure
- Cardiotoxicity
- Respiratory failure
- Lung hemorrhaging (bleeding into lung)
- Lung damage
- Kidney damage
- Hepatotoxicity
- Kratom overdose resulting in hospitalization
- Kratom poisoning
- Coma
- Acute mitragynine intoxication
- Other toxic effects of mitragynine
- Death
- Other Kratom injury lawsuit cases
If you or someone you love suffered injury or died after using Kratom products, you may be eligible to recover monetary compensation from a Kratom injury or wrongful death lawsuit or settlement case.
Who May Qualify for a Kratom Lawsuit
Individuals may qualify for a Kratom injury or wrongful death lawsuit case or settlement claim if they (or a loved one):
- Used Kratom Products: Used certain Kratom products such as kratom powders, capsules, tablets, extracts, liquid shots, tinctures, gummies, teas, resins, oils, concentrates, or other products containing kratom, mitragynine, or 7-hydroxymitragynine.
- Suffered Serious Injury or Died From Kratom Use: Suffered serious injury or complications after using Kratom products, such as seizures, overdose resulting in hospitalization, liver failure, heart failure, lung hemorrhaging, respiratory failure, coma or death.
Other criteria may apply in order to be eligible. Not all individuals or cases qualify for a Kratom injury or death lawsuit. Individuals may not qualify if: (1) the only claimed injury is Kratom addiction; (2) only minor or temporary side effects or injuries were experienced; (3) there is insufficient evidence connecting the injury or death to kratom use; (4) the injury or death was caused by another unrelated condition or substance; (5) the claim is outside the statute of limitations or statute of repose period (if an individual waits too long they may be legally barred from suing); (6) there is no identifiable defendant with sufficient assets or insurance coverage to pay a judgment; and/or (7) medical records do not support the claims. Individuals may not qualify for other reasons.
Kratom Lawsuit: Summary Of Key Information
| Key Information | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Kratom | Kratom is an herbal substance made from the leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa tree. |
| Types of Kratom | Kratom products may be sold as capsules, powders, gummies, tablets, extracts, concentrated shots, teas, or drink mixes. |
| Active Compounds | Kratom contains alkaloids such as mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, which may affect opioid receptors in the brain. |
| Kratom Use in the U.S. | Kratom use is widespread in the United States, but estimates vary. The FDA cites SAMHSA data estimating that about 1.7 million Americans aged 12 and older used kratom in 2021, while the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health estimated about 1.6 million annual users. |
| Kratom Brands | Kratom brands include O.P.M.S., MIT45, Remarkable Herbs, Kraken Kratom, Club 13, Krave, Earth Kratom, Whole Herbs, Bumble Bee, Klarity, Chief Kratom, New Dawn Kratom, and other Kratom brands. |
| Possible Kratom Injuries | Potential kratom injuries include seizures, overdose resulting in hospitalization, organ damage, liver failure, heart failure, cardiotoxicity, respiratory failure, lung hemorrhaging or damage, kidney damage, hepatotoxicity, kratom poisoning, coma, acute mitragynine intoxication or death. |
| Kratom Overdose Resulting In Hospitalization | A kratom overdose resulting in hospitalization occurs when a person suffers severe or life-threatening toxic effects after using kratom and needs emergency medical care, monitoring, or inpatient treatment in a hospital ER or ICU. A kratom lawsuit may allege that the kratom product lacked adequate warnings about dosage, potency, drug interactions, or overdose risks. |
| Kratom Lawsuit | A Kratom lawsuit is a legal action brought against a defendant (the sued party) alleging that a kratom product caused injury or death. |
| Potential Defendants | Defendants may include kratom manufacturers, distributors, importers, wholesalers, online sellers, smoke shops, gas stations, supplement companies, or retailers that sold the product. |
| Possible Legal Claims | A kratom lawsuit may include claims for failure to warn, defective product design, negligent manufacturing, mislabeling, deceptive marketing, wrongful death, survival damages and other possible claims, depending on the product, injury, evidence, and jurisdiction. |
| Helpful Evidence | Helpful evidence may include kratom product packaging, labels, receipts, online order history, photos of the product, brand names, lot numbers, medical records, emergency room records, hospitalization records, toxicology reports, autopsy reports, death certificates, pharmacy records, witness statements, and proof of damages. |
| Possible Compensation | Depending on the facts of the case and jurisdiction, injured individuals (or certain surviving family members or heirs of a deceased individual) may seek compensation for medical bills and other expenses, lost wages or income, reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress, wrongful death damages and other possible damages. |
Kratom Injury & Death Lawsuit Complaints
Kratom lawsuits have been filed by individuals and families seeking to recover money damages for injuries suffered after using Kratom containing products. According to the Kratom lawsuit complaints, plaintiffs suffered severe injuries (e.g., Kratom overdose or poisoning) or died as a result of using Kratom.
Plaintiffs in Kratom lawsuit cases have alleged that consumption of Kratom can lead to adverse health impacts, including, respiratory depression, nervousness, agitation, aggression, sleeplessness, hallucinations, delusions, tremors, loss of libido, constipation, skin hyperpigmentation, nausea, vomiting, severe withdrawal, seizures, psychosis, heart arrhythmias, overdose and lung damage, among others.
Kratom lawsuits have further alleged, among other things, that defendants failed to provide labeling instructions for responsible use of Kratom and for failing to warn of or disclose the safety concerns that may be associated with Kratom.
Kratom cases have been filed in state and federal courts. Unlike some other product liability litigations, kratom injury and wrongful death cases have not yet been centralized into a single nationwide federal MDL.
Kratom Lawsuit News, Court Updates, Verdicts, Awards & Reported Settlements
Recent updates and news on reported Kratom lawsuits, verdicts, awards, court rulings, and settlements include:
- May 2026: – Current Status of Kratom Lawsuits: Kratom injury and wrongful death lawsuits are being investigated and filed in state and federal courts. There is currently no publicly established nationwide kratom MDL or global injury settlement program. Recent lawsuits continue to focus on allegations that kratom manufacturers, distributors, and retailers failed to warn consumers about risks of overdose, seizures, organ damage, respiratory depression, and death.
- March 2026 – Louisiana Kratom Wrongful Death Case Continues: On March 30, 2026, a federal court in Louisiana issued an order granting in part and denying in part Defendants motion to dismiss a kratom wrongful death/product liability case involving allegations that an OPMS kratom product was unreasonably dangerous because of inadequate warnings and a defective design. The lawsuit alleged that Harmony Moller died after consuming OPMS kratom. The case highlights how plaintiffs are increasingly targeting not only retailers, but also alleged distributors, manufacturers, and related business entities in the kratom supply chain.
- March 2026 – Missouri Wrongful Death Lawsuit Filed: On March 6, 2026, a Kansas City-area family filed a wrongful death lawsuit in Jackson County Circuit Court after David Thacker allegedly died from mitragynine, the primary alkaloid in kratom. The lawsuit alleges that kratom manufacturers and sellers sold products without adequate warnings and that one retailer sold “house blend” kratom in unmarked bags with no warning labels.
- 2025 – FDA Targets Concentrated 7-OH Products: In July 2025, the FDA issued warning letters to companies marketing products containing 7-hydroxymitragynine, also known as 7-OH, including tablets, gummies, drink mixes, and shots. Later that month, the FDA announced that it was recommending scheduling action for certain 7-OH products under the Controlled Substances Act, while clarifying that the action targeted concentrated 7-OH products rather than natural kratom leaf products. These developments may be relevant to future kratom product liability claims involving potency, labeling, warnings, overdose, or death.
- September 2024 – Colorado Wrongful Death Lawsuit Filed: The widow of Robert Simmons filed a wrongful death lawsuit in Colorado state court alleging that kratom companies and sellers failed to disclose the risks of kratom, failed to provide adequate warning labels, and marketed kratom products for purported medicinal benefits despite no FDA approval for those uses.
- February 2024 – Oregon Kratom Wrongful Death Lawsuit Filed: On February 27, 2024 a Kratom wrongful death lawsuit complaint was filed by the estate of an individual who allegedly suffered seizures and convulsions and died after consuming Kratom due to alleged “toxic effects of mitragynine,” (i.e., kratom overdose). The Kratom lawsuit, styled as the Estate of Matthew J. Torres by Mary C. Torres v. House of Pipes et al., Case No. 24-CV-10003, Multnomah County Circuit Court in the State of Oregon, asserts claims for negligence, strict liability, breach of implied warranty of merchantability, negligent misrepresentation and negligence per se. The Kratom wrongful death lawsuit seeks, among other things, damages for disability, pain, and suffering of the decedent, reimbursement for medical expenses, compensation to decedent’s beneficiaries for pecuniary loss to the decedent’s estate and/or beneficiaries and for loss of the society, companionship and services of the decedent.
- December 2023 – Washington Kratom Wrongful Death Lawsuit Filed: On December 8, 2023, a Kratom lawsuit complaint was filed by the estate of a 37-year-old man who passed away after ingesting Kratom products. The Kratom wrongful death suit, captioned as the Estate of Jordan McKibban by Jordan McKibban v. Jopen et al., Case No. 23-2-01183-08, Superior Court of State of Washington, alleges claims for failure to warn, design and manufacturing defect, breach of warranty, misrepresentation, negligence and unfair trade practices and seeks general and special damages, among other things.
- July 2023 – Florida Court Awards $11 Million in Kratom Wrongful Death Case: On July 26, 2023 a Judge, in a Kratom wrongful death lawsuit styled as Devin Filippeli as personal representative of the Estate of Krystal Talavera v. Grow, LLC (d/b/a KD Incorporated and The Kratom Distro) et. al., Case No. 22-81731-CV-Middlebrooks, United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, awarded $11 million dollars to the family of a 39 year old woman who died after taking Kratom.
- July 2023 – Washington Jury Awards $2.5 Million in Kratom Death Case: On July 18, 2023 a jury, in a Kratom wrongful death lawsuit styled as Sybil Coyne individually and as Personal Representative of the Estate of Patrick Coyne, deceased, vs. Society Botanicals, LLC (d/b/a Kratom Divine) et. al., Case No. 20-2-00874-08, Superior Court of the State of Washington, Cowlitz County, awarded $2.5 million to the family of a 39-year-old man who died after consuming Kratom powder.
Kratom Products Potentially Being Investigated
Kratom injury lawsuit cases and settlement claims potentially being investigated include claims involving individuals who were injured or died after using products that contained Kratom, including:
- Kratom powder
- Kratom capsules
- Kratom pills
- Kratom tablets
- Kratom extracts
- Kratom tinctures
- Kratom gummies
- Kratom oil
- Kratom shots
- Kratom tea
- Kratom liquids
- Kratom resin
- Kratom smoothies
- Kratom shakes
- Kratom paste or slurry
- Fresh kratom leaves
- Other types of Kratom products
Individuals who use kratom typically swallow or ingest it in the form of a pill, capsule or tablet, in the form of a powder or liquid extract (i.e., an oil, resin, tincture, paste, etc.) mixed with drinks (shakes, smoothies, etc.) or washed down with beverages (i.e., toss and wash method), in the form of dried or powdered leaves brewed as a tea, by chewing the leaves, by eating the leaves in food and, less commonly, by smoking the leaves.
Potential defendants in Kratom injury lawsuits may include kratom manufacturers, kratom suppliers, kratom distributors, kratom vendors and/or Kratom retailers, among others.
Kratom Brands
Some of the more well-known Kratom brands have included:
- O.P.M.S Kratom
- Super Speciosa
- Golden Monk
- Top Extracts
- Koi Kratom
- Kraken Kratom
- Kingdom Kratom
- Kratom Country
- Kratom Spot
- K-Tropix
- Kats Botanicals
- Happy Go Leafy
- Mit45
- Just Kratom
- Whole Herbs Kratom
- Nova Kratom
- Chief Kratom
- Earth Kratom
- Klarity Kratom
- Kratom Kaps
- Kratom Source USA
- Organic Kratom USA
- PurKratom
- Remarkable Herbs Kratom
- Left Coast Kratom
- Kratom Krates
- Happy Hippo Herbals
- Other Kratom brands
Kratom Side Effects and Complications
Complications and side effects of Kratom can potentially include:
- Tachycardia
- Seizures
- Tremors
- Hallucination
- Respiratory depression
- Difficulty breathing
- Addiction
- Sedation
- Altered mental status
- Tongue numbness
- Frequent urination
- Loss of libido
- Constipation
- Dry mouth
- Aggression
- Agitation
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Insomnia
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Cardiac issues
- Heart attack
- Abnormal heart rhythms
- High blood pressure
- Encephalopathy (brain disease)
- Hypothyroidism
- Liver damage
- Rhabdomyolysis
- Skin hyperpigmentation
- Kratom toxicity
- Coma
- Death
- Other Kratom side effects and complications
The adverse effects of Kratom can range from mild side effects (e.g., nausea, constipation, dizziness and drowsiness) to severe side effects (e.g., tremors, seizures, heart problems, lung problems, liver problems and death). According to Mayo Clinic, poison control centers in the United States received about 1,800 reports involving use of kratom from 2011 to 2017, including reports of death and seizures, among others.
Medical Studies & Warnings About Kratom Risks
| Medical Study or Warning | Summary |
|---|---|
| FDA, “FDA and Kratom,” 2025 | The FDA warns consumers not to use kratom because of the risk of serious adverse events, including liver toxicity, seizures, substance use disorder, and rare deaths associated with kratom use. The FDA also states there are no FDA-approved kratom drug products or over-the-counter drugs containing kratom legally on the U.S. market. |
| NIH LiverTox, “Kratom,” 2020 | LiverTox states that chronic recreational kratom use has been linked with acute liver injury, usually within 1 to 8 weeks of regular use. Reported symptoms may include fatigue, nausea, itching, dark urine, jaundice, and in severe cases acute renal failure or bone marrow toxicity. |
| Botejue et al., “Kratom-Induced Liver Injury: A Case Series and Clinical Implications,” 2021 | This case series discussed drug-induced liver injury associated with kratom use and presented cases of kratom-related liver injury. |
| Burke et al., “Breakthrough Seizure Associated With Kratom Use in Patients With Epilepsy,” 2021 | The authors presented three cases of seizures following kratom use and noted that large poison center reviews had suggested an association between kratom use and seizure reports. |
| Sangani et al., “Unusual Presentation of Kratom Overdose With Rhabdomyolysis, Transient Hearing Loss, and Heart Failure,” 2021 | This case report described a kratom overdose involving lethargy, confusion, rhabdomyolysis, compartment syndrome, acute kidney injury, liver dysfunction, cardiomyopathy, emergent fasciotomy, and hemodialysis. The article notes that kratom overdose has been associated with seizures, respiratory depression, hallucinations, coma, and cardiac arrest. |
| Bin Abdullah M. F. I. L. et al., “The Adverse Cardiovascular Effects and Cardiotoxicity of Kratom,” Frontiers in Pharmacology, 2021 | This review found that kratom has been linked in case reports with ventricular arrhythmia, cardiopulmonary arrest, cardiotoxicity, and death, especially at higher doses or with other substances. |
| Towers EB, Thomas YT, Holstege CP, Farah R. Increases in Kratom-Related Reports to Poison Centers — National Poison Data System, United States, 2015–2025. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2026;75:139–145. doi:10.15585/mmwr.mm7511a1. | CDC reported a sharp increase in kratom-related poison center exposure reports from 2015 through 2025. CDC says NPDS data from January 1, 2015–December 31, 2025 were analyzed, and U.S. poison centers documented 14,449 kratom exposures over that period; 2025 had 3,434 reports, about a 1,200% increase from 258 in 2015. |
| Chinnappan et al., “Kratom-Induced Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS),” European Journal of Case Reports in Internal Medicine, 2023 | This case report described progressive respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation, with multifocal lung infiltrates and a diagnosis of kratom-induced ARDS after other workups were negative. |
| Kanchustambham et al., “Kratom-Associated Diffuse Alveolar Haemorrhage,” Respirology Case Reports, 2025 | This report described a patient who developed diffuse alveolar hemorrhage shortly after heavy kratom ingestion. Imaging and bronchoscopy confirmed hemorrhage. |
| Parikh et al., “Kratom-Associated Acute Right Ventricular Dysfunction,” JACC Case Reports, 2025 | This case report described acute right ventricular failure linked with heavy kratom use. |
Compensation For Injury or Death From Kratom
Plaintiffs who bring kratom lawsuits may be able to recover compensation for injuries suffered, including money damages for losses incurred as a result of using Kratom products, such as:
- Compensatory damages for pain and suffering
- Loss of wages or earnings due to missed work
- Loss of future earning capacity
- Medical care expenses incurred or to be incurred
- Other out of pocket expenses
- Loss of quality or enjoyment of life
- Mental anguish/emotional distress
- Loss of consortium
- Other possible Kratom damages
Certain family and loved ones of individuals who died as a result of using Kratom products may also be able to recover financial compensation from a Kratom wrongful death lawsuit or settlement claim.
Kratom wrongful death lawsuit damages might include, among other things, pecuniary losses suffered by a surviving spouse or next of kin of the deceased family member, such as past and future loss of money or income, benefits, goods, services, and loss of society (i.e., the mutual benefits that each family member receives from the other’s continued existence, including love, affection, care, attention, companionship, comfort, guidance, and protection).
Time Is Limited To File A Kratom Lawsuit
Specific deadlines called statutes of limitation and statutes of repose may limit the amount of time that individuals have to file a Kratom lawsuit to try to recover compensation for injuries they claimed to have suffered after using Kratom-containing products.
This means that if a Kratom lawsuit case is not filed before the applicable time limit or deadline, a claimant may be prohibited from ever pursuing litigation or taking legal action regarding the Kratom injury claim. That is why it is important to connect with a Kratom injury lawyer or Kratom wrongful death attorney as soon as possible.
If you or a loved one were injured after using Kratom products, you may be entitled to compensation from a Kratom lawsuit or settlement. Contact an injury lawyer to request a free case review.
*If you or a loved one are experiencing health issues, side effects or complications from a Kratom product, we urge you to promptly consult with your doctor or physician for an evaluation.
**The listing of a company or product (i.e., Kratom) is not meant to state or imply that the company acted illegally or improperly or that the product is unsafe or defective; rather only that an investigation may be, is or was being conducted to determine whether legal rights have been violated.
***The use of any trademarks, tradenames or service marks is solely for product identification and/or informational purposes.
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