In a landmark case, the family of Krystal Talavera, a 39-year-old Florida mother of four, was awarded $11 million in a wrongful death lawsuit against a kratom distributor. Talavera died due to “acute mitragynine intoxication,” a compound found in kratom, which has opioid-like effects. The FDA has not approved kratom for sale in the U.S., but it is often sold online and in convenience stores. While some states have banned it, the herb remains in a legal grey area. Advocates claim it helps with pain management and opioid withdrawal, but the FDA warns against its use due to risks like liver toxicity and seizures. The lawsuit alleged that the distributor marketed kratom as an all-natural supplement without adequate warnings, highlighting the need for regulatory oversight.
For more details, read the full article on NBC News.
