Kratom Lawsuit Lawyers

What Makes Kratom So Dangerous?

Kratom comes from the leaves of Mitragyna speciosa, a tree native to Southeast Asia. Despite marketing claims about being a "natural herbal supplement", kratom contains powerful opioid-like compounds that can cause severe medical complications and death.

Here's what makes kratom particularly hazardous:

• Concentrated synthetic versions: Companies now sell products containing 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) that are more potent than morphine.
• No FDA oversight: Marketed as dietary supplements, kratom products escape drug safety regulations.
• Contamination widespread: FDA testing found dangerous levels of heavy metals in kratom products.
• Addiction potential: Regular users can develop severe physical dependence requiring medical detox.

The CDC has connected kratom to numerous deaths. Yet companies continue marketing these products to vulnerable populations, including people struggling with addiction and chronic pain, without adequate warnings about life-threatening risks.

The Medical Evidence Against Kratom

Scientific research has definitively linked kratom to severe organ damage and death. The evidence isn't anecdotal; it's documented in peer-reviewed medical studies that kratom manufacturers can't dismiss.

NIH-Funded Liver Injury Research

The U.S. Drug-Induced Liver Injury Network, funded by the National Institutes of Health, documented 11 confirmed cases of kratom-induced liver damage. All 11 patients developed jaundice, 73% required hospitalization, and liver injury appeared within just 14 days of first use. The damage was severe: some patients had bilirubin levels over 40 mg/dL, indicating life-threatening liver failure.

Chemical analysis confirmed that pure kratom alkaloids, not adulterants or contaminants, caused the liver damage. This eliminates manufacturer claims that problems stem from "bad products" rather than kratom itself.

CDC Death Investigation Results

The Centers for Disease Control analyzed 152 kratom-related deaths from 2016-2017 across 27 states. Medical examiners determined kratom was a cause of death in 91 cases (60%), including 7 deaths where kratom was the only substance detected.

FDA Enforcement Actions

In July 2025, the FDA took unprecedented enforcement action, sending warning letters to seven major kratom companies for illegally marketing concentrated 7-OH products. The FDA simultaneously recommended that the DEA classify 7-OH as a Schedule I controlled substance, with FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary stating that "7-OH is an opioid that can be more potent than morphine".

This federal acknowledgment of kratom's dangers provides powerful evidence for lawsuits against manufacturers who claimed their products were safe, natural supplements.

Understanding Kratom's Devastating Health Effects

Kratom causes a wide range of serious medical complications that manufacturers have systematically concealed from consumers.

Liver Damage and Failure

• Acute hepatotoxicity requiring immediate hospitalization
• Jaundice and cholestasis with bilirubin levels 10-20 times normal
• Elevated liver enzymes, indicating severe cellular damage
• Recovery periods lasting many months after stopping kratom
• Potential need for liver transplant in severe cases

Neurological Complications

• Seizures, affecting 6% of kratom users, according to poison control data
• Brain changes visible on MRI scans in chronic users
• Respiratory depression requiring mechanical ventilation
• Altered mental status and confusion during acute intoxication

Cardiovascular Effects

• Elevated blood pressure and rapid heart rate
• Myocardial infarction (heart attack) in previously healthy users
• Sudden cardiac death in young adults with no prior heart problems

Severe Physical Dependence

Unlike typical dietary supplements, kratom creates powerful physical addiction. Users report withdrawal symptoms, including muscle spasms, severe anxiety, depression, and inability to function. Many people who started using kratom to manage pain or addiction to other substances find themselves trapped in a new cycle of dependence.

FDA Timeline: Mounting Evidence Ignored by Industry

2016-2017: CDC documents 152 kratom-related deaths across 27 states.

2017-2018: FDA responds to multi-state Salmonella outbreak affecting 28 people, many of whom consumed kratom before becoming ill.

2018: First major medical study links kratom to specific liver injury pattern.

2019: NIH-funded research confirms kratom causes hepatotoxicity in multiple patients.

2020-2023: Growing number of states ban or regulate kratom due to safety concerns.

2024: At least 15 class action lawsuits filed against major kratom manufacturers.

July 2025: FDA sends warning letters to seven companies and recommends Schedule I classification for concentrated 7-OH products.

This timeline reveals how the kratom industry ignored mounting evidence of danger while continuing to market products as safe, natural alternatives to prescription medications.

Who Can File a Kratom Lawsuit?

You may have a valid legal claim if you:

• Used any kratom product, including powders, capsules, extracts, or concentrated forms.
• Developed liver damage, including elevated enzymes, jaundice, or hepatitis.
• Suffered seizures or other neurological complications after kratom use.
• Required medical treatment for kratom-related health problems.
• Became physically dependent on kratom, requiring medical detox.
• Lost a family member who died after using kratom products.

The specific brand and duration of use both matter for your case. We're investigating claims against manufacturers of all kratom products, from traditional leaf powders to concentrated synthetic extracts containing dangerous levels of 7-OH.

What If the Product Was Recalled?

Several kratom products have been subject to FDA recalls due to Salmonella contamination and other safety issues. If you used a recalled product, your case may be stronger because the recall demonstrates the manufacturer knew about safety problems.

Current Kratom Litigation Landscape

Kratom lawsuits are actively moving forward with multiple class action cases filed in 2024-2025. The litigation targets major kratom manufacturers, distributors, and retailers who marketed dangerous products as safe dietary supplements.

Recent Legal Victories

The Botanic Tonics settlement provided $8.75 million to consumers who purchased "Feel Free Wellness Tonic", marketed as a safe alcohol alternative without addiction warnings. This settlement establishes that kratom companies can be held liable for deceptive marketing and failure to warn about addiction risks.

Individual wrongful death cases have also succeeded, with verdicts and settlements recognizing that kratom manufacturers may bear responsibility for deaths caused by their products.

What This Means for Your Case

Being part of the litigation now ensures your case gets attention as these important legal precedents develop. Early cases often receive more favorable treatment and higher compensation as companies try to limit their exposure before the scope of liability becomes clear.

Compensation Available for Kratom Injuries

Every kratom injury case is unique, but victims may recover compensation for:

• Medical expenses for hospitalization, liver treatment, seizure care, and addiction treatment
• Lost wages from inability to work during illness and recovery
• Future medical costs for ongoing liver monitoring and addiction support
• Pain and suffering from serious illness and withdrawal symptoms
• Reduced quality of life affecting family relationships and daily activities
• Punitive damages for manufacturers' reckless disregard of known dangers

Factors That Affect Your Case Value

Several elements influence potential compensation:

• Severity of injury: Liver failure and seizures typically warrant higher compensation than milder symptoms.
• Duration of kratom use: Longer use periods often correlate with more severe health problems.
• Age and health status: Younger victims with decades of life ahead face greater long-term impacts.
• Impact on work and income: Some victims can no longer perform their jobs effectively.
• Need for ongoing treatment: Liver monitoring and addiction recovery services add up over time.

We fight for compensation that reflects the complete impact of kratom on your life and health, not just immediate medical bills.

How CohenMalad Can Help Your Kratom Case

We aren't a settlement mill. With attorneys recognized among the top in the nation and over $1 billion recovered for clients, we're a law firm that fights and wins against major corporations that harm consumers.

What You Can Expect Working with CohenMalad

• Free, no-obligation case evaluation to determine whether you have a strong claim.
• Thorough investigation into your kratom use, medical history, and current health status.
• Collaboration with medical specialists who understand kratom toxicity and can document your injuries.
• Aggressive pursuit of maximum compensation for your health problems and ongoing impacts.
• Trial-ready preparation so every case is built to win in court if necessary.

We take on manufacturers who deceive consumers and hold them accountable. If you've suffered health problems from kratom products, you need a legal team that won't be intimidated by corporate legal departments.

Our Track Record Against Dangerous Products

CohenMalad, LLP has successfully fought manufacturers and distributors in cases involving:

• Dangerous pharmaceuticals that caused serious side effects companies tried to hide.
• Defective medical devices that harmed patients despite safety claims.
• Corporate cover-ups in which companies concealed known risks from consumers.
• Supplement litigation affecting consumers who trusted deceptive marketing.

We know how these companies operate, and we know how to expose their deception in court.

The Legal Process for Your Kratom Lawsuit

Time Limits for Filing Your Kratom Lawsuit

There's a limited time to file a lawsuit for kratom-related injuries. Each state has its own statute of limitations, giving you a specific number of years from when you discovered the connection between kratom and your health problems.

Why Timing Is Critical

• Missing deadlines means losing your right to compensation forever
• Medical evidence becomes harder to obtain as time passes
• Product information and testing data may be destroyed
• Witness memories fade, and key personnel leave companies

The discovery rule may extend your deadline. Since kratom companies actively concealed health risks through deceptive marketing, the statute of limitations clock may not have started until you learned kratom could cause your specific health problems.

Don't gamble with your legal rights. Call us today for a free evaluation of your case and your filing deadline.