Kratom manufacturer and retailer sued following death

A family has filed a lawsuit against a manufacturer and retailer of kratom, alleging the herbal product contributed to the death of a 55-year-old woman. According to a coroner’s report, the cause of death was acute mitragynine intoxication, with chronic alcohol use cited as a contributing factor. Mitragynine is a primary compound found in kratom, a supplement derived from a Southeast Asian tropical tree.

Kratom is frequently used by individuals attempting to self-treat conditions such as pain, coughing, diarrhea, and opioid withdrawal symptoms. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) notes its use for these purposes, though the product remains controversial.

Legal representative Michael Jeandron stated that the lack of government regulation allows manufacturers to use terms like ‘natural’ and ‘botanical’ to mislead consumers regarding safety. He argued that without stricter oversight, the civil justice system remains the primary mechanism for holding manufacturers accountable for potential harm to users.