Headline: Florida Family Awarded $11 Million in Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against Kratom Manufacturer
Date: July 30, 2023
Byline: Ronny Reyes
In a recent federal lawsuit, the family of a Florida mom who tragically passed away after using kratom supplements has been awarded $11 million in a wrongful death judgment against the manufacturer. Krystal Talavera, a 39-year-old nurse and mother of four, lost consciousness and died after consuming kratom products.
The incident occurred on June 20, 2021, when Talavera intended to surprise her partner with a Father’s Day breakfast. However, she suddenly collapsed at their Boynton Beach home. Talavera’s partner, Biaggio Vultaggio, found her unconscious beside a coffee mug containing her recent purchase from The Kratom Distro – a product called “Space Dust” derived from the kratom plant. It’s worth noting that kratom is not regulated by the FDA.
Talavera was rushed to the hospital, where the Palm Beach County Coroner’s office determined her cause of death to be “acute mitragynine intoxication,” highlighting the powerful and potentially dangerous effects of kratom.
“This $11 million dollar judgment should be a wakeup call to the kratom industry about this dangerous and unregulated substance,” said Talavera’s lawyer, Tamara Williams, in a statement. “There are families across the country who know firsthand that kratom is addictive and can be deadly.”
Devin Filippelli, Talavera’s oldest son, filed the lawsuit against The Kratom Distro and distributor Grow LLC, alleging that his mother’s use of kratom supplements led to “opioid-like effects” and ultimately resulted in “respiratory failure.” Filippelli had been celebrating his high school graduation with Talavera the day before her tragic passing, and they were both excited about his future prospects at the University of Florida.
Talavera’s ex-husband, Benny Flores, shared the immense pain their two shared children have experienced, with their 6-year-old son even asking when his mother will be coming back.
According to the lawsuit, Talavera had been introduced to kratom products by a friend years before her death. She believed these products were safe and natural dietary supplements, unaware of the potential risks associated with their use.
Kratom products have gained popularity in the US, with approximately 1.7 million Americans using them in 2021. However, the FDA has cracked down on the industry due to concerns over product safety. In 2019, the agency discovered significant levels of lead and nickel in kratom products, which could lead to severe metal poisoning if consumed over an extended period.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also reported approximately 153 overdose deaths related to kratom use between July 2016 and December 2017.
During the ruling, West Palm Beach Circuit Judge Donald Middlebrooks expressed sympathy for Talavera’s family, drawing parallels between their grief and that experienced by Florida families affected by the unregulated tobacco industry in the past. Middlebrooks emphasized that while the awarded damages can never fully compensate for the loss, the decision was made based on precedents in previous cases.
The $11 million judgment includes a direct award of $7 million to Talavera’s children, who continue to mourn their mother’s sudden and tragic death.