Kratom Lawsuits: Injuries, Health Risks and Who May Qualify

You can buy kratom almost anywhere, even at gas stations and convenience stores.

Harvested from the leaves of a tropical tree found only in a small swath of Southeast Asia, kratom is frequently sold as an energy booster, mood enhancer, and pain reliever. Some people even use it to ease the ill effects of opioid withdrawal. Its active ingredient is 7-hydroxymitragynine, also known as 7-OH, a chemical that activates some of the same receptors as actual opioids.

Some supplement companies market kratom as a safe and natural product, but medical experts believe it carries far more risks than manufacturers are willing to admit. Even the federal government has voiced concerns about kratom and its natural byproduct, 7-OH.

“The rise in the use of concentrated 7-OH as an illegal ingredient in foods and dietary supplements is of particular concern to the FDA,” an FDA official said after federal agents seized tens of thousands of 7-OH units from a series of Missouri-based businesses.

Even though the dangers of kratom and 7-OH are well-known, companies continue to sell them with few instructions and minimal warnings. Many people still believe that kratom is natural and safe to use. Of course, it is hard to make the right decision when the industry is committed to giving you the wrong information.

If you have been hurt by kratom, this is what you need to know about:

The Risks Of Kratom And 7-OH

Medical experts are generally of the opinion that kratom offers few health benefits while posing many significant risks. This is because even occasional kratom use can cause side effects like:

1. Dry mouth;
2. Weight loss;
3. Constipation;
4. Liver damage;
5. Muscle pain; and
6. High blood pressure.

Kratom can also hurt the body from the inside out, potentially damaging the nervous system. This can lead to symptoms like dizziness, depression, and trouble breathing. Some people even report hallucinations and experience delusions as the result of kratom use. In a small number of cases, kratom users have died from complications; many more have been hospitalized.

The Case Against The Kratom Industry

Kratom is still marketed as a safe supplement even though it has well-documented dangers.

Today, many former kratom consumers are taking a stand. In courts all across the country, people have filed lawsuits against manufacturers for misleading the public about the risks of 7-OH.

Each of these lawsuits is unique, but most make the same core arguments:

1. The kratom industry failed to warn consumers about health risks;
2. Kratom and 7-OH continue to be marketed as natural and safe despite a large body of evidence to the contrary; and
3. Companies have failed to take meaningful safety measures despite receiving multiple reports of kratom-related injuries and deaths.

Your Rights After A Kratom Injury

You could be entitled to file a kratom injury lawsuit if:

1. You have used kratom or another 7-OH supplement;
2. You experienced serious physical complications or side effects from kratom or another 7-OH supplement; and
3. Your injuries led you to sustain damages.

Your damages are compensation for the hardship you have experienced as a result of a kratom-related injury. Your damages are unique to your case, but they could include relief for:

1. Your hospital bills;
2. The costs of future care;
3. Lost income from work;
4. Emotional pain and suffering;
5. Physical pain and suffering;
6. Loss of enjoyment; and
7. Wrongful death.

Compensation In A Kratom Injury Lawsuit

If you think you could have a case, contact the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. today at 1-716-839-3939 to speak to a kratom injury lawyer and schedule your 100% free, no-obligation consultation as soon as possible.