UPDATE: The Los Angeles Angels are facing serious allegations in a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of Tyler Skaggs, who tragically died from a drug overdose in 2019. In explosive opening statements on October 3, 2023, the family’s lawyer accused the team of failing to enforce its own drug policies, allowing an addicted employee access to players.
Attorney Shawn Holley claimed the Angels’ communication director, Eric Kay, who is currently serving a 22-year prison sentence for providing Skaggs with a fentanyl-laced pill, was known to be addicted and had been observed high at work. Holley emphasized that the team overlooked Kay’s drug use, directly contributing to Skaggs’ death.
“They buried their heads in the sand over and over and over again, and as a result, Tyler Skaggs is dead,” Holley told jurors in the Santa Ana courtroom. The family is seeking $118 million in damages, citing lost earnings and emotional suffering.
The lawsuit highlights the systemic issues surrounding drug use within Major League Baseball (MLB). According to Holley, Kay provided drugs to at least six players, including Skaggs, through various means at the team’s facilities. This alarming pattern raised questions about the Angels’ responsibility for player safety.
“Eric regularly supplied the drugs they needed to perform and they trusted him,” Holley stated, depicting a culture of drug use that permeated the team environment.
In response, lawyers for the Angels plan to argue that Skaggs was off duty and that his actions within the privacy of his hotel room could not be prevented by the organization. They will also reference the autopsy results, which indicated that Skaggs had consumed alcohol and oxycodone in addition to fentanyl at the time of his death.
The civil trial, which could last weeks, takes place more than six years after Skaggs was found dead in a hotel room in Texas prior to a scheduled game against the Texas Rangers. A coroner’s report revealed that Skaggs choked on his vomit, with a toxic mix of substances found in his system.
The fallout from Skaggs’ death prompted the MLB to implement new opioid testing protocols and treatment referrals, reflecting a growing concern over addiction issues among players. The current opioid crisis, particularly among young people, has led to overdose deaths becoming the leading cause of death for those aged 18-44 in the United States.
As the trial unfolds, all eyes will be on potential testimony from high-profile players, including Angels outfielder Mike Trout, who may shed light on the culture surrounding drug use within the team.
This lawsuit not only seeks justice for Tyler Skaggs but also raises critical questions about the responsibility of sports organizations in safeguarding their players. The implications of this case could reverberate throughout the league and beyond, highlighting the urgent need for reform in how addiction is handled in professional sports.
Stay tuned for more updates as this developing story progresses, with key testimonies expected in the coming days.
