UPDATE: Settlement discussions between the family of Tyler Skaggs and the Los Angeles Angels have collapsed just ahead of a pivotal trial set to begin on Monday, October 16, 2023, in Orange County Superior Court. The Skaggs family is pursuing damages in a case that could reshape the narrative around player safety and accountability in Major League Baseball.
The trial, which follows a failed one-day settlement conference, will feature opening statements and witness testimony as the family seeks justice for the tragic death of Tyler Skaggs, who was found dead in a Texas hotel room on July 1, 2019. Autopsy results revealed he died from asphyxia caused by aspirating his own vomit, with a blood-alcohol level of 0.12 and the presence of opioids in his system.
Legal experts are surprised by the lack of settlement, given that approximately 95% of civil suits usually resolve before trial. The Skaggs family alleges the Angels were aware, or should have been aware, of former communications director Eric Kay’s distribution of drugs, which led to Skaggs’ overdose. Kay was sentenced to 22 years in federal prison for supplying counterfeit oxycodone laced with fentanyl.
The Angels have strongly denied any wrongdoing, stating that an independent investigation concluded no executives were informed of Kay’s actions. “The lawsuits are entirely without merit and the allegations are baseless,” the Angels stated following the filing of the lawsuit in June 2021.
During the trial, Skaggs’ lawyers will argue that the Angels failed to act on knowledge of Kay’s drug use, citing testimony that team physician Craig Milhouse prescribed hydrocodone to Kay multiple times. The Angels are expected to counter that Kay acted independently, with no team involvement in the drug transactions.
Damages sought by the Skaggs family could include projected future earnings, with earlier estimates stating they sought $210 million. However, that figure has reportedly increased during litigation, with speculation that future earnings could exceed $100 million if Skaggs had continued his career without addiction issues.
Witnesses expected to testify include current and former Angels executives, who could provide insight into the team’s knowledge of Kay’s drug-related activities. The trial is expected to last more than two months, with both sides remaining open to the possibility of a settlement at any point.
As the trial unfolds, legal analysts suggest that court rulings or witness performances could shift the landscape, potentially prompting a last-minute agreement. “Sometimes what triggers a settlement is a court ruling or a witness performing well or poorly,” said legal expert Edson K. McClellan.
This case not only impacts the Skaggs family and the Angels but also raises significant questions about player safety and the responsibilities of sports organizations regarding substance abuse. The emotional stakes are high, as the Skaggs family seeks accountability for a loss that has profoundly affected their lives.
The outcome of this trial could have lasting repercussions for Major League Baseball, as it confronts the realities of opioid use among players and the role of teams in safeguarding their athletes. Stay tuned for the latest updates as this critical case develops.