Tyler Skaggs Case: Will Angels Insurers Offer Settlement? Wrongful Death Lawsuit Update

In July 2019, the baseball world was shocked by the untimely death of Los Angeles Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs. The 27-year-old was found dead in his hotel room, and an autopsy revealed he had died from asphyxia after aspirating his own vomit, with a toxic mix of alcohol, fentanyl, and oxycodone in his system. The fentanyl was traced back to a counterfeit oxycodone pill provided by Eric Kay, the Angels’ communications director. This tragedy has led to a complex legal battle, with a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the Skaggs family against the Angels. As the case heads to a jury, the question looms: Will the Angels’ insurers offer a settlement?

The Lawsuit: Allegations and Key Arguments

The Skaggs family filed their lawsuit in June 2021, alleging that the Angels knew, or should have known, that Kay was supplying drugs to Skaggs and other players. The lawsuit claims the Angels are responsible for Skaggs’ death due to negligence, creating a dangerous environment where drug use was enabled. The family seeks compensation for lost earnings, pain, suffering, and punitive damages. Initially, the family sought $210 million, but recent reports suggest this number has increased during the litigation process.

The Skaggs family argues that the Angels were negligent in failing to supervise Eric Kay, who had a history of drug addiction. They contend that Kay was acting within the scope of his employment when he provided Skaggs and other players with opioid pills, as Kay’s job included keeping players happy and ensuring they participated in media events. The family’s legal team presented evidence suggesting that several Angels employees knew about Kay’s drug use and failed to report or punish him, violating team and Major League Baseball policies. They argue that this “systematic breakdown” directly led to Skaggs’ death.

The Angels, on the other hand, argue that they were unaware of Skaggs’ drug use and that any interactions between Skaggs and Kay occurred on their own time and in the privacy of Skaggs’ hotel room. They claim that Skaggs was responsible for his own actions and concealed his drug use from the team, his family, and his agent. The Angels’ legal team also suggests that Skaggs was a long-time drug user who acquired pills from sources other than Kay. They argue that Kay was not acting as an employee of the team when he gave Skaggs the fatal pill, and therefore, the Angels should not be held liable.

The Role of Eric Kay

Eric Kay’s actions are central to the case. Kay was convicted in 2022 of providing Skaggs with the fentanyl-laced pill that caused his death and is currently serving a 22-year prison sentence. Testimony from Kay’s criminal trial revealed that he had been supplying drugs to multiple Angels players for several years. The Skaggs family argues that the Angels should have been aware of Kay’s drug use and his interactions with players, and their failure to intervene constitutes negligence.

Settlement or Trial: Weighing the Options

As the trial progresses, the Angels’ insurers face a critical decision: whether to offer a settlement or proceed to trial. Several factors influence this decision:

Risk Assessment: Trials are inherently risky, with unpredictable outcomes. A jury could find the Angels liable and award significant damages to the Skaggs family. Settling the case would eliminate this risk and provide a degree of certainty.
Financial Considerations: Settlements can be costly, but they may be less expensive than the potential damages awarded in a trial, especially considering the Skaggs family is seeking substantial compensation.
Reputational Damage: A trial could expose the Angels to further negative publicity, regardless of the outcome. A settlement might help mitigate some of this damage.
Legal Costs: Trials are expensive, involving significant legal fees and other costs. A settlement would avoid these ongoing expenses.

Legal Concepts at Play

Several legal concepts are central to the Tyler Skaggs case:

Negligence: The Skaggs family must prove that the Angels owed a duty of care to Skaggs, that they breached that duty, and that their breach directly caused Skaggs’ death.
Wrongful Death: This type of lawsuit is brought by the family of a deceased person, alleging that the death was caused by the negligence or misconduct of another party.
Scope of Employment: A key issue is whether Kay was acting within the scope of his employment when he provided Skaggs with the drugs. If he was, the Angels could be held liable for his actions.
Punitive Damages: The Skaggs family is seeking punitive damages, which are intended to punish the Angels for their alleged misconduct. However, under California law, punitive damages are only available in wrongful death cases if the deceased suffered property damage before death. The Skaggs family is arguing that Skaggs’ iPad was damaged by fentanyl residue, making punitive damages applicable.

Impact on Major League Baseball

The Tyler Skaggs case has already had a significant impact on Major League Baseball. In the wake of Skaggs’ death, MLB and the players’ union reached an agreement to start testing players for opioids and to refer those who test positive to the treatment board. The case has also led to increased scrutiny of team cultures and a greater emphasis on player health and safety.

The clock is ticking

With the trial underway and a jury deliberating, the Angels’ insurers must carefully weigh the risks and benefits of offering a settlement. The outcome of this case could have significant financial and reputational consequences for the team and could further influence how Major League Baseball addresses substance abuse issues. The decision to settle or proceed to trial is a high-stakes gamble with far-reaching implications.

Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. If you have any questions about wrongful death lawsuits or personal injury claims, please consult with a qualified attorney.