Kratom Lawsuits

People are filing kratom lawsuits because some companies didn’t warn about serious risks like addiction, seizures, organ damage and death. Manufacturers market many of these products as safe herbal supplements, but lawsuits claim that they failed to warn consumers about the dangers.

Most kratom lawsuits say companies failed to warn about known dangers and used misleading marketing. Legal complaints claim manufacturers did not inform consumers about the risk of overdose, addiction or serious health problems, like trouble breathing or dangerous drug interactions.

People filing these lawsuits often suffered from poisoning or long-term health problems after using unregulated kratom products.

Kratom lawsuits usually fall into two main types: individual lawsuits, which may include wrongful death cases, and class action lawsuits over consumer issues. Both individual and wrongful death lawsuits typically claim that kratom products caused harm because companies failed to warn about risks or sold unsafe products.

Individual kratom lawsuits are personal cases filed by people who received injuries from kratom, or by their families after death. Common injuries include addiction, liver damage, overdose and exposure to contaminated products.

Class action and product lawsuits allow multiple people to join together in suing companies for similar injuries. These cases often focus on consumer issues involving false advertising, incorrect labels or unsafe kratom in powders, pills or drinks.

If you received injuries from kratom or your family lost a loved one, you may be able to file a kratom lawsuit. However, you will need evidence connecting kratom to the injury. These cases usually focus on whether companies failed to warn about risks or provide safe products. This information can help you understand your legal rights, but it does not guarantee a specific result.

People who experienced serious health problems after using kratom may be eligible for individual injury lawsuits. These cases often claim that the products were too dangerous and lacked sufficient warnings.

Attorneys file wrongful death lawsuits on behalf of families who lost loved ones due to injuries from kratom, especially if toxicology or medical reports support the case. These claims say that companies knew about deadly risks, such as overdose or drug interactions, but did not share this information.

If you or someone close to you experienced serious adverse effects from kratom, you might qualify to file a lawsuit. It’s important to act quickly, since most states give you only one to three years to start a case. Taking the right steps can help you hold companies responsible.

Once you file a kratom lawsuit, it may still take several years to reach a settlement or verdict.

Before you speak with a lawyer about a kratom lawsuit, try to collect as much evidence as possible that shows kratom caused your injuries or a loved one’s death. This makes it easier for the attorney to determine whether you have a case.

If you do not have all the evidence, such as a doctor’s opinion or medical records, your lawyer might be able to help you get it.

While the FDA warns about both drug and food safety issues with kratom, it’s not regulated by the federal government, so each state has its own laws. At least 18 states have some type of kratom regulations.

At least six states — Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Rhode Island, Vermont and Wisconsin — and Washington, D.C. have banned kratom or its main ingredients as controlled substances. The other 12 states have rules about who can possess, sell or produce kratom, often based on age.

These different laws indicate safety concerns and suggest that better warnings and protections may be necessary.

Since 2024, Florida and Georgia have updated state kratom laws that may widen the ability of kratom lawsuit attorneys to file cases.

After pressure from families, Georgia passed a law in May 2024 raising the age to purchase kratom to 21, limiting alkaloid levels in products and requiring stores to keep kratom behind the counter.

In August 2025, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier issued an emergency rule that adds 7-OH, the chemical found in kratom leaves that gives them opioid-like effects, to the list of Schedule 1 drugs. This means Florida now considers 7-OH to have no accepted medical use and a high risk for abuse. In Florida and across the United States, doctors cannot prescribe Schedule 1 drugs or give them out for medical treatment.

In November 2025, an industry group sued over Florida’s 7-OH ban, arguing that the state acted without public hearings.

Many kratom lawsuits come from safety issues highlighted by federal health agencies and medical or scientific studies. These problems include contamination, hidden ingredients and products that are much stronger than buyers expect.

The FDA has warned that some kratom products can be dangerous. Kratom products can act like opioids and sometimes contain other harmful substances.

The FDA has issued warning letters to manufacturers and distributors over harmful products marketed as having concentrated 7-OH levels. The products included gummies, tablets and drink mixes.

The FDA has also issued warnings after kratom caused Salmonella outbreaks in several states. The contamination led to “numerous illnesses and recalls,” according to the FDA. The agency also found unsafe levels of heavy metals such as lead and nickel in kratom products.

Kratom is not FDA-regulated, so its strength and purity can change significantly from one product to another.

A 2020 study in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found that kratom can be much more potent in some brands or even in different batches. This means users might end up taking more than they intend.

Researchers found that many kratom products in stores have unpredictable and variable amounts of the main ingredient, mitragynine. Some products also contain germs that could make users sick, or dangerous metals like lead and nickel.

Researchers described their findings as “troubling.”

Kratom products can be risky, especially if labels are unclear or the health claims seem unrealistic. Knowing how to spot warning signs and when to contact a doctor can help keep you and your family safe.

Government and medical experts say no kratom product is proven safe, but some options may be less risky. Be careful with products that make big promises.

Carefully reading labels helps you understand what you are taking and spot warning signs. Still, keep in mind that kratom labels are not reviewed like drug labels, so they may lack information crucial to user safety.

Health agencies recommend talking to a doctor if you use kratom, especially if you notice new or concerning symptoms.

Call 911 immediately if you or someone near you experiences symptoms of an overdose, such as sudden unresponsiveness, breathing problems, blue or purple skin, unusually small pupils or an altered mental condition.

Can you sue a kratom manufacturer or retailer?

If you or someone you care about has experienced severe adverse effects from a kratom product, you may have the right to sue the manufacturer, distributor or retailer. People across the United States are already filing lawsuits, and some cases may lead to significant verdicts and settlements.

What injuries have the most common links to kratom lawsuits?

Most kratom lawsuits claim that using the herbal supplement can lead to premature death, severe liver damage, seizures and addiction or substance use disorder (SUD). They usually say that manufacturers and distributors did not properly warn people about these serious health risks.

Are there kratom class action lawsuits?

There are ongoing kratom class action lawsuits, as well as individual cases in the United States. These lawsuits claim that manufacturers and distributors used deceptive marketing and did not warn consumers about serious health risks like addiction, severe injury and death.

What is the difference between a wrongful death and an individual injury lawsuit?

Someone who received injuries but survived can file a personal injury lawsuit. It covers things like medical bills, pain and lost wages. If a person dies due to someone else’s negligence, their family or estate may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit. This type of case seeks compensation for funeral costs, lost financial support and loss of companionship. The main differences are who files the lawsuit and what types of damages they can recover.

Are kratom lawsuits happening in my state?

If you want to find out about kratom lawsuits in your state, you can talk to a lawyer or visit your state’s official agency websites. You might check with your state’s attorney general or consumer protection division. There is no central public database because courts handle most cases individually. You can also get helpful updates from legal news services like Consumer Notice.

What evidence do I need if I believe a product harmed me?

If you think a kratom product has harmed you, collect evidence such as your medical records, proof of purchase and details about the product. This information is important whether you plan to report the issue to the FDA or take legal action.