In a wrongful death trial, attorneys for Tyler Skaggs’ family argued that the Los Angeles Angels are responsible for the pitcher’s 2019 overdose death, while the team’s lawyers countered that Skaggs’ own actions led to his demise. The civil case, which began on Tuesday in Santa Ana, California, centers on whether the team’s negligence contributed to the tragedy.
The trial opened with starkly contrasting narratives from both sides. Shawn Holley, the attorney for Skaggs’ family, claimed that the Angels repeatedly ignored evidence that communications director Eric Kay was addicted to opioids and dealing drugs to players, including Skaggs. She outlined multiple instances where Kay’s drug use was apparent at work, such as being seen snorting lines in the clubhouse in 2016, and argued that the team failed to enforce its drug policies, putting players at risk.
On the other hand, Angels’ attorney Todd Theodora maintained that the team was unaware of Skaggs’ drug issues and that his death was the result of his decision to mix alcohol with illicit narcotics. Theodora presented autopsy findings showing lethal levels of oxycodone, fentanyl, and alcohol in Skaggs’ system, stressing that the Angels would have helped him if he had disclosed his struggles. He also showed photos from the hotel room, including drug remnants and a snorting straw.
The case arises from Skaggs’ death in July 2019, when he was found dead in a Texas hotel room during a team trip. Eric Kay, convicted in 2022 for providing the fentanyl-laced pill, is serving a 22-year sentence. The lawsuit, filed by Skaggs’ wife and parents in 2021, seeks $118 million in damages for lost earnings and emotional distress.
Expected to last six weeks, the trial will hear testimony from key figures such as former Angels employees and players like Mike Trout. It will scrutinize the team’s handling of drug-related issues, including allegations that Kay’s addiction was known as early as 2013, with interventions in 2017, yet he was retained and even assigned to trips after rehab.
This trial occurs amid a national overdose crisis, with fentanyl playing a significant role in many deaths. Following Skaggs’ death, MLB and the players’ association agreed to implement opioid testing and treatment programs, reflecting the case’s broader implications for sports and public health. The outcome could influence how professional teams manage substance abuse and accountability.
As the jury deliberates the evidence, the decision may set important precedents for responsibility in sports organizations, balancing player welfare against organizational oversight in high-stakes environments.