Skaggs Family Settles Lawsuit, Calls for MLB Action

The Los Angeles Angels reached a confidential settlement with the family of deceased pitcher Tyler Skaggs on Friday, bringing an end to a lengthy legal battle surrounding Skaggs' death. The Skaggs family had sought $118 million in lost earnings and additional damages, following Skaggs' death in 2019 from a fentanyl-laced pill given to him by Angels employee Eric Kay, who is currently serving a 22-year federal prison sentence for his involvement.

The trial revealed jurors believed the Angels ignored rules regarding player safety and that there was shared culpability among Skaggs, Kay, and the team. The Skaggs family expressed gratitude to the jury and emphasized the need for MLB to hold the Angels accountable to prevent future tragedies, as they continue to honor Tyler's memory.

The trial included testimony from 44 witnesses over 31 days, with jurors indicating they were close to awarding non-punitive damages ranging from $70 million to $90 million, and considering punitive damages of around $10 million.

The Angels maintained they were unaware of Kay's distribution of drugs, arguing that Skaggs' own decisions contributed to his death. The family’s attorney criticized the Angels for failing to act on knowledge of Kay's drug issues, while Angels' attorneys claimed that Kay was acting independently and that Skaggs concealed his addiction from the team.

This case raises significant questions regarding player safety and the responsibilities of MLB teams regarding substance abuse, potentially prompting broader changes within the league.