Tyler Skaggs’ Family Seeks Justice in Wrongful Death Civil Suit Against Angels

Details

A highly anticipated civil trial is nearing its conclusion, with a jury set to deliberate on the fate of the Los Angeles Angels in a wrongful death lawsuit brought by the family of late pitcher Tyler Skaggs. After 30 days of testimony from 44 witnesses and the presentation of 312 exhibits, both sides have delivered their closing arguments, leaving the jury to weigh the evidence and determine the Angels’ level of responsibility in Skaggs’ tragic death.

The Case Against the Angels

Skaggs’ attorney, Daniel Dutko, argued that the Angels were negligent in their handling of former communications director Eric Kay, who is serving 22 years in federal prison for providing the fentanyl-laced pill that led to Skaggs’ death on July 1, 2019. Dutko claimed that the Angels knew of Kay’s drug abuse but failed to follow their own policies in addressing the issue, instead engaging in a “gaslighting” campaign to shift blame away from themselves.

The Angels’ Defense

In a counterargument, Angels attorney Todd Theodora maintained that Skaggs was a drug user and dealer, and that he was the driving force behind other Angels players purchasing pills from Kay and abusing opiates. Theodora argued that the Angels handled Kay’s drug addiction properly and that the team “knows right from wrong.”

Key Questions for the Jury

The jury will have to answer several crucial questions, including whom they hold responsible for Skaggs’ death and how much money to award, if any. The potential damages at stake could reach hundreds of millions of dollars. The jury will also have to determine comparative fault and assign a percentage of responsibility, with Dutko suggesting that the Angels were between 70 to 90 percent responsible and Skaggs and Kay shouldering 10 percent each.

What’s at Stake

If the jury finds in favor of the plaintiffs, they will have to consider three types of damages: economic damages, non-economic damages, and punitive damages. Economic damages relate to Skaggs’ potential future earnings, with the Skaggs side arguing for a range of $91 million to $101 million and the Angels contending for $0 to $30 million. Non-economic damages, such as “loss of love,” are more subjective and can have a less concrete range. Punitive damages, which aim to punish the defendant and deter future similar conduct, require proof that the iPad from which Skaggs snorted the fentanyl was damaged before his death.

Conclusion

The case has been contentious from the start, with both sides presenting their versions of events. The jury’s decision will have significant implications for the Angels and the Skaggs family, and could set a precedent for future wrongful death cases in California.

Source: Link