Legal Battle Over Tyler Skaggs’ Death Puts Los Angeles Angels in the Spotlight
In Santa Ana, California, a civil trial is underway to determine the responsibility of the Los Angeles Angels in the overdose death of pitcher Tyler Skaggs. The 27-year-old succumbed to a fentanyl-laced pill during a team trip to Texas in 2019. The trial has brought forward accusations against both the team and former communications director Eric Kay.
Representing Skaggs’ family, attorney Daniel Dutko claims the Angels failed to act on known issues regarding Kay’s drug use and distribution. Evidence presented in court suggests team officials overlooked Kay’s possession of pills and his hospitalization for a drug overdose, allowing him continued access to players. Dutko argues, “This is a systematic breakdown over and over and over,” highlighting Kay’s role in supplying drugs to team members.
Conversely, Todd Theodora, the Angels’ attorney, argues that Skaggs was the one pushing for drugs. Theodora contends that neither the team nor the players’ families were aware of Skaggs’ addiction, and that the players involved deliberately hid their activities to protect their careers. “This is illegal activity that they concealed because they did not want the team to know about it,” Theodora stated, emphasizing Skaggs’ voluntary drug use.
The wrongful death lawsuit, filed by Skaggs’ widow and parents, seeks damages from the Angels, alleging negligence in addressing Kay’s addiction and distribution activities. Kay, convicted in 2022 for providing the fatal pill, is serving a 22-year prison sentence. During his trial, testimonies from MLB players confirmed receiving oxycodone from Kay between 2017 and 2019.
Testimonies in the ongoing California trial have included accounts from Angels outfielder Mike Trout, team president John Carpino, and relatives of both Skaggs and Kay. Witnesses recounted Kay’s erratic behavior and incidents leading to his rehabilitation stint before traveling with the team. Notably, players reportedly compensated Kay for performing stunts in the clubhouse.
Eric Kay’s ex-wife, Camela Kay, testified about the Angels’ lack of support for her then-husband, citing his long work hours and the fact that during his 2019 overdose hospitalization, he had pills meant for Skaggs. Carpino expressed regret over not knowing about the drug activities sooner.
Skaggs, who had been with the Angels since 2016 and previously played for the Arizona Diamondbacks, consistently dealt with injuries throughout his career. Following his death, MLB and the players association agreed to implement opioid testing, directing those who test positive to a treatment board.
The Skaggs family is pursuing compensation for lost earnings, pain, suffering, and punitive damages. While family experts estimate Skaggs could have earned over $100 million, experts for the Angels argue the potential earnings would not have exceeded $32 million.
