**Angels Reach Settlement in Tyler Skaggs Wrongful Death Case**
The Los Angeles Angels have settled a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of Tyler Skaggs, who tragically passed away in 2019. Skaggs died after consuming fentanyl-laced oxycodone, which was provided by the team’s former communications director, Eric Kay, along with alcohol. Kay is currently serving a 22-year prison sentence for his role in the incident.
While the specific terms of the settlement remain undisclosed, Skaggs’ family initially sought $118 million in damages, which included lost earnings, compensation for pain and suffering, and punitive damages against the Angels. The team contended that Skaggs made the decision to take the drugs during his personal time and argued that they should not be held responsible for his death.
During the trial, jurors deliberated for three days, with speculation suggesting a favorable outcome for the Skaggs family. Tyler Skaggs was found deceased in a hotel room in Southlake, Texas, just before the Angels were scheduled to play the Texas Rangers. A coroner’s report indicated that he choked on his own vomit after ingesting the toxic combination.
In a statement, Skaggs’ family expressed gratitude to the jury and their legal team, stating, “This trial exposed the truth, and we hope Major League Baseball will now do its part in holding the Angels accountable. While nothing can bring Tyler back, we will continue to honor his memory.”
The trial also revealed that former New York Mets pitcher Matt Harvey admitted to supplying drugs to Skaggs during their time as teammates with the Angels. Other players, including C.J. Cron, Mike Morin, and Cam Bedrosian, testified that they had also received drugs from Kay. Morin argued that Skaggs was ultimately responsible for his own actions.
Mike Trout, a three-time MVP, testified about the unusual behavior of players paying Kay for strange stunts, which raised concerns about the potential misuse of funds for drugs. Trout noted that he had only seen Skaggs use marijuana and alcohol, never suspecting he was involved with harder substances.
Carli Skaggs, Tyler’s widow, and his mother, Debbie Hetman, also provided testimony during the trial. Carli revealed that she was aware of Skaggs’ previous addiction to Percocet but was unaware of his continued drug use at the time of his death. She disclosed that Skaggs had developed his addiction during his tenure with the Arizona Diamondbacks in the early 2010s, a fact she learned only after they had been dating for about a year.
As the case concludes, the Skaggs family hopes that the outcome will prompt Major League Baseball to take further action regarding the Angels’ accountability in this tragic situation.
**FAQ**
**What was the cause of Tyler Skaggs’ death?**
Tyler Skaggs died from asphyxiation after ingesting fentanyl-laced oxycodone and alcohol, leading to choking on his own vomit.
