Angels Settle Wrongful Death Lawsuit with Tyler Skaggs’ Family
In a heartbreaking conclusion to a legal battle that exposed troubling aspects of professional baseball’s culture, the Los Angeles Angels and the family of pitcher Tyler Skaggs have reached a settlement in their wrongful death lawsuit. The case, which centered around the tragic death of the 27-year-old pitcher in 2019, brought to light how substance abuse and organizational negligence can intersect with devastating consequences in professional sports. Though the settlement terms remain confidential, the Skaggs family had initially sought $118 million for lost earnings, pain and suffering, and punitive damages against the team. The settlement came as jurors were in their third day of deliberations, with speculation suggesting a verdict might have favored the family.
The circumstances surrounding Skaggs’ death paint a somber picture of addiction and enablement within a professional sports environment. On a road trip in 2019, Skaggs was found unresponsive in a hotel room in Southlake, Texas, having choked on his own vomit after consuming fentanyl-laced oxycodone mixed with alcohol. The drugs were supplied by Eric Kay, the team’s former communications director, who is currently serving a 22-year prison sentence for his role in the tragedy. Throughout the trial, the Angels maintained that Skaggs took the drugs voluntarily during his private time, arguing that the team should not bear responsibility for his personal choices. This defense strategy highlighted the complex questions of accountability that often arise when personal choices intersect with workplace cultures and relationships.
The trial revealed uncomfortable truths about drug use within the Angels organization, as several players testified about their own experiences with substances and with Kay. Former Mets pitcher Matt Harvey admitted to supplying drugs to Skaggs, and other teammates including C.J. Cron, Mike Morin, and Cam Bedrosian testified that Kay had provided them with drugs as well. Perhaps most notably, superstar Mike Trout testified that players would pay Kay for performing bizarre stunts, with the money potentially funding Kay’s drug purchases. Trout stated that while he had witnessed Skaggs using marijuana and alcohol, he never suspected his teammate was using harder substances. These testimonies painted a picture of a clubhouse culture where drug use, while not necessarily openly acknowledged, existed beneath the surface of professional baseball.
The emotional testimony from Skaggs’ family members provided a deeply personal dimension to the case. His widow, Carli Skaggs, testified that while she knew about her husband’s previous addiction to Percocet that developed during his time with the Arizona Diamondbacks, she believed he had overcome it and was unaware he was still using drugs at the time of his death. She poignantly shared how she had “racked her brain for something I could have missed,” highlighting the often-hidden nature of addiction even from those closest to the affected individual. Skaggs’ mother, Debbie Hetman, testified that the Angels never inquired about her son’s previous addiction issues, suggesting that she would have disclosed this information had the team asked. She also revealed requesting alternative pain management approaches following her son’s Tommy John surgery in 2014, demonstrating her awareness of his vulnerability to addiction.
In their statement following the settlement, the Skaggs family expressed gratitude to the jury and their legal team, saying, “This trial exposed the truth, and we hope Major League Baseball will now do its part in holding the Angels accountable.” This sentiment reflects the family’s desire for broader accountability beyond the legal settlement, suggesting that systemic changes may be needed within baseball to better protect players. The case raises important questions about the responsibilities of sports organizations toward their athletes, particularly regarding substance abuse issues and the potential for enabling environments. While professional athletes are adults making their own choices, they also operate within team cultures that can either help or hinder healthy decision-making.
The tragedy of Tyler Skaggs’ death and its legal aftermath serves as a sobering reminder of how addiction can claim lives even amid the glamour and success of professional sports. While the settlement brings legal closure to the case, the family’s commitment to honoring Skaggs’ memory continues, as does the broader conversation about substance abuse in sports. For the Angels and Major League Baseball, this case may prompt reflection on policies and cultures that could better protect players from similar fates. Though no legal resolution can bring back the talented young pitcher whose life ended far too soon, the exposure of these issues through the trial process might help prevent future tragedies by bringing hidden problems into the light. As the family noted, “While nothing can bring Tyler back, we will continue to honor his memory” – perhaps the most meaningful tribute would be substantive changes that help other athletes avoid similar fates.
