In the ongoing wrongful death trial against the Los Angeles Angels, jury deliberations suggest that potential financial penalties are being considered. The family of former Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs is suing the team, alleging negligence in his 2019 death. Jurors have been deliberating for two days without reaching a verdict, but their questions to the judge indicate a focus on financial damages.
On Wednesday, jurors asked to review testimony from financial experts about Skaggs’ potential earnings if he had not died. Later, they inquired whether they could decide the amount of punitive damages, even though the verdict form did not include a field for it. These questions suggest that jurors are contemplating significant financial penalties for the Angels, although no decision has been made yet.
The trial, held in Orange County Superior Court, centers on the claim that the Angels knew or should have known about former communications director Eric Kay providing Skaggs with fentanyl-laced pills. Kay is serving 22 years in federal prison for his role in Skaggs’ death. The jury must decide on the team’s liability before addressing damages.
The Angels’ defense argues that Skaggs was responsible for his own death due to his secretive drug use. Meanwhile, the Skaggs family contends that the team failed to supervise Kay and ignored signs of his drug distribution. The jury’s decision could include economic, non-economic, and punitive damages.
As deliberations continue, the possibility of a mistrial looms if no verdict is reached by December 23. If needed, deliberations may resume in January. The case also involves the Angels’ insurers, who could influence a settlement to mitigate financial risks. Legal experts suggest that a high-low agreement could be reached, ensuring compensation for the Skaggs family even if the jury awards nothing.
Recent Comments