Angels–Skaggs Wrongful-Death Case Goes to Jury After Closing Arguments

Overview

• Deliberations are expected to begin Tuesday in Orange County after nearly four hours of closing arguments.
• Plaintiffs argue the Angels knew or should have known communications director Eric Kay was addicted and supplying opioids to players, while the team says any drug activity was concealed and outside his role.
• Kay is serving a 22-year federal sentence for providing a fentanyl-laced counterfeit oxycodone pill, and a coroner found Skaggs died of asphyxia with fentanyl, oxycodone and alcohol in his system.
• The family seeks about $118 million in lost earnings plus emotional distress and potential punitive damages, citing a property-damage theory tied to a fentanyl-contaminated iPad.
• Insurers for the Angels are closely tracking the case and could influence a last-minute settlement, including a possible high–low agreement that would ensure a minimum payout regardless of the verdict.