Charles R. “Rusty” Webb Named 2025 Nominee to Attorney and Practice Magazine’s “Top 10 Personal Injury Law Attorney — Raising the Bar” (West Virginia)

As the number of Kratom-related injury and wrongful death claims continue to rise, one law firm is stepping forward as a national authority on this emerging legal frontier. Based in Charleston, West Virginia, the Webb Law Centre, led by veteran trial attorney Charles "Rusty" Webb, is developing a unique and aggressive litigation strategy designed to hold kratom manufacturers and distributors accountable. In this article, we break down exactly how the Webb Law Centre is preparing to lead the charge on Kratom-related lawsuits — with clarity, compassion, and courtroom experience. Key Takeaways: The Webb Law Centre is focused on helping families impacted by Kratom overdoses, wrongful deaths, and addiction-related injuries. Rusty Webb brings more than 30 years of trial experience and is known for taking on powerful corporations in precedent-setting cases. The firm is utilizing cutting-edge medical research and collaborating with addiction specialists to build strong causation arguments. Their strategy is rooted in mass tort principles but individualized for each case. Understanding the Kratom CrisisKratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is a plant-derived substance that has surged in popularity over the past five years, often marketed as a "natural alternative" to opioids, alcohol, and energy drinks. But beneath the surface lies a deeply concerning reality: Kratom-related deaths are rising, and addiction experts warn that its impact on the brain can mimic or even exceed that of traditional opioids. "Kratom isn’t just an herbal supplement. It’s an unregulated, chemically active substance being sold over the counter to teenagers and vulnerable consumers," says Rusty Webb. "We’re seeing clients who had no idea what they were ingesting until it was too late.” The Legal Strategy: Targeting Accountability Across the Supply Chain Unlike traditional personal injury cases, kratom litigation presents complex challenges: unregulated imports, evolving science, and limited legal precedent. Webb’s strategy includes: Tracing the supply chain – identifying importers, distributors, and retail chains responsible for putting unsafe products on the market. Using toxicology and pharmacology research – demonstrating that kratom can cause dependency, cardiac events, psychosis, and fatal overdoses. Wrongful death actions – bringing justice to families who have lost loved ones after consuming products marketed as safe or herbal. State-specific claims – adapting arguments to meet West Virginia statutes while tracking federal regulatory developments. "Our goal is to bring clarity to the courtroom. These aren’t abstract policy debates. These are real families burying real children," Webb emphasizes. Partnering with Experts, Advocates, and FamiliesThe Webb Law Centre has begun building a coalition of: Addiction psychiatrists and emergency medicine physicians – to testify on the physiological effects of kratom. Grieving parents and impacted users – to humanize the issue and combat industry spin. Policy analysts and watchdogs – to track the FDA's changing stance and use it to bolster liability claims. Why This Matters NowWebb believes the window of opportunity is now.  "The FDA is signaling movement. States are waking up. And yet these products are still sitting by gas station counters with zero warning labels.” In his view, this is the new opioid frontier — and lawyers must act decisively.