What is the Webb Law Centre’s Approach to Kratom Litigation?

August 8, 2025

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.

FAQ

  • What types of injuries are tied to kratom use?

    Reported injuries include seizures, liver failure, addiction, psychosis, and sudden cardiac arrest. The firm is especially focused on wrongful death claims and life-altering neurological damage.

  • Who can file a lawsuit?

    Individuals or family members who experienced significant harm or death tied to kratom ingestion — particularly when sold without warnings or marketed deceptively.

  • What is the timeframe for pursuing legal action?

    Each state has a statute of limitations, so it’s important to consult an attorney as soon as

    possible. In West Virginia, the typical statute for personal injury or wrongful death is two years from the date of harm.

  • How does the Webb Law Centre differ from national firms?

    "We’re trial lawyers, not case brokers. We don’t just collect clients — we prepare cases for real courtroom action," says Webb.

Final Word

The Webb Law Centre is positioning itself not just as a participant in the kratom litigation wave— but as a leader.


"This isn’t about demonizing all alternative medicines," Webb says. "It’s about putting the truth on record and protecting families. If we don’t act now, who will?”


To learn more or schedule a confidential case evaluation, visit: www.LawWebb.com.

Person with pills and bottle on table; potential overdose, pills scattered, hand reaching.
September 18, 2025
Prescription Drug Injury Claims in West Virginia: What Victims Need to Know
Two people in suits at a desk, possibly a lawyer's office, with a laptop, coffee, and gavel.
September 17, 2025
Charleston, WV – September 17, 2025 — The Webb Law Centre, PLLC, led by Charles R. “Rusty” Webb, has been recognized as one of only seven law firms nationwide identified by Google as handling Kratom-related cases. This distinction highlights the firm’s leadership in an emerging area of litigation that parallels early opioid lawsuits. The Webb Law Centre has launched a national initiative focused exclusively on representing victims and families who have suffered serious injury or death linked to Kratom products. All Kratom death and injury cases are handled on a no-risk contingency-fee basis — clients pay nothing unless there is a recovery. “Our mission is to give a voice to victims and their loved ones who have been harmed by Kratom,” said Charles R. “Rusty” Webb. “We are committed to pursuing accountability and justice in these cases.” For more information or to schedule a consultation, contact: The Webb Law Centre, PLLC 716 Lee Street East Charleston, WV 25301 Phone: (304) 344-9322 Fax: (304) 344-1157 Email: rusty@rustywebb.com
Girl on sofa looks at phone. Boy peers over her shoulder, surprised. White background.
September 17, 2025
Charleston, West Virginia — September 6, 2025 — The Webb Law Centre, PLLC, led by attorney Charles R. “Rusty” Webb, is investigating and filing lawsuits against Roblox Corporation and Discord Inc. for their alleged failure to protect minors from sexual exploitation and online predators. The actions follow a series of lawsuits filed nationwide, including a recent 124-page complaint in the Western District of Michigan alleging that Roblox and Discord enabled predators to groom and exploit an 11-year-old girl. According to the complaint, the platforms’ defective safety design and lack of protections made children “easy prey for pedophiles,” while the companies prioritized user growth and profits over basic child safety. “These cases are not isolated tragedies — they represent a systemic failure by Roblox and Discord to implement even the most basic safeguards to protect vulnerable children,” said Rusty Webb , founding attorney of The Webb Law Centre. “Our firm is committed to holding these companies accountable for profiting from unsafe platforms while exposing children to predators.” The lawsuits highlight allegations that: Roblox allows adults to initiate private conversations with children and use in-game currency (“Robux”) to exploit them. Discord enables predators to escalate abuse by soliciting explicit photos and videos from minors, constituting child sexual abuse material. Both companies have known solutions and technologies available but have failed to adopt them, leaving children exposed to significant risks. National Scope of Litigation Roblox and Discord already face multiple lawsuits across the country, including: A California federal case filed in April 2025 by a Florida child alleging exploitation on both platforms. A state lawsuit in Louisiana filed in August 2025 alleging Roblox facilitates child sexual abuse material. Additional complaints in California and Michigan detailing similar patterns of grooming, exploitation, and data misuse involving minors. Call for Families to Come Forward The Webb Law Centre, PLLC is actively investigating additional cases involving Roblox, Discord, and other online platforms where minors have been harmed. Families who believe their children may have been exploited online are encouraged to contact the firm for a confidential case evaluation . Attorney Rusty Webb represents clients on a contingency fee basis — meaning if we don’t win, you don’t pay. There is no financial risk to families seeking justice. Contact: The Webb Law Centre, PLLC 716 Lee Street East, Suite 204 Charleston, WV 25301 📞 (304) 344-9322 📧 rusty@rustywebb.com 🌐 www.rustywebb.com
Car accident scene with damaged black car in front of a police car.
August 21, 2025
Injured in a Car Crash? What Charleston, WV Drivers Need to Know About Getting Compensation
Laptop, notebook with pens, papers, and coffee cup on a green table outdoors.
August 14, 2025
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Charles “Rusty” Webb, founder of The Webb Law Centre, announced today that his firm is expanding its nationwide review of kratom-related injury and wrongful death cases following an NBC Nightly News report on a beverage containing kratom and kava root. The August 2025 NBC segment highlighted growing social media warnings about the herbal supplement “Feel Free,” which contains kava root — touted for its relaxing effects — and kratom, a plant native to Southeast Asia known for its stimulant and opioid-like effects. “Kratom is still being marketed in ways that obscure its risks,” Webb said. “The NBC investigation underscores what the FDA’s been warning about — there are serious safety concerns without proper education, and people need to understand their legal options if they’ve been harmed.” The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued multiple warnings about kratom’s potential to cause addiction, liver damage, and death. Webb’s firm is currently reviewing cases involving: Fatal overdoses linked to kratom use Severe addiction requiring medical treatment Organ failure or other life-threatening complications Health care professionals or whistleblowers with relevant information With more than 30 years of legal experience in high-stakes toxic tort and product liability claims, Webb was one of the first attorneys to formally launch a coordinated litigation strategy targeting kratom manufacturers and distributors earlier this year. “The parallels to early opioid litigation are striking,” Webb said. “These cases can protect consumers and prevent another public health crisis.” About Rusty Webb Rusty Webb is the founder of The Webb Law Centre in Charleston, West Virginia. He has served in the West Virginia House of Delegates and has represented individuals and communities in precedent-setting complex tort, environmental, and public interest litigation. Media Contact:  Webb Law Centre PLLC  714 Venture Drive Charleston, WV 25309 www.webblawcentre.com
Wooden gavel resting on a block with blurred books in the background.
August 13, 2025
Charles R. “Rusty” Webb, founder of The Webb Law Centre, PLLC, has been nominated to Attorney and Practice Magazine’s 2025 “Top 10 Personal Injury Law Attorney — Raising the Bar” directory for West Virginia.
Gavel, Lady Justice statue, and books on a desk in a sunlit office, symbolizing law and justice.
August 13, 2025
Charles R. “Rusty” Webb, founder of The Webb Law Centre, PLLC, has been nominated to The American Association of Attorneys Advocates™ (AAAA) 2025 Dedication to Outstanding Advocacy Top 10 Personal Injury Law Attorney directory for West Virginia.
Statue of Lady Justice holding scales and sword against a dark background.
August 13, 2025
Charles R. “Rusty” Webb, founder of The Webb Law Centre, PLLC, has been selected for Membership in Lawyers of Distinction for 2025, recognizing professional achievement and peer recognition in the practice of law.
Statue of Lady Justice and gavel on a desk, next to books and a laptop.
August 13, 2025
Charles R. “Rusty” Webb, founder of The Webb Law Centre, PLLC, has been selected to join the nation’s top trial lawyers as a member of the Distinguished Justice Advocates (DJA) Charter—an honor extended to fewer than 1% of attorneys nationwide.
Statue of Lady Justice holding scales and sword against a dark background.
August 13, 2025
Charleston, West Virginia Attorney Best of 2025 by Business Rate