Energy Drink Injuries

Can I File an Energy Drink Lawsuit?

NC Lawyers Explain Serious Energy Drink Side Effects

The sales of energy drinks like Monster and Red Bull continue to rise, in part because marketing campaigns advertise the drinks as a safe means of increasing alertness and productivity. However, several reports and studies have linked the high levels of caffeine and other ingredients in these beverages to serious health conditions. These dangerous energy drink side effects may include heart and liver failure, or even wrongful death due to stroke or heart attack. Children, in particular, are vulnerable to caffeine poisoning and other conditions. Still, despite these risks, the manufacturers often do not include warning labels and may mislead consumers through advertising. Many consumers of the energy drinks have never had an issue after drinking them.

If you or a loved one suffered complications from energy drink consumption, then you may be able to hold these companies accountable for your damages. The personal injury lawyers at Riddle & Brantley can advise you of your legal options of compensation through a product liability lawsuit. Compensation benefits may include: medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages and funeral expenses.

What are Common Types of Energy Drinks?

There are dozens of brands of energy drinks currently on the market. For most of them, advertising campaigns focus on benefits like increased alertness and productivity. However, few if any include warnings about the high levels of sugar and caffeine that provide the burst of energy. Some of the most common brands and types of energy drinks include:

• Red Bull
• Monster Energy
• 5-Hour Energy
• Rockstar Energy
• Amp
• NOS
• Full Throttle
• Redline
• Stacker 2
• Worx
• Lucozade
• Burn
• Relentless

Most of these drinks are classified as “dietary supplements,” which means the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not hold them to the same safety standards as food products. Thus, the labels of these beverages may not include the true amount of caffeine they contain.

What are Possible Energy Drink Side Effects?

The biggest danger of popular energy drinks is the high amount of caffeine they contain. Some 12 and 16 oz. cans may contain over 240 milligrams of caffeine, while some two-ounce energy shots may include over 420 mg. However, the FDA recommends that adults consume no more than 225 mg of caffeine per day.

Due to this and other ingredients, common types of energy drink side effects may include:

• Caffeine intoxication
• Cardiac arrest
• Cardiac arrhythmia
• Cardiovascular disease
• Dehydration
• Increased blood pressure
• Increased heart rate
• Insomnia
• Nervousness
• Restlessness
• Seizures
• Tremors
• Unstable heart rhythms
• Complications during pregnancy, including late miscarriages and stillbirths
• Wrongful death

Several studies have shown the dangers of regular and excessive caffeine consumption. For example, study published by the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) indicates that energy drink consumption causes increased blood pressure and heart rate, which may cause cardiovascular complications. Another study published in the International Journal of Cardiology indicated that children and adolescents may be more likely to experience adverse side effects.

If you are experiencing any unusual side effects following the consumption of an energy drink, then seek medical attention immediately. Prompt care can assure these side effects will not lead to further injuries. Additionally, medical documentation of serious energy drink side effects can be powerful evidence in a product liability claim.

Can I File a Product Liability Lawsuit for Energy Drinks?

The dangers of energy drinks and high levels of caffeine are emerging, but the vast majority of consumers remain in the dark. Consequently, several companies have faced product liability lawsuits for failure to warn consumers of known dangers. Significant cases and events related to the dangers of energy drinks include:

• In 2011, the NCAA prohibited the distribution of energy drinks to student athletes.
• In 2011, the US Drug Abuse Warning Network reported a tenfold spike in emergency room visits related to energy drinks. Of these cases, 70 percent involved teenagers between 12 and 17.
• In October 2012, the FDA began investigations on five deaths and one nonfatal heart attack linked to Monster Energy.
• In November 16, 2012, the FDA reported 40 illnesses and five deaths linked to Monster Energy. Two lasting disabilities linked to Rockstar Energy, and 92 illnesses and 13 deaths linked to 5-Hour Energy shots were also reported.
• In February 2012, a study published by Pediatrics reported children and teens are at a heightened risk for energy drink side effects. These include caffeine toxicity or poisoning, heart palpitations, dehydration, high blood pressure, cardiac arrest and death.
• In May 2013, The City of San Francisco filed a lawsuit against Monster Energy claiming they marketed to children as young as six. However, this violates the California Labor Law.
• In 2013, three class action lawsuits against the makers of 5-Hour Energy were consolidated into multidistrict litigation in California.
• In 2014, Red Bull settled a class action lawsuit for false advertising in its marketing campaigns. The company paid $13 million to consumers.
• In May 2017, a South Carolina teen died due to caffeine-induced cardiac event, according to the coroner. He had consumed three caffeinated drinks, including an energy drink.

Energy Drink Injury? Contact Our North Carolina Personal Injury Lawyers Today

At Riddle & Brantley, our attorneys have experience with product liability claims involving false advertising and labeling defects. We can investigate your energy drink injury or loved one’s wrongful death, and help you file a claim. We understand the struggles associated with injuries, thus we will work relentlessly for our clients to achieve fair benefits. Our attorneys are committed to seek justice for our clients and operate on a contingency fee basis, so we will not get paid unless our client does.

Located in Goldsboro, Jacksonville, Raleigh, and Kinston, we serve those in need throughout the state of North Carolina. To learn more or schedule your free no-obligation consultation, then call (800) 525-7111 or contact us online today. A member of our staff will gather information about your energy drink injury and then quickly connect you with one of our experienced attorneys.