A growing number of lawsuits are being filed against energy drink companies like Monster Beverage Corp. Aside from the questionable health benefits of energy drinks, caffeinated energy drinks can lead to serious injury or death. Claimants allege that energy drink ingredient labels are misleading. The drinks often include dangerous levels of concentrated caffeine, including caffeinated ingredients that are unfamiliar to consumers.
Energy Drink Manufacturer Negligence
Energy drink companies such as Monster Beverage Corp. have failed to warn consumers of the potential health risks associated with elevated caffeine levels. Research published in the online Canadian Journal of Cardiology suggested that the consumption of caffeine laden energy drinks can lead to heart related problems.
The Canadian study indicated that energy drinks containing concentrated caffeine are particularly dangerous for adolescents, even if they are otherwise healthy. These young consumers are vulnerable to atrial or ventricular arrhythmias, myocardial infarction or atrial fibrillation. It was noted that even though the ingredient labels were technically accurate, energy drinks often contain masked sources of caffeine that turn the drinks into caffeine powerhouses. Exotic ingredients such as ginseng, guarana and taurine can also cause unexpected physical reactions. The Brazilian plant guarana, for example, contains a caffeinated substance that is two times as strong as coffee.
Energy drink companies go out of their way to market their products to adolescent youth. Although the consumption of a single energy drink is considered safe, young consumers should not overindulge. Excessive consumption of energy drinks should be avoided prior to participating in sporting events or other physically demanding activities. Consumers with underlying heart issues should speak with a cardiologist prior to consuming energy drinks. It has also been noted that consuming an excessive number of energy drinks in combination with alcohol or drugs should be avoided altogether.
Energy Drink Roulette
The mother of 19 year old Alex Morris filed a wrongful death lawsuit in California Superior Court after her son suffered cardiac arrest and died. It was reported that Alex had consumed multiple cans of a Monster energy drink daily for nearly three years. The complaint alleged that Monster Energy Corp. failed to warn consumers of the risks associated with the consumption of their products. It is believed that up to 30 percent of all adolescent youth drink caffeinated energy drinks on a regular basis. It is also reported that more than half of all caffeine overdoses involve youth aged 19 or under.
Energy drink consumers may not realize that they are ingesting excessive amounts of caffeine. Even Parents may not be aware that energy drinks include unsafe amounts of caffeine because of the masked sources of caffeine listed on the ingredient label. Energy drinks have grown in popularity in recent years. Energy drink companies such as Monster Beverage Corp. portray their products as a safe and convenient way to access a sudden burst of energy. This marketing approach is especially appealing to physically active youth under the age of 19.
Personal Injury Lawsuits
Many families have found it necessary to seek financial damages because of the mounting evidence that energy drink companies have been negligent in the marketing of their products. A recent study conducted by Wayne State University and DMC Children’s Hospital of Michigan concluded that injury cases involving energy drink products is widespread. Researchers stated that the consumption of caffeinated energy drinks is potentially deadly.
Hospital emergency rooms have treated thousands of caffeine overdose victims linked to the consumption of energy drinks. The services of a personal injury attorney may be required to hold Monster Energy Corp. and other energy drink manufacturers accountable for the risk imposed by their products. When an otherwise healthy and active teenager collapses after consuming a seemingly harmless energy drink before participating in an athletic event, it’s time to evaluate the evidence and seek justice in a court of law.
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