Energy drinks are supposed to deliver a caffeine boost, not the potential for a wrongful death lawsuit. Yet that’s exactly what can happen, according to the many consumers who have taken legal action against the makers of these beverages. This is a scary thought, especially considering the increasing popularity of energy drink consumption among teens and children. Take a look at what you need to know if you are concerned about your family’s risk.
The Problem with Energy Drinks
Many types of beverages, including soft drinks, coffee and tea, contain caffeine. Energy drinks, however, have a much higher amount of caffeine than these other drinks. Some popular brands contain up to 100 mg of caffeine per ounce, the same amount found in an 8-ounce cup of coffee or in three cans of cola. Excessive caffeine intake has been linked to serious health issues, including seizures, erratic heart rhythms, elevated blood pressure, dehydration and heart attacks, which can be fatal.
Everyone who regularly consumes highly caffeinated drinks is at risk, but the greatest concern is for teens and children. The risks of drinking these beverages are not well publicized, so parents unknowingly allow their children to indulge. Health problems associated with high caffeine intake are more severe in the young, which has led to the growing number of wrongful death claims against energy drink manufacturers.
Energy Drinks under Investigation
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration currently considers most energy drinks to be dietary supplements, rather than food. The ingredients in dietary supplements are not as strictly regulated as those in food products, which means that these beverages often have unlisted ingredients or undisclosed amounts of caffeine. Several energy drink products are now under FDA investigation, prompted by the number of adverse health effects and deaths that have been reported as a result of their consumption. With the launch of these investigations, courts across the country are hearing wrongful death claims against the makers of some of these drinks.
Energy Drink Wrongful Death Lawsuits
Billions of energy drinks are consumed each year in the United States, yet most consumers are unaware of the health issues they can cause. Regular consumption of these beverages is quite common, and the number of people adversely affected by drinking them is growing. Lawsuits over these medical issues, including wrongful death claims, are pointing the finger at energy drink manufacturers. As a result of these lawsuits, people are calling for a cap on the caffeine content allowed in these drinks, stricter ingredient regulations and warning labels on the products.
Consumers who have suffered health issues or even death from the excessive caffeine in energy drinks deserve compensation from the companies involved in their production. If you believe you or a loved one may have been harmed by consuming energy drinks, contact the experienced attorneys at Montgomery Dowdle Law in Boise, Idaho, for a complimentary consultation. They can help you through the process of understanding how to file a personal injury or wrongful death claim.