Energy Drink Lawsuit | Latest Updates

Alani Nu energy drinks face a wrongful death suit and a Texas state investigation. A Weslaco, Texas family alleges Alani Nu drinks caused the fatal enlarged heart of a 17-year-old who died in October 2025.

The case is a suit against distributor Glazer’s Beer and Beverage in Hidalgo County, Texas. An appeals court paused it on July 27, 2026. It was filed on April 8, 2026. No MDL has been formed.

On June 4, 2026, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton also began looking into Alani Nu’s owner, Celsius Holdings, under a state consumer protection law.

Latest Energy Drink Lawsuit Updates

July 27, 2026: 13th Court of Appeals Pauses the Rodriguez Suit

The 13th Court of Appeals paused all trial court proceedings, including discovery, in the Texas case over Alani Nu energy drinks. The pause lasts while the court considers a petition from distributor Glazer’s Beer and Beverage [1].

KRGV reported the order and said the court asked for responses within 10 days. The pause remains until the court issues a further order or resolves the petition.

July 23, 2026: Judge Lets the Rodriguez Suit Continue

A Hidalgo County judge let the Rodriguez suit continue while Glazer’s appeals the denial of its motion to dismiss [2]. The motion was argued on June 30, 2026, before Judge Noe Gonzalez of the 370th District Court.

KRGV reported the ruling. Family attorney Benny Agosto said an appeal could take between 60 and 90 days. The suit continues in the meantime.

July 16, 2026: England Confirms Under-16 Energy Drink Ban

The British government said it will ban sales of high-caffeine energy drinks to under-16s in England from April 2027. The ban needs parliamentary approval [3].

Reuters reported the plan on July 16, 2026. The ban would cover drinks with more than 150 milligrams of caffeine per litre.

June 4, 2026: Texas Attorney General Investigates Celsius

The Texas Attorney General opened an investigation into Celsius Holdings, which owns Alani Nu, under the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act [4]. It will examine whether Celsius and Alani mislead consumers about teen and child safety.

The release says each 12-ounce can contains 200 mg of caffeine. It says the packaging typically lists only the caffeine amount, without warnings about age or heart-health risks. This is an investigation and makes no finding.

April 8, 2026: Rodriguez Family Files Wrongful Death Suit

The family of 17-year-old Larissa Nicole Rodriguez filed a wrongful death lawsuit in Hidalgo County District Court. It names Glazer’s Beer and Beverage and Glazer’s Beer and Beverage of Texas and seeks more than $1 million [5].

NBC News reported that the suit alleges Alani Nu drinks had inadequate warnings about serious cardiac risks. Celsius is not a defendant.

August 4, 2025: Doctors Raise Vitamin B6 Concern

Doctors in Australia raised concern that vitamin B6 in energy drinks such as Red Bull and Monster could add to B6 toxicity cases [6]. A 250ml can of Red Bull contains 5 milligrams of vitamin B6.

George Institute food policy researcher Alexandra Jones said there is “no good reason why energy drinks need to have six times the recommended daily intake of B6.”

July 9, 2025: Panera Settles Remaining Charged Lemonade Suits

Panera Bread settled its three remaining Charged Lemonade lawsuits, which court records listed as dismissed with prejudice [7]. NBC News reported that settlement terms were not disclosed and that Panera has denied wrongdoing in court documents.

Panera removed the drink from stores nationwide in May 2024. A 30-fluid-ounce size without ice contained 390 milligrams of caffeine. Panera settled a fourth suit, brought by the family of Sarah Katz, in October 2024.

January 26, 2011: JAMA Commentary Warns of Energy Drink Risk

University of Maryland and Wake Forest researchers Amelia Arria and Mary Claire O’Brien wrote a JAMA commentary. It says highly caffeinated energy drinks, even without alcohol, may pose a significant threat to individuals and public health [8].

In the commentary, they recommend that health providers educate patients and that regulators require caffeine content and appropriate warnings on labels.

What Are Energy Drinks?

According to a 2011 review, energy drinks are drinks that contain caffeine, taurine, vitamins, herbal supplements, and sugar or sweeteners [9]. They are marketed to improve energy, stamina, athletic performance, and concentration.

The FDA recommends a daily maximum of 400 mg of caffeine for healthy adults, NBC News reported. It listed 160 mg in a 17-ounce Monster and 80 mg in an 8.4-ounce Red Bull.

Who May Be Affected?

People who regularly drink high-caffeine energy drinks match the circumstances in the current cases. Teens and young adults are the focus.

The 2011 review reports serious adverse effects, especially in young people with seizures, diabetes, cardiac abnormalities, or mood and behavioral disorders. It also names people who take certain medications.

In the Rodriguez case, Glazer’s says it only distributed the drinks and did not design, make or label them. Celsius says the can discloses its caffeine and states the product is not recommended for children.

Both sides agreed in court that Larissa Rodriguez died after drinking the drinks. The question is who is responsible. No court has found liability or a defect. Whether any person qualifies depends on an individual legal review.

Reported Injuries or Damages

The Rodriguez suit alleges an enlarged heart caused by large amounts of caffeine from Alani Nu drinks. Her family’s attorney says the Hidalgo County medical examiner found “an enlarged heart due to stress and large amounts of caffeine.”

The Panera Charged Lemonade suits alleged two deaths and two permanent cardiac injuries. None of these claims is a court finding.

A case report in the Journal of Addiction Medicine described a 28-year-old previously healthy man. He drank 2 Monster energy drinks and 2 to 3 beers a day and had atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response [10].

A review of caffeinated energy drinks and adolescents says caffeine intoxication may result in tachycardia, vomiting, cardiac arrhythmias, seizures, and even death [11].

The 2011 review found that 30% to 50% of adolescents and young adults consume energy drinks. Of the 5448 US caffeine overdoses reported in 2007, 46% occurred in people younger than 19.

Evidence to Preserve

Evidence can help show what was consumed, when it was bought and what harm followed. Keep the original cans and records safe, including:

• The cans and any receipts, order confirmations or card statements showing where and when the drinks were bought
• Photographs or video of the drinks being consumed and of the label, with the caffeine amount and any warning text
• Medical, emergency room, hospital and autopsy or coroner records
• A log or social media posts showing how many energy drinks were consumed and when
• Messages with the seller, brand or insurer about the drinks or the harm

Filing Deadlines

Deadlines for an injury or wrongful death claim are set by state law. They vary with where the person lives and when the injury, illness or death and its diagnosis happened.

A claim can end if the filing window closes first, however strong the facts are. Anyone weighing legal action for energy drink harm should talk to a lawyer promptly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Has Anyone Sued over Energy Drink Deaths?

Yes, a family has sued over an energy drink death. The distributor’s attorney said a defendant that did not make the product can be liable only if it knew of a defect. The family’s lawyers say the warning gives no maximum daily limit.

Are Energy Drinks Going to Get Banned?

Energy drinks are going to be banned for under-16s in England only if Parliament approves the plan. The ban would apply in shops, vending machines and online. Ministers said around 100,000 children in England drink such drinks every day.

What Are the Negative Effects of Energy Drinks?

The negative effects of energy drinks in a review of adolescents include anxiety, agitation, migraines, stomach upset and insomnia. The review says consumption has been associated with arrhythmias and other cardiovascular complications, and in rare cases death.

What Organ Is Most Affected by Energy Drinks?

The organs most affected by energy drinks are in the cardiovascular and neurological systems, according to the same review. It says energy drinks could harm health, particularly among people with cardiovascular disease.

References

1. https://www.krgv.com/news/appeals-court-orders-pause-on-wrongful-death-lawsuit-of-weslaco-cheerleader
2. https://www.krgv.com/news/judge-allows-weslaco-cheerleader-s-wrongful-death-lawsuit-to-move-forward
3. https://www.thestar.com.my/news/world/2026/07/17/england-to-ban-sale-of-high-caffeine-energy-drinks-to-under-16s-from-next-year
4. https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/news/releases/attorney-general-ken-paxton-announces-investigation-celsius-energy-drink-company-protect-texas
5. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/texas-teens-death-linked-caffeine-alani-nu-energy-drink-family-alleges-rcna267441
6. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-04/b6-toxicity-doctors-fears-energy-drinks-red-bull-monster/105600912
7. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/panera-settles-remaining-lawsuits-highly-caffeinated-charged-lemonade-rcna217767
8. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/01/110126144536.htm
9. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3065144/
10. https://journals.lww.com/journaladdictionmedicine/abstract/2016/08000/energy_drink_consumption_and_cardiac.11.aspx
11. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6166148/