Energy Drink Lawsuit | Latest Updates

Energy Drink Lawsuit Overview

Energy drink lawsuits center on allegations that manufacturers failed to properly warn consumers about serious health risks. Studies have linked these products to severe medical conditions including kidney failure, heart attacks, stroke, and even death. 

In 2007 alone, there were 5,448 caffeine overdoses reported in the U.S., with nearly half occurring in children under 19. The FDA and medical researchers have raised significant concerns about the safety of these products.

Latest Energy Drink Lawsuit Updates

• August 4, 2025 – Doctors in Australia are sounding the alarm over rising **Vitamin B6 toxicity** cases linked to extended consumption of energy drinks and multiple supplements—especially since many products contain **far higher than the recommended 1.3–1.7 mg daily dose**, with some energy drinks providing up to **10 mg per can** ([10]). Pathology labs have identified **over 2,700 probable cases** of neuropathy or nerve damage so far in 2025, including individuals suffering symptoms like numbness, burning pain, and loss of coordination, with the condition sometimes becoming irreversible even after stopping supplementation. Health experts are urging regulators to tighten labeling and dosage limits, warning that people often combine beverages and pills containing B6 unknowingly—exceeding safe intake limits and facing serious long-term health consequences.
• August 2016 – A case report published in the Journal of Addiction Medicine stated that the high levels of caffeine in energy drinks like Red Bull may lead to severe heart problems [1].
• Summer 2015 – The parties involved in a Monster Energy Drink lawsuit that went to trial reached an undisclosed settlement. The lawsuit involved 19-year-old Alex Morris, who died from cardiac arrest, kidney failure, and other health problems in July 2012 after regularly consuming Monster products [2]. 
• August 2014 – Heather Felts filed a lawsuit against Monster Beverage Corporation alleging the company’s energy drinks contributed to the wrongful death of her husband, Shane Felts, on June 25, 2012 [3][4].
• January 2012 – In a JAMA editorial, researchers claimed energy beverages are “just as great a threat to individual and public health and safety” as premixed alcoholic drinks recently deemed unsafe by the FDA [5].
• Februay 2011 – A study published in the medical journal Pediatrics found that energy drinks have little to no known therapeutic benefit and that many ingredients are unregulated and/or understudied [6].

Energy Drink Reports and Statistics

According to medical research:

• Nearly half of the 5,448 caffeine overdoses reported in the U.S. in 2007 occurred in children under age 19 [7].
• An estimated 30-50% of adolescents and young adults consume energy drinks.
• U.S. energy drink sales jumped nearly 30% from 2013 to 2018, reaching $13.5 billion [8].
• Energy drink sales have more than doubled in recent years, with 35% of men ages 18-24 drinking them regularly.

Popular energy drinks include Rockstar, Redbull, 5-Hour Energy, Monster Energy, AMP Energy, NOS Energy, Redline Energy, BMX, 180, Hansen’s Energy, Adrenaline Rush, Amazon Energy Drinks, AMP, and Extreme Energy.

Related Article: Is Epilepsy Considered a Disability?

Energy Drink Injuries & Side Effects

Energy drinks have been reportedly connected to numerous serious health complications, particularly in younger consumers.

• Cardiovascular Issues: Heart failure, atrial fibrillation, rapid heart rate (tachycardia), heart attack
• Renal Problems: Kidney failure
• Neurological Effects: Seizures, dizziness, nervousness, jitters
• Digestive Issues: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
• Other Reactions: Allergic reactions including rash, hives, itching, difficulty breathing, chest tightness, swelling of the mouth/face/lips/tongue
• Withdrawal Symptoms: Severe fatigue, headaches, irritability

Excessive Sports and Energy Drink Consumption Harmful for Dentin Health

A new study examined the effects of frequent consumption of sports and energy drinks on dentin tissue, finding that their high acidity levels can significantly erode dentin [9].

Researchers noted that repeated exposure leads to progressive weakening of this inner tooth layer—rendering teeth more prone to sensitivity, cavities, and structural damage.

The findings suggest that individuals, particularly athletes and teens who consume these beverages regularly, should limit intake or protect their teeth through rinsing, saliva stimulation, or delayed brushing.

Do You Qualify for an Energy Drink Lawsuit?

You may qualify for an energy drink lawsuit if:

• You consumed energy drinks like Monster, Red Bull, 5-Hour Energy, or similar products.
• You experienced serious side effects including heart problems, kidney failure, or stroke.
• Your injuries required medical treatment or hospitalization.
• You can provide medical documentation linking your injuries to energy drink consumption.

Evidence Required for an Energy Drink Lawsuit

• Medical records documenting your injuries and treatment
• Proof of energy drink consumption
• Doctor’s statement connecting your health issues to energy drink consumption
• Timeline of consumption and onset of symptoms

Damages You Can Recover

• Medical expenses for treatment of injuries
• Lost wages due to inability to work
• Pain and suffering
• Punitive damages against manufacturers
• Compensation for permanent disability or wrongful death

Statute of Limitations for Energy Drink Lawsuits

Time limits for filing energy drink lawsuits vary by state. It’s essential to consult with an attorney as soon as possible after experiencing health complications to ensure your claim is filed within the applicable statute of limitations.

FAQs

1. What health risks are associated with energy drinks?

Energy drinks have been linked to serious health risks including kidney failure, heart attack, stroke, seizures, and in some cases, death. Medical studies have found these drinks often contain excessive amounts of caffeine and other poorly regulated ingredients.

2. Who is most at risk for energy drink side effects?

The risk for serious side effects is greatly increased in children, adolescents, and young adults with pre-existing health conditions such as epilepsy, seizures, diabetes, cardiac abnormalities, and mood/behavioral disorders. Users of certain prescription medications are also at higher risk.

3. What is in energy drinks that makes them potentially dangerous?

Most energy drinks contain high levels of caffeine, often combined with other stimulants like taurine and guarana. A study published in Pediatrics found many ingredients in energy drinks are unregulated and understudied, raising concerns about potential toxicity when consumed in large amounts.

4. How much caffeine is in a typical energy drink?

The caffeine content varies by brand. For example, the lawsuit noted that a person who consumed two Monster energy drinks (16 oz cans) would consume approximately 320 milligrams of caffeine in a short period.

5. Have there been successful lawsuits against energy drink companies?

Yes. The article mentions that Monster Beverage Corp. has settled previous class action lawsuits during trial in San Francisco, although the company has denied any wrongdoing or false advertising in all cases.

6. What compensation might be available in energy drink lawsuits?

Victims may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and in cases of death, wrongful death damages. Some lawsuits also seek punitive damages against manufacturers.

7. How do I know if my health problems are related to energy drink consumption?

Medical documentation is essential to establish a link between energy drink consumption and health problems. Doctors can help determine if your symptoms and timing of consumption suggest a causal relationship.

Why Your Energy Drink Habit Could Lead to a Massive Medical Bill

Chugging that daily can of your favorite energy drink might seem harmless, but experts warn it could have serious financial and health consequences. In some cases, the medical fallout from excessive consumption has led to hospital bills exceeding $100,000.

Energy drinks are loaded with stimulants—typically high doses of caffeine, sugar, and herbal additives—that can overwork your heart, spike your blood pressure, and wreak havoc on your kidneys and liver.

According to health professionals, the toxic overload from regular use may result in conditions like cardiac arrest, seizures, or even organ failure.

In one shocking case, a young man was hospitalized in the ICU with severe liver damage after drinking multiple energy beverages per day. Doctors linked the incident directly to the supplement-laden drinks, and his family was hit with a six-figure medical bill after weeks of care.

While energy drink manufacturers market these beverages as performance boosters or productivity aids, health authorities have increasingly flagged them as a danger zone—especially for teens and young adults. The FDA has received dozens of reports of hospitalizations linked to these products in recent years.

Experts recommend limiting intake or avoiding energy drinks altogether, particularly if you have underlying heart conditions, take certain medications, or consume other sources of caffeine.

Staying hydrated, getting adequate sleep, and maintaining a balanced diet are safer ways to stay energized without risking your health or finances.

Before you reach for your next energy drink, ask yourself: Is the jolt really worth a potential trip to the ER—and a five- or six-figure bill to go with it?

Taurine, a familiar ingredient in energy drinks and often praised for its health benefits, is now under the microscope for a very different reason. A new study published in the journal Nature suggests this amino acid may actually help certain types of blood cancer cells grow—raising eyebrows among researchers and consumers alike.

For context, taurine is naturally made by the body and found in foods like meat and fish. It’s known for supporting a range of bodily functions including fluid regulation, energy metabolism, and digestion. The Mayo Clinic notes its role in balancing electrolytes and producing bile salts, among other things.

But here’s the twist: scientists have found that taurine acts like fuel for myeloid leukemia cells, which are tied to a category of blood cancers. Specifically, it boosts glycolysis, the process cells use to convert glucose into energy. In short, taurine may give leukemia cells the power they need to grow and multiply.

Researchers from the Wilmot Cancer Institute at the University of Rochester took this a step further. By blocking taurine’s ability to enter leukemia cells, they managed to slow or even stop the cancer’s growth in both lab mice and human cell samples.

So, what does this mean for those who regularly sip energy drinks or take taurine supplements? According to the research team, it’s something worth thinking about—especially for individuals diagnosed with leukemia or other blood cancers.

“Given taurine’s widespread use in energy drinks and as a supplement for chemotherapy patients, our findings suggest it’s important to re-evaluate its safety in certain medical contexts,” the researchers explained.

Jeevisha Bajaj, Ph.D., one of the lead investigators, emphasized the need for future studies to dig deeper. Specifically, researchers want to monitor taurine levels in leukemia patients and explore ways to block its access to cancer cells without affecting healthy ones.

To be clear, the study doesn’t say taurine causes leukemia or that energy drinks are inherently dangerous. But it does raise new questions about the role taurine plays in the development of blood cancers—and whether its presence in common beverages could complicate things for certain individuals.

Get a Free Energy Drink Lawsuit Evaluation With Our Lawyers

Time is limited to pursue legal action for injuries related to energy drink consumption. Statutes of limitations restrict how long you have to file your claim after sustaining injuries.

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References

1. https://journals.lww.com/journaladdictionmedicine/abstract/2016/08000/energy_drink_consumption_and_cardiac.11.aspx
2. https://www.globenewswire.com/en/news-release/2015/03/27/719761/11759/en/Energy-Drink-Wrongful-Death-Suit-Set-to-go-to-Trial.html
3. https://dockets.justia.com/docket/missouri/mowdce/4:2014cv00758/117148
4. https://www.gillandchamas.com/monster-energy-drink-lawsuit-filed-after-consumers-death/
5. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3038341/
6. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3065144/
7. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6166148/
8. https://www.bevindustry.com/articles/93233-state-of-the-beverage-industry-energy-drinks-mixes-maintain-steady-growth#:~:text=Total%20energy%20drink%20and%20energy,shot%20sales%20have%20largely%20stagnated.%E2%80%9D
9. https://medicaldialogues.in/amp/dentistry/news/excessive-sports-and-energy-drink-consumption-harmful-for-dentin-health-suggests-study-150057
10. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-04/b6-toxicity-doctors-fears-energy-drinks-red-bull-monster/105600912