In recent years, Monster Energy Drink has been linked to at least 5 deaths, as well as numerous reports of serious side effects including heart attack, stroke, and seizure.
Free Confidential Lawsuit Evaluation: If you or a loved one was injured by Monster Energy Drink, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a suit against the manufacturer and our lawyers can help.
Side Effects of Monster Energy Drinks
While it is true that anyone at any age can suffer a caffeine overdose after drinking too much Monster Energy Drink, this risk is particularly high for children. This is especially problematic considering that Monster Beverage Corporation has been accused of marketing its products to a younger audience, and an estimated 30% to 50% of underage consumers drink energy beverages like Monster. In 2007 alone, nearly 5,500 caffeine overdoses were reported in the U.S., nearly half of which were in individuals younger than 19.
A February 2012 study published in the journal Pediatrics [1] found that underage consumers who drink Monster and other similar beverages are at an increased risk for developing the following serious side effects:
- Caffeine toxicity/poisoning
- Dehydration
- Heart palpitations
- Cardiac arrest
- High blood pressure
- Death
The risk of developing these Monster Energy Drink side effects is even greater for individuals who have:
- Heart problems
- Mood or behavioral disorders
- Seizures
- Take certain medications
The study's authors concluded by stating: “The known and unknown pharmacology of agents included in such drinks, combined with reports of toxicity, raises concern for potentially serious adverse effects in association with energy drink use. In the short term, pediatricians need to be aware of the possible effects of energy drinks in vulnerable populations and screen for consumption to educate families.”
The researchers called for additional studies into how energy drinks affect at-risk populations, suggesting that sales and consumption of the beverages be curbed based on the results of the study.
Energy Drinks Linked to Kidney Disease Risk, Study Finds
January 8, 2019 - A new study from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health has identified yet another link between the consumption of sugar-laden energy drinks and an increased risk for kidney disease. The study involved a cohort of about 3,000 African American men and women with normal kidney function and included another study on risk factors for other diseases such as heart disease, hypertension, and stroke. The results indicated that one-third of the cohort that drank the most sugar-sweetened beverages were 61% more likely to develop chronic kidney disease (CKD) than the third who drank the least.
Monster Energy Drink Regulation & Warnings
Monster Energy Drinks are currently classified as ‘dietary supplements,’ a designation that allows them to avoid regulation by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA). The legal limit for caffeine in soda is currently 71 mg per 12 ounces, while some energy drinks contain more than 500 mg of the stimulant per 12 ounce serving. Over the past several years, the FDA has received multiple requests from politicians and public watchdog groups to enforce stricter regulations on the energy drink industry.
In 2011, an article published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) urged state and federal regulatory agencies to require more detailed warning labels on energy drinks, stating that the beverages are “just as great a threat to individual and public health and safety” as the premixed alcoholic energy drinks recently deemed unsafe by the FDA.
Soon after the article was published, a 14-year-old girl died of ‘cardiac arrhythmia due to caffeine toxicity after allegedly consuming two Monster energy drinks. In response to the tragedy, senator Dick Durbin publicly requested that the FDA conduct an investigation into the safety of energy drinks and that they enforce caffeine limits in these beverages. Senator Durbin joined with Senator Blumenthal in writing a letter to the FDA, in which the senators put pressure on the administration to assert its regulatory authority over caffeine levels in energy drinks.
South Carolina Parents Push for Energy Drink Ban After Son’s Death
A bill that would ban the sale of energy drinks to minors in South Carolina passed a subcommittee of lawmakers on Friday, sponsored by a couple whose son allegedly died after drinking too much caffeine. Davis Cripe, the 16-year-old who died, allegedly drank a coffee, soda, and energy drink in the hours leading to his death.
Energy Drink Side Effects Responsible for Death of 25-Year-Old, Suit Claims
Anton Omelin drank Red Bull, NOS, and Monster Energy before he collapsed and died on Oct. 30, 2014, according to a new lawsuit filed in Tacoma, Washington. The suit alleges that the defendants -- Red Bull, Monster, and the Hansen Beverage Co. -- failed to adequately warn consumers against the risk of alcohol use with energy drinks or during vigorous exercise.
Energy Drinks Could Poison Children: Study
Reports to poison control centers regarding energy drinks and kids under 6 years old are alarmingly high, according to a new study presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2014. Children who consume the beverages may suffer adverse reactions including tremors, seizures, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, and erratic heartbeats (arrhythmias).
Researchers Find Association Between TBI and Energy Drink Consumption in Teens
A new study [2] reports teenagers who suffered from traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) within the past year were seven times more likely to have consumed at least five energy drinks within the week prior to the injury. Researchers also found that teens who reported sustaining a TBI within the past year were at least twice as likely to have consumed energy drinks mixed with alcohol than teens who reported sustaining a TBI more than a year previously.
Monster Energy Drink Lawsuits
- Felts v. Monster Beverage Corporation et al. Case No. 4:2014cv00758
On the morning of Jun. 25, 2012, Shane Felts died after consuming Monster energy drinks. “About 2:00 or 2:30 [am], I heard a thump, he was on the floor in the bathroom,” said Heather Felts, Shane's wide. She and her 2 sons rushed him to the hospital, but it was too late.
“It’s just like the movies; a doctor kneels down in front of you and says ‘I’m sorry, we did everything we could but he’s gone,’” she said.
In Aug. 2014, Heather filed a lawsuit in Missouri Western District Court alleging that Monster energy drinks contributed to the wrongful death of her husband.
- Paula Morris v. Monster Beverage Corporation et al. Case No: RG13685028
Another Monster Energy Drink Lawsuit kicked off on Apr. 27, 2015. Alex Morris, 19, died from a cardiac arrest in July 2012 after allegedly consuming at least two 16 oz. cans of Monster Energy Drink in the 24 hours before his death, and at least two 16 oz cans per day during the three years preceding his death.
The cause of death was listed as cardiac arrhythmia and cardiomyopathy, with toxicology confirming that illegal drugs or alcohol played no part in Morris's death.
The lawsuit alleges Monster “failed to warn consumers of the true risks, scope, and severity of potential side effects of the Monster drinks that Alex Morris consumed such as increased risk of stroke, blood clots, heart attack, and cardiac arrhythmia.”
This is the second Monster Drink Lawsuit to go to trial. Monster Beverage Corp. settled a previous case during trial. In all cases, the defendant has denied any wrongdoing.
- Wendy Crossland and Richard Fournier v. Monster Beverage Corporation et al. Case No: RIC 1215551
14-year-old Anais Fournier was at home watching a movie when she went into cardiac arrest in December 2011. She was rushed to a local hospital and placed in an induced coma to reduce brain swelling. Six days later she was removed from life support.
The official cause of Anais’s death was listed as caffeine toxicity. She had consumed two 24-oz. Monster Energy drinks on the day she went into cardiac arrest, the last drink just hours before her death. The two beverages contained about 480 milligrams of caffeine, the equivalent of almost 14 cans of Coca-Cola.
Anais’s family filed a lawsuit in October 2012 against Monster Energy for failing to warn about the product's dangers. The case was entered in California Superior Court (Riverside County).
Energy Drinks Worse for your Heart than Caffeine Alone, Study Finds
A new study published Wednesday in the Journal of the American Heart Association (AHA) has linked the side effects of energy drinks to an increased risk for heart problems beyond those seen with caffeine alone. The researchers suspect that the “proprietary blend” of ingredients in commercial energy drinks may prolong caffeine’s activity in the body, prevent it from being excreted, or that these substances “may have activity of their own above and beyond caffeine.”
Related: Redline Energy Drink Litigation
Mother Wants Stricter Regulations Over Sale of Energy Drinks After Son's Death
A Florida mom who claims her 19-year-old son died after drinking just a half can of Monster Extra Strength is calling for tighter regulations over the sale and use of energy drinks by kids. Cheryl James is campaigning for the drinks to carry a warning for people who have heart problems, and also for there to be an age limit on purchasing the beverages, making it illegal for anyone under 21 to buy.
Father Claims Monster Energy Killed his Son
A 19-year-old man allegedly died from a heart attack after consuming more than 3 cans of Monster Energy Drink, according to a lawsuit filed by his father. Dustin Hood died in 2015 after suffering cardiac arrhythmia, or an irregular heartbeat. His father claims in the lawsuit that Monster Energy Drink killed the teenager due to caffeine overload.
Energy Drink Consumption Linked to Acute Hepatitis
According to a study published this week in BMJ Case Reports [3], niacin (vitamin B3) contained in energy drinks may increase the risk of acute hepatitis. A previously healthy 50-year-old man was admitted to the hospital with acute hepatitis after drinking 4 to 5 energy drinks per day. Researchers determined that he was consuming 160-200 mg of niacin daily or more than 1000% of the recommended daily allowance.
Just 1 Energy Drink Could Increase Cardiovascular Risks, Study Shows
Young adults who consumed one 16-ounce energy drink showed a rise in blood pressure and an increase in stress hormone responses within 30 minutes, which may raise cardiovascular risk, according to a study published today in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) [4]. The study’s findings were presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2015.
Do I Have a Monster Energy Drink Lawsuit?
The Product Liability & Defective Drug Litigation Group at our law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus on the representation of plaintiffs in Monster Energy Drink Lawsuits. We are handling individual litigation nationwide and currently investigating potential settlements in all 50 states.
Free Confidential Case Evaluation: Again, if you or a loved one has been injured by Monster energy drink, you should contact our law firm immediately by using the form below or dialing (866) 588-0600. You may be entitled to a settlement by filing a suit and our attorneys can help.
