Table of contents
- Latest Redline Energy Drink Lawsuit Updates
- November 22, 2016: UAB Physicians Report Stroke After Redline
- March 16, 2015: Mirabella Plaintiffs Settle for Less than $5 Each
- February 27, 2015: Court Refuses Nationwide Class in Mirabella
- June 21, 2013: Judge Denies Bid to Toss Mirabella Class Action
- October 23, 2012: Mirabella Class Action Filed over Redline
- February 23, 2010: Judge Lets Aaronson Claims Proceed
- June 22, 2009: Courthouse News Reports Aaronson Class Action over Redline
- What Is Redline Energy Drink?
- Who May Be Affected?
- Reported Injuries or Damages
- Evidence to Preserve
- Filing Deadlines
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Redline Energy Drink Discontinued?
- Has Redline Energy Drink Been Recalled?
- What Does the Research Say About Redline and Stroke?
- Which Redline Products Were Named in the Aaronson Case?
Complaints against Redline energy drinks, made by Vital Pharmaceuticals, allege vomiting, chest pain, rapid heartbeat and convulsions. A University of Alabama at Birmingham report also described a stroke in a man who drank Redline.
Two consumer class actions over Redline were filed in federal court. Aaronson was filed in San Diego in June 2009. The second, Mirabella, filed in Florida federal court in October 2012, settled in March 2015 for less than $5 each.
In February 2010, the Aaronson court let the fraudulent concealment and breach-of-warranty claims proceed. No later Aaronson ruling is reported, and no pending Redline lawsuit, MDL or recall is reported.
Latest Redline Energy Drink Lawsuit Updates
November 22, 2016: UAB Physicians Report Stroke After Redline
UAB physicians reported the first case study of a hemorrhagic stroke after an energy drink, announced ahead of its publication in the American Journal of Emergency Medicine. The patient was a 57-year-old man who drank Redline [1].
March 16, 2015: Mirabella Plaintiffs Settle for Less than $5 Each
Two people who sued Vital Pharmaceuticals in Florida federal court settled their case for less than $5 each, the price of one drink.
They said a Redline energy drink put them in the hospital. Law360 reported the settlement on March 17, 2015 [2].
February 27, 2015: Court Refuses Nationwide Class in Mirabella
A Florida federal judge refused to certify a nationwide class of Redline Xtreme consumers in Mirabella. The judge said the plaintiffs could not reliably identify class members.
Law360 reported the class certification ruling on March 2, 2015 [3]. Vital had already lost an earlier bid to dismiss the case.
June 21, 2013: Judge Denies Bid to Toss Mirabella Class Action
Law360 reported that a Florida federal judge denied the motion to toss the proposed Mirabella class action over Redline, filed by Vital Pharmaceuticals. The judge said its arguments should be addressed later in the case [4].
October 23, 2012: Mirabella Class Action Filed over Redline
A man who said he was hospitalized after drinking Redline filed the putative class action Mirabella in Florida federal court.
Law360 reported the Mirabella filing [5]. The complaint names Vital Pharmaceuticals as the defendant. These claims are allegations, not court findings.
February 23, 2010: Judge Lets Aaronson Claims Proceed
A San Diego federal judge let Zack Aaronson’s fraudulent concealment and breach-of-warranty claims against Vital Pharmaceuticals proceed. Judge Whelan dismissed two safety claims without prejudice and deferred them to the FDA [6].
Courthouse News reported that the FDA has both the expertise and the authority to determine whether Redline is safe. No later Aaronson ruling is reported.
June 22, 2009: Courthouse News Reports Aaronson Class Action over Redline
Zack Aaronson filed a class action in San Diego federal court against Vital Pharmaceuticals. It claimed Redline drinks can cause vomiting, chest pains, rapid heartbeat, convulsions and “possibly death.”
Courthouse News reported the Aaronson complaint on June 22, 2009 [7]. The claims in the complaint are allegations, not findings.
What Is Redline Energy Drink?
Redline is an energy drink. According to UAB, it contains a high level of caffeine along with other ingredients, many of which are associated with increases in blood pressure.
The label says the 8 oz. bottle holds two servings. The FDA says certain conditions make people more sensitive to caffeine’s effects, as can some medications [8].
Who May Be Affected?
People who drank Redline energy drinks and then had chest pain, a rapid heartbeat, vomiting, convulsions or a stroke may be affected. The two class actions involved consumers who said they were hospitalized or had these symptoms.
The patient in the UAB case was a 57-year-old man with a history of elevated blood pressure. He drank the full 8 oz. bottle at one time. Only an individual legal review can weigh your own facts.
Reported Injuries or Damages
The Aaronson complaint alleged “possibly death,” and the Mirabella complaint also alleged chills. In the UAB case report, a CT scan revealed a small hemorrhage near the left thalamus.
The investigators said they have “little understanding” of how the drink’s supplements may interact. The report describes an association in one patient, not proof of cause.
The 2023 Nutrients review found energy drink consumption was primarily associated with cardiac arrhythmias [9]. That review also associated the high caffeine content of energy drinks with seizures, manic psychosis and cerebral vasculopathy. It does not name Redline.
Evidence to Preserve
Records from the day of the reaction can matter later. Keep the following items if you still have them:
- The can or bottle, its label, and any lot and date codes
- Receipts, card statements or loyalty records showing where and when it was bought
- Photographs of the product, the packaging and any injury
- Medical records, test results and bills
- A log of how much you drank and when
- Messages with the seller or the maker
Filing Deadlines
Filing deadlines come from state law. They depend on where you live and on when your injury or illness happened and was diagnosed.
Even a strong claim can end if a deadline passes. Speak with a lawyer promptly about the dates in your own situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Redline Energy Drink Discontinued?
Redline energy drink is discontinued for the Redline Xtreme brand from VPX Sports, according to BevNET [10]. VPX Sports is the name used by Vital Pharmaceuticals, the company sued in the Aaronson and Mirabella class actions.
Has Redline Energy Drink Been Recalled?
Redline energy drink has not been recalled, and no FDA or CPSC action names it. Canada recalled 29 energy drink brands in a nationwide action, and Redline is not one of them.
What Does the Research Say About Redline and Stroke?
The research on Redline and stroke is one UAB case report from 2016. In it, the man’s symptoms began about 15 minutes after he drank Redline, which the report presents as a single case.
Which Redline Products Were Named in the Aaronson Case?
The Aaronson complaint named Redline RTD, Redline Princess, Redline Power Rush, Redline Xtreme, Redline Concentrate and Redline Gel Caps. Courthouse News reported that Vital Pharmaceuticals sold the drinks under those names.