Monster Beverage Corp. was named as the defendant in a wrongful death lawsuit filed in California. The lawsuit was filed by the mother of a 19-year-old man. The plaintiff claims the teenager drank two of the company’s energy drinks during the 24 hours before his death and that those drinks contributed to the young man’s death.
An autopsy was performed and the causes of death were listed as cardiomyopathy and cardiac arrhythmia. Toxicology reports do not show any indication of alcohol or illegal drugs, according to a press release issued by the plaintiff’s attorneys.
Monster Beverage released a statement saying that there was no causal connection between the teen’s consumption of one or two of their energy drinks and his cardiac arrest. The statement went on to say that there is no evidence they are aware of that links the energy drinks to the young man’s death.
This is the second wrongful death lawsuit filed against Monster Beverage. The other case involved a young woman who died under circumstances that are allegedly similar to the most recently filed case. Monster Beverage retained experts who have said the energy drinks were not a contributing factor in her death. Instead, the company maintains that a condition known as Ehlers-Danlose Syndrome was to blame.
In the most recent case, the plaintiff is seeking general damages over $25,000 as well as punitive damages. The claims of the lawsuit include “strict product liability, failure to warn and negligence in the design, sale and manufacturing of the product.”
Monster maintains their energy drinks are safe based upon scientific evidence that supports the safety of the ingredients in the drinks. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has been investigating the safety of such beverages for quite some time now after there were reports of serious health problems and deaths that were linked to the drinks.
If you believe you have been injured due to dangerous or defective products, contact a Florida personal injury attorney. You will learn more about your rights in such a case and your attorney can determine the best course of action for getting you the financial compensation you deserve for such claims as pain and suffering, lost wages and medical expenses.
Source:
foodproductdesign.com, “Monster Energy Slapped With Second Wrongful Death Lawsuit” Josh Long, Jun. 26, 2013
