Are Energy Drinks being Linked to Injuries and Death

Energy drinks have been linked to dozens of reported deaths over the years, including cases involving popular brands such as Monster Energy, Red Bull, and 5-hour ENERGY.

But there is an important distinction between a death occurring after someone consumed an energy drink and a death proven to have been caused by one.

How Many People Have Died From Energy Drinks?

Currently, there is no reliable death toll for energy drinks, although deaths have occurred following their consumption.

A study published in the National Library of Medicine examined adverse-event reports submitted to the US Food and Drug Administration between 2008 and 2015. “Adverse event” is a medical/regulatory term for an unwanted or harmful health event that happens after someone uses or is exposed to a product. It does not necessarily mean the product caused the problem.

Among cases involving a single energy drink product, 35 deaths were reported. When three additional deaths involving multiple products were included, the total was 38.

However, these figures should not be described as 35 or 38 people who were proven to have died because of energy drinks.

The researchers found that eight of the 38 deaths had possible other causes mentioned in the reports, including motor vehicle accidents, suicide, acute respiratory failure and consumption of other substances. Seven reports involved more than 400 mg of caffeine, but the dose and role of energy drinks in those deaths were disputed. For the remaining 12 cases, there was insufficient information about the exposure or cause of death.

The researchers concluded that, apart from cases with autopsies, there was generally insufficient medical evidence beyond the adverse-event reports to establish a link between energy drink consumption and death.

Has Monster Energy Ever Killed Anyone?

Monster Energy has been named in reports of deaths and lawsuits, but those cases do not establish a definitive death toll attributable to the brand.

One of the best-known cases of someone reportedly dying after drinking Monster involved 14-year-old Anais Fournier from Maryland.

Fournier died in December 2011 after going into cardiac arrest. Her parents subsequently sued Monster Beverage Corporation, alleging that their daughter’s death was caused by consuming two 24-ounce Monster Energy drinks over two days.

Monster disputed the family’s allegations. In 2013, the company said that medical experts it had consulted found no medical, scientific, or factual evidence that its products contributed to Fournier’s death. The company also disputed a medical examiner’s conclusion concerning caffeine toxicity. The case settled in 2015, and the settlement terms were confidential.

Monster was also sued for causing the death of 19-year-old Alex Morris, who died of cardiac arrhythmia and had no preexisting health issues. 42-year-old Shane Felts also died of a heart attack after drinking Monster consistently for two weeks, and had no previous health issues. Both cases settled for an undisclosed amount.

Have Other Energy Drink Brands Been Linked to Deaths?

Monster is not the only energy drink to have been linked to deaths. While not all reports have resulted in lawsuits, some have, including:

Red Bull Linked to Fatal Heart Attacks

Cory Terry’s family sued Red Bull for $85 million when he died from a heart attack after drinking the beverage at a basketball game. Red Bull settled the case for an undisclosed sum.

The mother of William Jacob Wade, who died at 45 after suffering a fatal aortic dissection, is also suing Red Bull for $60 million, claiming that the drink was a substantial factor in his death. The case is ongoing.

5 Hour ENERGY Sued Over Link to Death

In another case, 27-year-old Antonio Hassell died in 2010 after suffering a heart attack while playing basketball. His widow sued the makers of 5-Hour ENERGY for $165 million, alleging that the drink caused his cardiac event and subsequent death. The lawsuit was later nonsuited without prejudice in November 2011, and no settlement has been publicly documented.

Panera Bread Settled Wrongful Death Energy Drink Cases

Panera Bread has also faced legal action for its Charged Lemonade. In 2022, 21-year-old Sarah Katz died after consuming the drink. Katz had Long QT syndrome, a heart condition that disrupts the heart’s electrical activity.

Her parents allege their daughter had no idea there was caffeine in the drink, and she went into cardiac arrest a few hours after consuming it. The case was settled for an undisclosed amount, as was the case brought by the family of Dennis Brown.

46-year-old Brown drank three Charged Lemonades before suffering a fatal cardiac arrest in 2023. He suffered from a chromosomal deficiency disorder, ADHD, and developmental delay, and it’s alleged he was also unaware of the drink’s high caffeine content.

Makers of Alani Nu Sued Over Energy Drink Death

A more recent case involves the family of 17-year-old Texas cheerleader Larissa Nicole Rodriguez, who died in 2025 after developing an enlarged heart, which her family attributes to consuming large amounts of caffeine. Her parents are suing Celsius Holdings Inc., the makers of popular energy drink Alani Nu.

Their lawsuit alleges that, although the cans state that the drinks are not recommended for children, the warnings did not adequately address the serious cardiac risks associated with excessive caffeine consumption.

Why Is It Not Possible to Give An Exact Number Of Deaths Linked to Energy Drinks?

First, as seen in some of the cases listed above, people who consume energy drinks may have underlying health conditions that can contribute to serious events. Second, some reported cases involve alcohol, medications, recreational drugs, or other substances. Third, someone may drink an energy drink shortly before an illness or death without it being the cause.

The FDA adverse-event study perfectly illustrates the problem. Of the 38 deaths identified, the researchers found evidence of other possible causes in some cases and insufficient information in others.

This is why, despite there being many reported deaths, there is no scientifically established figure for the number of people who die from energy drinks each year.

The lack of definitive evidence linking a particular death to an energy drink does not mean that families cannot bring claims against energy drink companies. As the cases above show, some lawsuits have resulted in settlements. However, a settlement does not necessarily mean that the company admitted liability, or that the drink was proven to be the cause of death.

If you believe an energy drink contributed to a serious injury or death, you may have a product liability claim. Contact Munley Law for a free consultation to discuss your case.