Monster Energy Drink Deaths and Hospitalizations

Lawsuits have been filed against Monster Beverage alleging Monster Energy Drinks are unreasonably dangerous. Plaintiffs allege their loved ones died as a result of ingesting Monster Energy Drinks due to elevated caffeine levels contained in the drinks. One high-profile lawsuit was filed by the family of Anais Fournier, who alleged Fournier's cardiac arrest was the result of drinking two 24-ounce cans of Monster Energy in less than 24 hours.

According to reports, Monster Energy beverages contain around 240 mgs of caffeine per serving. Some experts, however, say the caffeine levels are even higher because the drinks contain stimulants that are not listed as caffeine. These ingredients are known as "masked caffeine," caffeine that is even more highly concentrated than that found in coffee. Furthermore, some energy drink containers may contain more than a single serving. Although a safe caffeine limit for adults is around 400 mgs per day, for children, the safe ingestion rate is between 45-85 mgs per day.

Caffeine overdose has been linked to serious health problems, including arrhythmia, atrial fibrillation, or myocardial infarction, which can lead to death. A recent study published by the Canadian Journal of Cardiology (3/26/15) suggested energy drinks could increase the risk of heart problems, even in youth who appear healthy or have no apparent underlying heart issues.

A study published by Pediatrics in February 2011 also suggested that adolescents who consume energy drinks are at an increased risk of serious heart problems. That risk is reportedly even more pronounced in adolescents who have heart problems, seizures, or are on certain medications. The same study found that of the 5,448 US caffeine overdoses reported in 2007, 46 percent involved adolescents younger than 19.

The FDA does not require energy drink companies, including Monster, to list the exact amount of caffeine on ingredient labels because the products are regulated as dietary food supplements instead of food. Energy drinks are also sold as nutritional supplements, even though they may not have any nutritional value. Because of this regulation, energy drinks may exceed the FDA-mandated limit of 71 milligrams of caffeine for a 12-ounce soda.

As well, the FDA does not allow soda to have more than 0.02 percent caffeine, but energy drinks aren't subject to this limit.

Lawsuits have been filed against the makers of monster energy drinks, alleging consumers were not adequately warned about the risks of ingesting the drinks. Three lawsuits have recently been settled for undisclosed amounts.

One high-profile lawsuit was recently expected to go to trial. That lawsuit was the case of Anais Fournier, who was 14 years old when she ingested two Monster Energy drinks in a 24-hour period. Fournier died of cardiac arrest. The lawsuits of Alex Morris and Shane Felts also recently went to court and were reportedly settled for undisclosed amounts.

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Last updated on Oct-19-15