TN Widow Says 5-Hour Energy Drink Killed Her Husband; Wrongful Death Lawsuit Filed

A young widow with two small children has filed a Tennessee wrongful death lawsuit alleging that the popular 5-Hour Energy drink caused her 27 year old husband to suffer a heart attack and die. Manufacturers have made billions of dollars in the booming energy drink industry; however, have they provided adequate warnings about the products dangers?

Tennessee Wrongful Death Lawsuit: How Much Is Too Much Caffeine?

That’s what this Tennessee wrongful death lawsuit will address. According to news reports, 27 year old Antonio Hassell was married with two young children and worked the night shift at a warehouse to support his family. Managing two kids during the day and working the night shift would make anyone tired, so Hassell began drinking 5-Hour Energy, a mixture of caffeine and amino acids to stay awake during his shift.

Hassell, like so many others who turn to energy drinks to get through the day, thought they were completely safe. However, in August of 2009, he died of a heart attack while playing basketball and doctors at Delta Medical Center concluded that his death was caused by the energy drink. Stunned that her under 30 year old husband died of a cardiac event, his widow hired a Tennessee wrongful death lawyer and filed a wrongful death lawsuit against 5-Hour Energy manufacturer Innovation Ventures, LLC, doing business as Living Essentials. A court will now determine how much is too much caffeine.

Tennessee Wrongful Death Lawsuit: Why Manufacturers Often Fail To Warn

Manufacturers make products so that consumers will buy them. However, increased risks lead to fewer sales’ something manufacturers know all too well. While the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) requires consumer warnings on certain drugs, it does not generally require warnings on over the counter (OTC) products such as energy drinks. But, does that mean injured consumers or their families have no recourse? Absolutely not.

According to wrongful death lawyers, manufacturers have a duty to test their products and provide consumers with adequate warnings about all potential side effects and risks. When they don’t, they can be liable for the injuries’ and deaths’ that may result from their negligence. That may include wrongful death compensation such as lost wages, medical expenses, pain and suffering, loss of consortium and more.