Philadelphia personal injury lawyers report results from a survey conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration indicating that visits to the emergency room have risen from 2007 to 2011 by more than double. According to estimates, about 10,000 people sought treatment arising from the consumption of energy drinks in 2007. In 2011, that number grew to more than 20,000.
In most cases, treatment was sought by teens or young adults – groups that energy drinks have grown in popularity with over the last few years. The study did not say what symptoms sent the patients to the emergency room, but experts report that energy drink consumption can lead to:
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- insomnia;
- nervousness;
- headache;
- fast heartbeat; and
- seizures.
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The severity of these symptoms may vary, and hospitalization may sometimes be required. Many emergency care physicians have also reported an increase in the amount of patients they have seen suffering from irregular heartbeats, anxiety, and heart attacks who indicated that they recently drank an energy drink.
Personal Injury Lawyers: Health Concerns, Wrongful Death Lawsuits Could Lead to Required Labels on Energy Drinks
Recently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced that it may require health warning labels on caffeinated energy drinks. The agency is in the process of reviewing the safety of the drinks and the levels of caffeine in the products amid concerns from senators and others who believe that energy drinks and their ingredients pose dangerous risks to young people and those with pre-existing health issues, such as heart conditions.
Last year, the FDA released a report indicating that 5-Hour Energy had been associated with 18 deaths since 2004 and Monster drinks have been connected to five deaths. The parents of a 14-year-old Maryland girl who died after consuming two cans of Monster Beverage’s energy drink have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the company.
New Jersey and Philadelphia Personal Injury Lawyers
The Philadelphia personal injury lawyers at Messa & Associates are experienced at handling product liability cases in which a defective product has caused injury or death. Our extremely skilled team of personal injury lawyers and medical experts is dedicated to ensuring you receive proper compensation for your personal injuries. If you have suffered an injury as a result of any energy drink including Monster or 5-Hour Energy, another defective product, or any other type of personal injury, contact the personal injury lawyers of Messa & Associates for a free consultation. Call toll free at 1-877-MessaLaw, or submit a free online inquiry.