University Of Pennsylvania Student Dies After Drinking Lemonade
A recent incident in Pennsylvania highlights the fact that certain drinks can be deadly – even if they contain zero alcohol and are sold by seemingly reputable companies. In many situations, consumers have no idea what they are actually drinking when they purchase lemonade or a holiday-themed drink at an establishment. If the company selling these drinks misleads the public about ingredients that could potentially be fatal, they face the possibility of a personal injury lawsuit.
Student Dies after Ingesting Highly Caffeinated Lemonade
On October 25th of 2023, it was reported that a student at UPenn had lost her life after consuming a glass of lemonade. The beverage in question was sold by Panera Bread, and it allegedly contained a high level of caffeine. In fact, there was so much caffeine in this product that was apparently more powerful than a Red Bull and a Monster combined.
The situation seems even more concerning when you consider the fact that Panera Bread apparently gave the student no warning. She had no idea that she was about to consume one of the most powerful caffeinated beverages available in the United States. In the end, it seems as though this beverage was enough to kill the student, and she died shortly after consuming it. Her official cause of death was cardiac arrest.
It should be noted that the student had a pre-existing heart condition called long QT syndrome type 1. Because of this condition, she was specifically instructed to avoid all energy drinks. She apparently took these instructions very seriously and never purposely ingested an energy drink. However, it seems that she was completely taken off guard by the labeling of Panera’s lemonade – which was advertised as simply “Charged Lemonade.” The title provided no indication that it contained any caffeine whatsoever. In addition to the caffeine, the lemonade also apparently contained 30 teaspoons of sugar and another powerful stimulant called guarana extract. The combination of these ingredients was essentially a recipe for disaster – especially for someone with a heart condition.
The Victim’s Family is Suing – and the FDA is Investigating
The FDA is paying close attention to this incident, stating that they are currently “gathering information.” Aside from this statement, the FDA is remaining tight-lipped – as it does not comment on litigation. Speaking of litigation, the family is suing Panera Bread – claiming that they had a legal duty of care to inform customers of the drink’s ingredients. They also point out that the student was extremely cautious about avoiding energy drinks due to her health condition – and she would not have purchased the beverage had she been aware of its ingredients.
Where Can I Find a Qualified, Experienced Personal Injury Attorney in Pennsylvania?
If you’ve been searching for a qualified, experienced Scranton personal injury attorney, look no further than the Needle Law Firm. We know that losing a loved one to a preventable accident can be difficult to endure – especially if it involves a drink with dangerous ingredients. Distributors of dangerous products should be held accountable – regardless of what they are selling. Book your consultation today to discuss the most appropriate course of action.
Sources:
nbcnews.com/news/us-news/panera-fda-charged-lemonade-death-university-pennsylvania-sarah-katz-rcna122110
wtaj.com/news/regional-news/panera-faces-lawsuit-after-charged-lemonade-resulted-in-death-of-a-pennsylvania-student/
