Wrongful Death Suit Filed Over 5-Hour Energy Drink

A 27 year old Tennessee woman is suing the makers of "5-Hour Energy" claiming the energy drink caused her husband's fatal heart attack. In her complaint, Monica Hassell states that her deceased husband Antonio Hassell began drinking "5-Hour Energy" in June to help him keep awake at the warehouse in which he worked.

Mr. Hassell had a sudden heart attack while he was playing basketball on August 2, 2009 in Memphis. Physicians at Delta Medical Center concluded that the "5-Hour Energy" drink, was the cause of Mr. Hassell's Cardiac event. According to physicians at Delta Medical Center Mr. Hassell sustained anoxic encephalopathy and seizures due to a mixture of caffeine and amino acids.

The suit has named Innovation Ventures, LLC, doing business as Living Essentials, a company based in Detroit as defendant. Plaintiffs claim that the manufacturer failed to disclose increased risks of heart attacks and strokes caused by caffeine, taurine and other ingredients.

Many health experts are concerned about the effects of non-alcoholic, highly caffeinated beverages such as 5-Hour Energy and others. Perhaps this suit will lead to a higher level of awareness about the beverages that we drink everyday, and the inherent risks association with their consumption.