• 04
  • August
    2010

5 Hour Energy markets itself by offering "hours of energy now, with no crash later." However, if a recent wrongful death suit is successful, the energy drink could be facing bigger problems than a "2:30 crash." 

In the wrongful death suit, Monica Hassell accuses 5 Hour Energy of a failure to disclose the product's ingredients and risks associated with it. On August 2, 2009 her husband Antonio suffered a massive heart attack while playing basketball. Several months later, he passed away.

She claims that doctors later cited his "use of energy drinks" as the "sole causative factor" for his heart attack. Apparently, Antonio had begun using the drink in June to help him stay awake for his job at a warehouse.

On its label, 5 Hour Energy lists the amount of vitamins used, as well as recording the "energy blend" in a lump sum. One of Hassell's largest complaints is the lack of a warning on the product. On the product website, at the very bottom of the page, the makers advise against the use of too much caffeine and admit that none of the claims on the site have been regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Hassell claims that her husband would not have used 5 Hour Energy had he been properly informed as to the potential side effects.

In her lawsuit, she is asking for $15 million, plus an extra $150 million in punitive damages for personal injury, wrongful death, strict product liability and breach of implied warranty.

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