Panera hit with third lawsuit over Charged Lemonade

Panera Charged Lemonade lawsuit overview:

• Who: Plaintiff Luke Adams filed a Charged Lemonade lawsuit against Panera Bread Co. and Panera LLC.
• Why: Adams says he suffered cardiac arrest and other health issues after consuming a Charged Lemonade beverage.
• Where: The Panera lawsuit was filed in Pennsylvania federal court.

Panera Bread Company and Panera LLC face a third Charged Lemonade lawsuit claiming a healthy 18-year-old male suffered sudden cardiac arrest after consuming the highly caffeinated energy drink.

Plaintiff Luke Adams says he purchased and consumed a large Mango Yuzu Citrus Charged Lemonade from a Panera store March 9, not realizing the beverage contained high amounts of caffeine, sugar and guarana.

Later that evening, Adams reportedly experienced sudden cardiac arrest and was unresponsive, the lawsuit claims.

“The cardiac arrest was later found to be caused by ventricular fibrillation, a type of heart arrhythmia that can be triggered by caffeine,” according to the Panera lawsuit.

While awaiting a 911 response, Adams received CPR and electrical shocks from an AED in effort to restore his heart to its regular rhythm. An ambulance transported him to the hospital, where he experienced seizure activity, the Charged Lemonade lawsuit claims.

Once stabilized, the lawsuit says Adams was admitted to the ICU where he was intubated and put on a respirator.

Upon evaluation, a neurologist reported the seizures were of “unclear etiology, possibly related to cardiac arrest secondary to caffeine intake from Panera Charged Lemonade,” the lawsuit alleges. A cardiologist reportedly determined “heavy caffeine intake identified is only potential trigger” of his cardiac arrest.

Adams says his life has been affected physically, emotionally, socially and financially and he now suffers from post traumatic stress disorder and generalized anxiety.

“He can no longer take part in the same lifestyle habits he held previously as he now has an implantable cardioverter defibrillator and an underlying heart condition triggered by the Panera Charged Lemonade,” the Panera lawsuit alleges.

Charged Lemonade lawsuit says Panera knows drink poses health risks to consumers

Panera Charged Lemonade drinks reportedly contain between 260 and 390 milligrams of caffeine, depending on the size of the beverage ordered, the lawsuit claims.

Adams alleges Panera knew or should have known its Charged Lemonade beverages can potentially cause catastrophic injuries and/or death to consumers. Despite knowing the risks, Panera failed to warn consumers about the potential risks, the Charged Lemonade lawsuit says.

Panera has already been hit with two other lawsuits over harm allegedly caused by its highly-caffeinated Charged Lemonade beverages. One lawsuit alleges a 21-year-old girl died after consuming a Charged Lemonade beverage and experiencing cardiac arrest. 

Another lawsuit alleges the beverage caused the death of a 46-year-old man who did not realize the drink contained potentially dangerous levels of caffeine.

What do you think about the allegations in the Charged Lemonade lawsuits? Join the discussion in the comments.

Adams is represented by Thomas R. Kline, Elizabeth A. Crawford, Michelle A. Paznokas and Wyatt Larkin of Kline & Specter PC.

The Panera Charged Lemonade lawsuit is Luke Adams v. Panera Bread Company, et al., Case No. 2:24-cv-02137-TJS, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

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