A study presented to the American Heart Association this week reports that more than half of the calls to poison control centers regarding energy drinks like Monster and Red Bull come from parents concerned about children under the age of 6 who have ingested the beverages.

The heavily caffeinated drinks are known to be dangerous for certain individuals of all ages, and have been reported to cause seizures and heart problems. The problem with energy drinks is not just the caffeine and sugar, it is the synergistic effect of the caffeine with other compounds such as Taurine, Guarana, Panax Ginseng, Inositol and Glucuronolactone. The synergistic effect has not been properly studied by the scientific community, and the Energy Drink Industry continues to target their marketing at teenagers.

While most people associate energy drinks with teenagers and young adults, the study found that over 2,500 calls to the poison control centers were regarding accident exposures by children less than six years old.

Almost a third of these cases required medical treatment because of serious symptoms like nausea, vomiting, seizures, chest pain, or erratic heart rhythms.

The American Medical Association, The American Academy of Pediatrics, several U.S. Senators, and many other health organizations including the Maryland Chapter of the American College of Cardiology have taken notice of the increasing reports of medical problems caused by the consumption of energy drinks, and have  called for limited or restricted sales to children under 18, and have warned that excessive consumption of caffeine may lead to heart problems or even death.

Commenting on the study, Dr. Steven Lipshultz, chairman of pediatrics at Wayne State University remarked, [Caffeine] has no place in the diet of children and teenagers, and it shouldn’t be marketed at all to those under 18. If the goal is to try to protect the public’s health, then these [energy drinks] should be regulated similar to tobacco, alcohol and driving, so you have fewer kids winding up in the hospital or intensive care.

The personal injury attorneys at Goldberg Finnegan have also spent extensive time researching the devastating effects energy drinks have had on young children and families. Our law firm has compiled multiple resources for parents and others who may be concerned about the dangers of energy drinks.    We also worked hard in 2014 to get a bill passed in Maryland that would ban the sale of energy drinks to minors. At the hearing on Maryland House Bill 1273 there was undisputed medical testimony presented that energy drinks are extremely dangerous for anyone with an underlying heart condition.

If you or your family has been injured or harmed by drinks like Monster, Rockstar, or Red Bull, the energy drink lawyers at Goldberg Finnegan want to hear from you. Our attorneys will review your claim for free, and help you protect your legal rights.