Luke Adams : Teen revived after consuming Panera Charged Lemonade, lawsuit claims

Accident – Death – Obituary News : : 1. Teen cardiac arrest lawsuit
2. Panera Charged Lemonade resuscitation

A Pennsylvania teenager had to be resuscitated in March when he went into cardiac arrest after drinking Panera Bread’s highly caffeinated Charged Lemonade, a lawsuit says. The suit, filed Monday and obtained first by NBC News, comes just under two weeks after Panera announced it was discontinuing the controversial beverage. It is at least the fourth lawsuit filed against the bakery-café chain over the drink, which previous suits have blamed for two deaths and a woman’s permanent health problems. Panera has denied wrongdoing in legal documents and did not immediately respond to questions about Monday’s lawsuit, which was filed in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

Teenager Goes into Cardiac Arrest After Drinking Panera Bread’s Charged Lemonade in Pennsylvania

In a shocking incident that took place in March in Monroeville, Pennsylvania, a teenager had to be resuscitated after going into cardiac arrest following the consumption of Panera Bread’s highly caffeinated Charged Lemonade. The lawsuit, which was filed on Monday and obtained exclusively by NBC News, marks the fourth legal action against the bakery-café chain regarding this controversial beverage.

Details of the Incident

The lawsuit alleges that Luke Adams, an 18-year-old high school junior from Monroeville, purchased a chicken sandwich and a large Charged Lemonade on March 9. Later that evening, while watching a movie with friends at a local theater, Adams became unresponsive, prompting one of his friends to realize that something was wrong. It was then discovered that Adams had gone into cardiac arrest.

Fortunately, two nurses and a cardiologist who happened to be present in the theater sprang into action, performing CPR on Adams and using an automated external defibrillator to shock his heart back to life. Dr. Andrew Pogozelski, the cardiologist who treated Adams, mentioned that the swift actions of those individuals greatly increased Adams’ chances of survival.

Medical Complications and Recovery

Following the incident, Adams experienced two seizures and was rushed to the hospital. Medical notes included in the lawsuit indicated that the seizures were possibly related to the cardiac arrest caused by the heavy caffeine intake from Panera’s Charged Lemonade. Despite the ordeal, Adams expressed feeling extremely fortunate to have survived the harrowing experience.

During his hospitalization, Adams was intubated, and doctors implanted a subcutaneous defibrillator to monitor his heart’s rhythm and provide immediate intervention if needed in the future. Adams’ mother, Lisa Feyes, an emergency room nurse, shared her trauma at nearly losing her son and the emotional toll it took on her.

Panera’s Response and Legal Ramifications

Panera has faced multiple lawsuits over its Charged Lemonade, with previous cases linking the beverage to two deaths and a woman’s permanent health issues. The bakery-café chain has denied any wrongdoing in legal documents and did not immediately respond to inquiries regarding the latest lawsuit filed in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

In response to the legal actions and public outcry, Panera announced the discontinuation of its Charged Lemonade. The beverage, which contained caffeine from various sources, including guarana extract, was criticized for being a “dangerous energy drink.” The lawsuits against Panera have highlighted the need for clearer warnings and disclosures regarding the product’s caffeine content and potential health risks.

Legal Action and Seeking Justice

Adams’ lawsuit seeks a jury trial and damages, accusing Panera of negligence, carelessness, and recklessness in the design, marketing, and promotion of the Charged Lemonade. Elizabeth Crawford, a partner at the law firm representing Adams and other plaintiffs in similar cases, emphasized that the incident was preventable and called for greater accountability from Panera.

As the legal proceedings unfold, Adams and his family hope to raise awareness about the dangers of highly caffeinated beverages and prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. The outcome of the lawsuits against Panera could have significant implications for the food and beverage industry’s responsibility in promoting consumer safety.