Panera Bread Sued Over Charged Lemonade
A woman from Rhode Island has filed a lawsuit against Panera Bread, claiming that their caffeinated Charged Lemonade caused her long-term heart problems.
The plaintiff, Lauren Skerritt, who is 28 years old, used to be an athlete and regularly worked out. However, after consuming two-and-a-half Charged Lemonades at a Panera location in Greenville, Rhode Island on April 8, 2023, she allegedly experienced palpitations and dizziness, symptoms she had not previously encountered.
The day after consuming the lemonade, Skerritt sought medical attention at Rhode Island Hospital's Emergency Department. The lawsuit states that she was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, an irregular heartbeat that can lead to serious health complications, including stroke and heart problems.
Skerritt, an occupational therapist and vegetarian, ordered the drink primarily because it was advertised as "plant-based" and "clean," according to the complaint.
Panera Faces Lawsuits Over Charged Lemonade
A woman named Skerritt has filed a lawsuit against Panera, claiming that their Charged Lemonade caused her severe health problems. According to the suit, Skerritt experiences rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, brain fog, body shakes, weakness, and has developed a tremor in one hand as a result of consuming the beverage. These symptoms have prevented her from working, exercising, and socializing at her previous capacity. Skerritt and her husband have also had to put their plans of starting a family on hold due to her condition.
Panera Charged Lemonade Lawsuits
In addition to Skerritt's lawsuit, Panera is facing two wrongful death suits related to their Charged Lemonade. One lawsuit, filed in October, alleges that Dennis Brown drank three of the drinks, unknowingly consuming high levels of caffeine, before suffering a fatal cardiac arrest. Another lawsuit, filed in October as well, was brought by the family of Sarah Katz, a college student with a heart condition who died after drinking a Charged Lemonade beverage.
According to Elizabeth Crawford, a partner at Kline & Specter who is involved in all three legal actions, the Katz case is currently in the process of discovery and deposition scheduling, while the Brown case will soon enter the discovery phase. The lawsuit against Panera alleges that the Charged Lemonade contains a high amount of caffeine, with a 30-ounce serving exceeding the caffeine content of a 12-ounce Red Bull and a 16-ounce Monster Energy Drink combined.
Panera's website currently lists the Charged drinks as ranging from 124 milligrams of caffeine to as much as 236 milligrams.
Additional warnings
The beverages labeled by Panera as Charged Sips should be consumed in moderation, the company's website now states. "Not recommended for children, people sensitive to caffeine, pregnant or nursing women," a banner on the site currently reads.
Crawford said she interprets these changes, which she said were made after the initial suit was filed, as a sign the cases have merit.
"Panera has taken actions to decrease the caffeine in the product, they've put up additional warnings and they placed it behind the counter now so it's not accessible to all," Crawford told CBS MoneyWatch in December, before the latest suit was filed.
