FDA: 5 Hour Energy Drink Linked to Multiple Deaths

Following news reports about the alleged link between Monster Energy drink and five deaths last month, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is now investigating the 5-Hour Energy drink after receiving claims that the highly caffeinated drink may have led to 13 deaths and 33 hospitalizations over the past four years.

Incidentally, 5-Hour Energy, which comes in 2 ounce packages and contains a powerful caffeine punch which can be an equivalent of two cups of coffee, is manufactured and distributed by the Michigan-based manufacturer, Living Essentials.

According to the USC Director of Toxicology, Dr. Sean Patrick Nord, if someone consumes multiple packages of the said energy drink, it is when the side effects begin to take place. In fact, one can consume huge quantity of caffeine that can be equivalent to 30 to 40 cups of coffee by consuming multiple cans of it.

Based on Consumer Reports, the caffeine concentration of the 2 ounce shot of 5-Hour Energy is 215 milligrams, which is far higher than the FDA’s legal limits. Under the FDA protocol, any soda drink must only contain 72 milligrams of caffeine per 2 ounce. 

Meanwhile, the manufacturer strongly affirmed that these are just product liability claims and there are no proven links yet between the energy drink and the deaths. In addition, its founder and CEO, Manoj Bhargava, told some media sources that the 5-Hour Energy is intended only for busy adults. He added that it doesn’t do any harm if and only it was consumed as directed.

Consequently, critics highlighted their concerns about children with underlying heart problems who drink energy beverages since they are more dangerous than coffee due to temperature.

On the other hand, a Los Angeles injury attorney here claims that although there is no proven link yet between the reported deaths and the highly caffeinated drinks, consumers should nevertheless start taking precautions at this early point of time before anything bad happens.

Judge Rules over Justin Bieber’s Wild Paparazzi Chase

Just when Justin Bieber is visibly having rough days after his break up with Selena Gomez while becoming a rough driver as well, an update regarding his wild paparazzi chase case has finally came to light.

According to news reports, a judge in Bieber’s wild car chase recently ruled that the California paparazzi law is unconstitutional.

Consequently, the presiding judge threw two out of the four criminal charges that were set against the photographer who chased Bieber while trying to shoot pictures of him. Accordingly, the charges that were dropped were based on the new paparazzi law. In fact, the judge called the said law as ‘problematic,’ as it prevented lawful activities by the media.

Incidentally, the said wild paparazzi chase has been a center of disputes ever since. In fact, shortly after that wild chase incident in July, deputies have been arguing whether Bieber should be cited for the high speed chase or not.

Nevertheless, the deputies still considered the paparazzo as the biggest offender for the wild chase.

Eventually, the paparazzo was prosecuted since he committed a misdemeanor outside the California Highway Patrol’s (CHP) presence, according to traffic enforcers.

So far, the said ruling will not have an immediate effect since it was laid down by a trial judge. The L.A. City attorney was said to appeal the ruling.

Unfortunately, if the court of appeals likewise sides with the trial judge’s previous ruling, definitely, it could have a big impact on how the paparazzi are prosecuted across the state. Moreover, it could also mean that it is no longer safe for celebrities and even for other drivers and pedestrians to roam around the streets of L.A. when there are paparazzi around, speculated by a Los Angeles automobile accident attorney.

Minor Car Accident Distracts Driver, Causes Major Crash

An 18-year-old driver looking at a minor car accident along Garner Lane caused another car crash, which resulted in two passengers getting severe injuries.

According to news reports, the accident occurred at around 5 o’clock in the afternoon last Wednesday on Highway 99 at Garner Lane, Chico, Butte, California.

Police reports revealed that a northbound Toyota Tacoma driven by Matthew Ledford crashed into a red Honda Civic driven by Luke Mellis, 20, who was waiting for the southbound traffic to turn into an orchard.

Ledford was blamed for the incident since Mellis had his blinker on while waiting to make a turn when the distracted Ledford hit his Honda Civic.

Fortunately, both drivers were left unscathed while two teen female passengers were severely injured after hitting their heads hard. The two women were transported to the nearest hospital, according to California Highway Patrol spokesperson Mark Keyes.

Apparently, it appeared from the initial investigation that the Toyota’s airbags deployed but the Honda’s did not due to the strong impact of the collision. In addition, the vehicle model of the Honda had no passenger airbags installed.

Meanwhile, police claimed that alcohol or drugs is not a factor to the incident but only an indication of a distracted driver.

Incidentally, such type of accidents can be prevented if only the driver stayed focus on driving. Distracted driving is dangerous and in split second can cause devastation into one’s life. Therefore, if drivers would not pay their full attention on driving, further similar accidents are likely to happen, reminded by a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer.