If you or someone you love suffered a serious health event — a heart attack, stroke, cardiac arrest, or death — after drinking Red Bull, you may have legal options right now. Attorneys across the country are actively reviewing Red Bull injury cases, and most work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless they win.
This guide covers everything you need to know about Red Bull injury lawsuits: what injuries qualify, what past cases have shown, how much these claims are worth, and exactly what to do next. Symple Lending Lawsuit
Quick Answer: Red Bull has faced multiple personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits tied to cardiovascular events including heart attacks and aortic dissection. Individual injury claims are still being reviewed in all 50 states. There is no general filing deadline — but your state’s statute of limitations (typically 2–3 years from the date of injury) means time is not on your side. Contact an attorney as soon as possible.
Red Bull Lawsuit Overview
| Key Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Company | Red Bull GmbH / Red Bull North America, Inc. |
| Type of Claims | Personal injury, wrongful death, product liability, failure to warn |
| Injuries Linked | Heart attack, aortic dissection, cardiac arrest, stroke |
| High-Risk Groups | People with heart conditions, diabetes, seizure disorders; children; teens |
| Notable Settlements | $85M sought (Terry), $35M sought (Wade) — both undisclosed outcomes |
| False Advertising Settlement | $13M, fully closed (2014–2016, no longer active) |
| Attorney Fees | Contingency basis — you pay nothing unless you win |
| Statute of Limitations | Typically 2–3 years from date of injury (varies by state) |
| Attorneys Reviewing Cases | All 50 states, nationwide |
What Are the Red Bull Injury Lawsuits About?
Most people have heard about the famous “Red Bull Gives You Wings” false advertising settlement. That case closed years ago. What fewer people know is that a separate and far more serious set of lawsuits exists — cases where people suffered life-threatening cardiac events and died after drinking Red Bull.
These are personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits, and they’re built on a different legal foundation than the false advertising case. The core claim isn’t that Red Bull failed to give you an energy boost — it’s that Red Bull failed to warn consumers about real, documented cardiovascular risks, and that its ingredients may have directly contributed to heart attacks, cardiac arrest, aortic dissection, and death.
The Two Types of Red Bull Lawsuits — Don’t Confuse Them
| Lawsuit Type | What It’s About | Who It Covers | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| False Advertising Class Action | “Gives You Wings” slogan was misleading | Anyone who bought Red Bull 2002–2014 | Fully closed. No claims possible. |
| Personal Injury / Wrongful Death | Red Bull caused heart attack, cardiac event, or death | Individuals with serious injuries | Active — attorneys reviewing nationwide |
If you bought Red Bull hoping to collect from the old $13 million settlement, that window closed a decade ago. But if you or a family member suffered a serious medical event, that’s an entirely different situation — and it’s one that still has a legal path forward.
A History of Red Bull Injury and Wrongful Death Cases
Red Bull has been named in multiple personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits. Here’s the documented timeline of major cases:
Timeline of Key Red Bull Injury Cases
| Year | Event | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2004–2012 | FDA adverse event reports | FDA received 21 serious injury reports linking Red Bull to chest pain, fatigue, dizziness, and hospitalization |
| November 2011 | Cory Terry, Brooklyn, NY | 33-year-old died of a heart attack during basketball after drinking Red Bull |
| 2013 | Terry v. Red Bull (wrongful death) | Family filed an $85 million wrongful death lawsuit against Red Bull |
| January 2013 | First false advertising lawsuit filed | Careathers v. Red Bull, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York |
| October 2014 | False advertising settlement agreed | $13 million settlement — later closed; separate from injury claims |
| 2014 | William Jacob Wade death, Savannah, GA | 44-year-old suffered fatal aortic dissection after consuming Red Bull |
| May 2015 | False advertising settlement approved | Judge approved $13M payout — fully separate from injury lawsuits |
| March 2016 | Wade v. Red Bull filed | Wade’s mother filed a $35 million wrongful death lawsuit |
| 2010–2013 | Poison control reports | Nearly 5,000 calls to U.S. poison control centers involving energy drink illness |
| 2026 | Injury cases still active | Attorneys continue to review new injury and death cases nationwide |
Cory Terry — $85 Million Wrongful Death Lawsuit
In November 2011, Cory Terry was 33 years old and in good health by all accounts. He was playing basketball in Brooklyn, New York. During the game, he drank Red Bull. Shortly after, he collapsed and died of a heart attack.
His family filed an $85 million wrongful death lawsuit against Red Bull in 2013. The lawsuit alleged that Red Bull contained “extra stimulants that make it different than a cup of coffee” and that the company failed to warn consumers about the cardiovascular risks. Red Bull eventually reached an undisclosed settlement with the family.
William Jacob Wade — $35 Million Wrongful Death Lawsuit
In 2014, William Jacob Wade, a 44-year-old man from Savannah, Georgia, suffered a fatal aortic dissection — a catastrophic tearing of the main artery — after consuming Red Bull. In March 2016, his mother, Ann Edenfield Lemley, filed a $35 million wrongful death lawsuit. The complaint stated that Red Bull was “a substantial factor in causing Mr. Wade’s death” and that consumers had not been adequately warned about the heart risks associated with the drink.
What the FDA Found
Between 2004 and 2012, the FDA received 21 adverse event reports from hospitals connecting Red Bull to serious medical events. Of those reports, 10 victims were hospitalized with life-threatening injuries. Reported symptoms included chest pain, fatigue, dizziness, and cardiac events.
Despite this data, Red Bull did not add meaningful warning labels to its cans.
What’s Inside Red Bull — And Why It’s Risky for Some People
Red Bull is not a simple caffeinated drink. Each standard 8.3-ounce can contains a specific combination of ingredients that researchers say can interact to affect the cardiovascular system in ways that caffeine alone may not.
Red Bull Ingredients Per Standard Can
| Ingredient | Amount Per 8.3oz Can | Known Risk |
|---|---|---|
| Caffeine | 80 mg | Elevated heart rate, blood pressure, cardiac stress |
| Sugar | 27 grams | Cardiovascular strain, blood sugar spikes |
| Taurine | 1,000 mg | Combined with caffeine, linked to forceful heart contractions |
| Glucuronolactone | 600 mg | Limited independent research on cardiovascular effects |
| Niacin (Vitamin B3) | 100% daily value | Liver stress at elevated doses |
| Vitamin B6 | 250% daily value | Neurological risks at excessive levels |
| Vitamin B12 | 80% daily value | Generally safe in isolation |
The concern with Red Bull isn’t any single ingredient — it’s the combination. A 2013 MRI study found that energy drinks can cause more forceful heart contractions, which may be harmless for most people but can be fatal for those with underlying heart rhythm problems. Separate research showed that even one can of Red Bull could cause blood to become stickier, increasing the risk of clotting.
For context, one 8.3-ounce can of Red Bull contains roughly the same caffeine as a standard cup of coffee — but the taurine, glucuronolactone, and B-vitamin combination creates an effect researchers say is distinct from coffee consumption and may carry different cardiovascular implications.
Who Is Most at Risk
Medical research and lawsuit filings have consistently identified the same high-risk groups:
| Risk Group | Why They’re Vulnerable |
|---|---|
| People with heart conditions | Existing cardiac issues are amplified by stimulant effects |
| People with heart arrhythmias | Forceful contractions can trigger dangerous rhythm problems |
| Those with high blood pressure | Caffeine and taurine further elevate blood pressure |
| People with diabetes | High sugar content creates additional metabolic stress |
| People with seizure disorders | Caffeine lowers seizure threshold in susceptible individuals |
| Children and teenagers | Caffeine poisoning occurs at far lower doses than in adults |
| People on ADHD medications | Stimulants compound the cardiovascular load |
| People who mix Red Bull with alcohol | Caffeine masks intoxication, dramatically increases binge drinking risk |
| Athletes during high-intensity exercise | Cardiovascular system already under extreme stress |
Red Bull’s marketing targets young adults, athletes, and students — the very populations who are also most likely to consume multiple cans in a short period, to exercise immediately after drinking, or to mix the drink with alcohol. None of these behaviors carry warnings on the can.
What Red Bull Failed to Do — The Legal Argument
Personal injury cases against Red Bull aren’t just about the drink being dangerous. They’re built on a product liability framework — specifically, the legal theory of failure to warn. Here’s what that means and why it matters to your case.
The Three Core Legal Claims
1. Failure to Warn Red Bull knew, or should have known, about the cardiovascular risks associated with its drink — especially for vulnerable populations. Despite FDA adverse event reports, multiple deaths, and published scientific research, Red Bull did not place adequate warning labels on its products. People who drank Red Bull had no way to make an informed decision about those risks.
2. Defective Product (Design Defect) Some lawsuits argue that the combination of ingredients in Red Bull creates a product that is unreasonably dangerous — not because of a manufacturing error, but because the formula itself poses risks that outweigh its benefits, particularly when consumed in the way Red Bull’s own marketing encourages.
3. Negligent Marketing Red Bull has spent decades marketing its product as safe, performance-enhancing, and broadly beneficial. It has specifically targeted young people, athletes, and students. This aggressive marketing, combined with a lack of warnings, forms the basis for claims that Red Bull was negligent in how it sold the product.
Red Bull’s Pattern of Settling
One thing stands out in Red Bull’s legal history: the company almost always settles rather than going to trial. Both the Terry family ($85 million claim) and the Wade family ($35 million claim) appear to have reached undisclosed settlements. Red Bull’s pattern of settling — while publicly denying wrongdoing — reflects a calculated legal strategy.
The science is not fully on Red Bull’s side. Multiple peer-reviewed studies have linked energy drink consumption to cardiovascular changes. Red Bull markets heavily to children and young adults. And the company cannot claim it warned anyone about these risks — because it didn’t. The Phoenix ED Device Lawsuit
Do You Have a Case? Eligibility for a Red Bull Injury Claim
Unlike the closed false advertising class action — which you could join simply by buying a can — personal injury claims require that you actually suffered a documented injury.
Who May Qualify
You may have a valid Red Bull injury claim if any of the following happened to you or a family member after consuming Red Bull:
| Injury Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Heart attack | Myocardial infarction following Red Bull consumption |
| Cardiac arrest | Sudden loss of heart function |
| Aortic dissection | Tearing of the aortic wall |
| Stroke | Ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke |
| Severe cardiac arrhythmia | Abnormal heart rhythm requiring hospitalization |
| Caffeine toxicity / poisoning | Overdose requiring emergency medical treatment |
| Wrongful death | Death of a family member following Red Bull consumption |
What Strengthens Your Claim
Some circumstances make a personal injury case significantly stronger:
- Red Bull was consumed shortly before the medical event (hours, not days)
- You had no prior history of the specific condition
- Your doctor or an emergency room linked the event to energy drink consumption
- You were in a high-risk group (heart condition, medication use, etc.)
- You consumed multiple cans in a short period
- You were a minor at the time
What Documentation You’ll Need
| Document | Why It Matters | How to Get It |
|---|---|---|
| Medical records | Documents the injury and its timeline | Request from your hospital or doctor |
| Emergency room reports | Shows what symptoms were reported and when | Request from the hospital |
| Doctor’s notes | Any physician connection of the event to Red Bull | Ask your treating physician |
| Product purchase records | Shows you were consuming Red Bull | Bank/credit card records, receipts |
| Witness accounts | Confirms the circumstances of the event | Written statements from those present |
| Autopsy report (wrongful death) | Shows cause of death | Coroner’s office or medical examiner |
You don’t need every one of these to start a case — your attorney will help you gather what’s needed. But the more documentation you have, the stronger your claim.
How Much Is a Red Bull Injury Case Worth?
Personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits are individual claims — unlike class actions, there’s no standard payout table. Compensation depends on the severity of your injury, the impact on your life, and what your legal team can prove. That said, past Red Bull lawsuits have sought enormous sums:
- The Terry family sought $85 million (settled for an undisclosed amount)
- The Wade family sought $35 million (settled for an undisclosed amount)
Virtually all settlements in these cases come with nondisclosure agreements, so exact figures aren’t public. But the fact that Red Bull chose to settle both cases — rather than risk a trial — tells you something about the legal exposure the company faces.
Categories of Compensation in a Red Bull Injury Case
| Compensation Type | What It Covers |
|---|---|
| Medical expenses | Emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, ongoing treatment, rehabilitation |
| Lost wages | Income lost while recovering from injury |
| Future lost earnings | Reduced earning capacity from permanent injury or disability |
| Pain and suffering | Physical pain and emotional trauma from the injury |
| Loss of consortium | Impact on your marriage or family relationships |
| Wrongful death damages | Funeral costs, loss of financial support, loss of companionship |
| Punitive damages | Additional damages meant to punish particularly reckless conduct |
In wrongful death cases, surviving family members — typically a spouse, children, or parents — are the ones who file and receive compensation. What you can recover, and who can file, depends on your state’s laws.
How to File a Red Bull Injury Lawsuit — Step by Step
Filing a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit against Red Bull is not something you do alone. These are complex product liability cases. Here’s what the process looks like:
Step 1: Seek Medical Attention Immediately (If You Haven’t Already)
If you experienced a cardiac event, stroke, or other serious health problem after consuming Red Bull, get emergency care first. Your medical records start the clock on documenting your injury. Every detail from that emergency room visit becomes evidence.
Step 2: Document Everything You Can
Write down everything while it’s fresh: the date you consumed Red Bull, how many cans, when symptoms started, what happened, who was there, and what doctors said. Save any cans if possible. Preserve receipts or purchase records.
Step 3: Contact a Personal Injury Attorney
This is the most important step. Look for attorneys who specifically handle product liability or energy drink injury cases. Most work on contingency — meaning no upfront fees, and they only collect if they win your case.
During the free consultation, your attorney will assess:
- The strength of your evidence
- The connection between your injury and Red Bull consumption
- The applicable statute of limitations in your state
- The likely value of your claim
Step 4: Let Your Attorney Handle the Investigation
Once you hire an attorney, they take over. They’ll request your medical records, hire expert witnesses (cardiologists, toxicologists), research Red Bull’s internal documentation, and build your case file.
Step 5: Demand and Negotiation
Your attorney will file a formal legal complaint and open negotiations with Red Bull’s legal team. Given the company’s history of settling, many cases resolve at this stage.
Step 6: Settlement or Trial
If Red Bull makes a fair offer, you can accept it. If not, your case goes to trial. Your attorney will advise you on which path is right for your situation.
Critical Deadlines: Statutes of Limitations
Unlike the old class action with a specific filing deadline, personal injury claims are governed by your state’s statute of limitations. This is a hard legal deadline — miss it and you lose your right to sue, no matter how strong your case is.
| State Group | General Time Limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Most U.S. states | 2 years from date of injury | Clock starts when you were hurt or diagnosed |
| Some states | 3 years from date of injury | Varies by state law |
| Wrongful death claims | 2–3 years from date of death | Some states start from “discovery” of cause |
| Minors | Clock may not start until age 18 | Consult an attorney for your specific state |
The discovery rule: In some states, the clock doesn’t start until you knew (or reasonably should have known) that your injury was linked to Red Bull. This can extend your window — but you need an attorney to evaluate it.
If you’re unsure whether your deadline has passed, contact an attorney anyway. There may be legal arguments that preserve your claim even if you think the window has closed.
Red Bull vs. Other Energy Drink Lawsuits
Red Bull isn’t alone in facing this litigation. The entire energy drink industry has seen a wave of personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits over the past decade. National Life Group Lawsuit
Energy Drink Injury Lawsuit Comparison
| Company | Notable Cases | Settlement Amounts | Common Claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Bull | Terry (2013), Wade (2016) | Undisclosed | Heart attack, aortic dissection, failure to warn |
| Monster Energy | Fournier (2012), Morris (2013) | Undisclosed | Cardiac arrest, wrongful death, failure to warn |
| Panera Charged Lemonade | Two deaths (2023–2024) | Active lawsuits | Caffeine content misrepresentation, cardiac event |
| Prime Hydration | Class action (2024) | Pending | False caffeine labeling, consumer deception |
| 5-Hour Energy | Multiple injury cases | Undisclosed | Adverse health events, failure to warn |
| Rockstar Energy | Multiple cases | Undisclosed | Cardiovascular events, inadequate labeling |
What Makes Red Bull Cases Unique
A few things set Red Bull litigation apart from other energy drink lawsuits:
- Red Bull was among the first energy drinks to face widespread litigation — both for advertising claims and for injury
- The company has a documented pattern of settling injury cases confidentially rather than fighting them in court
- The FDA has specifically received and investigated adverse event reports tied to Red Bull
- Red Bull’s aggressive marketing to youth and athletes makes the failure-to-warn argument especially strong
- Unlike some competitors, Red Bull’s can does not prominently warn against consumption by people with heart conditions
Do You Need a Lawyer to File a Red Bull Injury Claim?
Quick Answer: Yes, for a personal injury or wrongful death case, you absolutely need an attorney. These cases are not like filing a simple insurance claim. They require medical experts, product liability expertise, and the ability to negotiate with a multi-billion dollar company’s legal team.
This is very different from the old class action, where you could file online in minutes without any legal help. A personal injury case against Red Bull is litigation — and you need a qualified attorney to handle it. byte orthodontics company status 2026
The good news: virtually every attorney who handles these cases works on a contingency fee. That means:
- No upfront fees
- No hourly billing
- You pay nothing unless they recover compensation for you
- If they lose, you owe them nothing
What to Look for in an Attorney
- Experience with product liability or defective product cases
- Experience with energy drink or beverage injury lawsuits
- Contingency fee arrangement (no upfront cost)
- Free initial case evaluation
- National reach (Red Bull cases can be filed in federal court)
To get a referral to attorneys currently reviewing Red Bull injury cases, contact: admin@bestlawyersinunitedstates.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still file a Red Bull lawsuit in 2026?
Yes — if you suffered a personal injury (heart attack, stroke, cardiac event, or death) after drinking Red Bull. The old false advertising class action is closed, but personal injury and wrongful death cases are still being reviewed and filed. The key limit is your state’s statute of limitations, typically 2–3 years from the date of injury.
My injury happened years ago. Is it too late?
Maybe not. Some states have a “discovery rule” that starts the clock from when you connected your injury to Red Bull — not when the injury happened. And in cases involving minors, the clock may not start until they turn 18. Talk to an attorney before assuming your window has closed.
What if Red Bull wasn’t the only thing I consumed that day?
That’s a common defense Red Bull raises — but it doesn’t automatically disqualify you. Attorneys and expert witnesses look at the totality of circumstances. If Red Bull was a substantial contributing factor, you may still have a valid claim. Be honest with your attorney about everything you consumed.
Do I need proof of purchase?
Not necessarily. The more documentation you have, the better. But your medical records and the circumstances of your injury can go a long way even without receipts.
How long does a Red Bull injury lawsuit take?
It depends. Some cases settle within months of filing; others take years if they go to trial. Red Bull’s history of settling suggests many cases resolve before trial — but there’s no guaranteed timeline.
What if my family member died and we want to sue?
Wrongful death lawsuits can be filed by surviving family members — typically a spouse, children, or parents, depending on your state’s laws. The Terry and Wade families both pursued this route after their loved ones died following Red Bull consumption. Contact an attorney as soon as possible, as wrongful death statutes of limitations run from the date of death.
Does Red Bull ever pay out these claims?
Based on documented cases, yes — Red Bull settled both the Terry ($85M claim) and Wade ($35M claim) wrongful death lawsuits for undisclosed amounts. The company consistently settles rather than risk going to trial, which attorneys say reflects the legal exposure the company faces.
What does it cost to hire an attorney for this?
Nothing upfront. Personal injury attorneys handling Red Bull cases work on a contingency fee basis. They receive a percentage of your settlement or verdict only if they win. If they don’t win, you owe nothing.
Is this worth pursuing if my injury wasn’t fatal?
Yes. Serious non-fatal injuries — hospitalization for cardiac arrhythmia, a stroke requiring ongoing care, a heart attack with lasting damage — can result in significant compensation for medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering. You don’t need a wrongful death case for a claim to have real value.
What if Red Bull says it’s not their fault?
Red Bull denies wrongdoing in virtually every lawsuit. That’s standard. It’s your attorney’s job to build the evidence that proves otherwise. That’s exactly what contingency-fee attorneys are motivated to do.
My child drank Red Bull and got sick. Can I sue?
Yes. Children are particularly vulnerable to the cardiovascular effects of caffeine and other energy drink ingredients. If your child suffered a serious medical event after drinking Red Bull, speak with an attorney immediately. Cases involving minors often have extended statute of limitations windows.
Can I join a class action against Red Bull for health injuries?
Unlike the closed false advertising case, health injury lawsuits are typically filed as individual claims rather than class actions. Each person’s injuries, circumstances, and damages are different enough that individual cases tend to be more appropriate — and can result in far higher compensation tailored to your specific losses.
What if I signed something at the hospital that limits my rights?
Standard hospital intake paperwork does not typically limit your right to sue a third party like Red Bull. Talk to an attorney — do not assume you’ve signed away your rights.
How do I know if my heart attack was really caused by Red Bull?
You don’t have to prove it definitively yourself — that’s what medical experts are for. Attorneys working on these cases bring in cardiologists and toxicologists who can evaluate the timeline, your medical history, the ingredients consumed, and the scientific literature to establish causation. If the connection is plausible, it’s worth having an attorney evaluate it.
Where can I find more information about product liability and failure to warn claims?
Understanding how product liability law works can help you understand what needs to be proven in your case. Consumer protection law gives you important rights when companies fail to disclose known risks — knowing those rights is the first step.
What to Do Right Now If You Were Injured
Time is the biggest enemy in a personal injury case. Statutes of limitations are real, hard deadlines. Evidence gets harder to preserve. Memories fade. Medical records become harder to obtain.
If you or a family member suffered a serious health event after drinking Red Bull, here’s exactly what to do:
Do this today:
- Write down everything you remember — dates, amounts consumed, symptoms, what happened, who was there
- Request copies of your medical records and emergency room reports
- Save any proof of Red Bull purchase you can find
- Contact a personal injury attorney for a free consultation
Contact: admin@bestlawyersinunitedstates.com for a referral to attorneys currently reviewing Red Bull injury cases in all 50 states. There’s no cost, no obligation, and no upfront fees if you decide to move forward. money metals exchange lawsuit
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws vary by state, and the facts of every case are different. Contact a licensed attorney in your state for advice specific to your situation.
