Family of Man Who Died After Drinking Red Bull Files Wrongful Death Lawsuit

The family of a New York man who died after consuming Red Bull has filed a wrongful death lawsuit for $85 million.

Brooklyn construction worker Cory Terry, who was 33 at the time of his death, died in 2011 after playing basketball in a gym at Stephen Decatur Middle School. Reports say that after playing the game for 45 minutes, Terry drank a Red Bull, became light-headed, and collapsed.

The cause of death was idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy, meaning that his heart stopped.

According to his grandmother Patricia terry, Cory was healthy, active, and a nonsmoker. There are many causes of dilated cardiomyopathy, according to healthcare professionals, but Terry did not have any genetic, age-related, or addiction problems. However, he was an avid fan of Red Bull.

“He drank that stuff all the time. He said it perked him up,” Patricia said.

Mrs. Terry’s wrongful death lawsuit is believed to be the first against the energy drink giant. However, the FDA has received numerous complaints about problems resulting from Red Bull consumption, including 21 reports between 2004 and 2012 from doctors and hospitals that believe Red Bull was the cause of dizziness, chest pain, and fatigue, among other symptoms. A federal study in 2009 suggested that as many as 13,000 emergency room visits were associated with Red Bull consumption, and the FDA has confirmed that 18 deaths were in fact linked to drinking the energy drink.

Ilya Novofastovsky, the lawyer in Terry’s suit, claims Red Bull has “extra stimulants that make it different than a cup of coffee … They are more dangerous than what Red Bull lets on.”

A spokesperson from the company reported that Red Bull is sold in 165 countries, and some 35 billion cans have been sold in the last 25 years. “[H]ealth authorities across the world have concluded that Red Bull Energy Drink is safe to consume,” the spokesperson said.

Dr. Daniel Fabricant, director of the Division of Dietary Supplement Programs at the FDA, said the agency was still researching the effects of caffeinated drinks. “If we find that something is dangerous to consumers, we’ll certainly take action,” he said.

Patricia Terry also claimed the city as a defendant in the wrongful death lawsuit, because there was not a defibrillator on site at the gym, and it took 40 minutes for an ambulance to arrive.

Wrongful Death Lawsuits in South Carolina

The unexpected loss of a loved is a very painful experience.  While mourning their loss, surviving family members are often with mounting medical bills, the loss of an income, and sudden expenses such as hospital bills and funeral costs.

If a loved one dies as a result of the negligence, reckless, or intentional conduct of another, you may be entitled to bring a claim for wrongful death. A wrongful death lawsuit asserts a claim against a person who can be held legally responsible for a death.  Surviving family members may be entitled to damages; money that can help with the expenses caused by the loss of their loved one.

Depending upon the circumstances, our South Carolina wrongful death attorneys may also assert a claim for punitive damages intended to punish the wrongdoer  and deter others from engaging in such behavior.

The Strom Law Firm Can Help with Wrongful Death Lawsuits

The wrongful death lawyers at the Strom Law Firm, LLC, will help you during this extremely difficult and emotional time. You do not have to face the emotional and financial pain of a loved one’s wrongful death alone. If you or a loved one has been injured or killed through no fault of your own, contact the South Carolina wrongful death attorneys at the Strom Law Firm, LLC today for a free, no-cost consultation today. 803.252.4800