The heartbroken family of a promising Texas cheerleader is suing a popular energy drink company, claiming the seemingly healthy teen collapsed and died after consuming the beverage they allege was dangerously unsafe.
Energy drink distributor Alani Nu was named in a wrongful death lawsuit filed Wednesday by attorneys on behalf of the Rodriguez family, who lost their 17-year-old daughter, Larissa, in October.
Larissa was a decorated student at Weslaco High School, where she served as Student Council President, co-captained the Varsity Cheer Team, and planned to attend the University of Texas at Austin to pursue a career in law.
The filing cited by the San Antonio Express-News claims that Larissa’s death was due to an enlarged heart caused by prolonged caffeine consumption from Alani beverages.
Lawyers noted that the cheerleader had no prior health issues, her family had no history of cardiac issues, and she did not use drugs or alcohol.
‘She was healthy. She had a bright future,’ an attorney said. ‘And her life was cut short.’
The lawsuit said that Larissa purchased at least one Alani Nu Energy Drink from an H-E-B store shortly before her death, before suffering a fatal cardiac event.
Texas distributor Glazer’s Beer and Beverage were also named in the filing, which, the attorney claims, supplied the drink to H-E-B stores where Larissa purchased the beverage.
Alani Nu was named in a wrongful death lawsuit by attorneys on behalf of the Rodriguez family, who lost their 17-year-old daughter, Larissa. She can be seen holding an Alani energy drink
The lawsuit claims the teen died of an enlarged heart caused by prolonged caffeine consumption from Alani products
Lawyers claim that Alani Nu targeted young women while failing to provide adequate warnings they say might have prevented the teen’s death.
‘We filed this lawsuit here in Idalgo County because this product we’re claiming was designed, marketed, and had inadequate warnings about the serious cardiac risks that this product brings,’ attorney Benny Agosto said on behalf of the late teen’s family.
‘You know, it’s promoted as a better-for-you wellness beverage. And it’s heavily advertising young consumers through social media.’
An Alani Nu energy drink contains 200 milligrams of caffeine, which exceeds the recommended daily limit for adolescents, according to the University of Michigan.
Additionally, the lawsuit claimed that the only warning is in small text on the back of the can.
‘The only cautionary language on the can — “Not recommended for children under 18, those sensitive to caffeine, pregnant or nursing women” — is printed in small, inconspicuous text that is easily overlooked and wholly inadequate to warn consumers of the serious risks of cardiac injury and death,’ noted the filing cited by KTLA5.
Attorneys said that she had no prior health conditions and did not have any history of substance abuse
Larissa was a decorated student at Weslaco High School, where she served as Student Council President, co-captained the Varsity Cheer Team, and planned to attend the University of Texas at Austin to pursue a career in law before she died in October
An Alani Nu energy drink contains milligrams of caffeine, which exceeds the recommended daily limit for adolescents, according to the University of Michigan
Lawyers believe that Larissa’s death is just one of many cases caused by the energy drink.
‘We’ve seen other people, we now start digging through experts and folks in the industry, that there are young people, primarily women, from their teenage years all the way into their early 30s, who are using and drinking and using this product, and they’re getting sick,’ Agosto said.
‘It’s heart problems. It’s liver problems. It’s kidney problems. It’s headaches. It’s all kinds of problems. And none of it is being warned.’
The Rodriguez family is seeking $1million in damages.
According to the Express-News, the case is expected to proceed while lawyers search for further evidence during the court process.
The Daily Mail has reached out to Alani Nu and Glazer’s Beer and Beverage for comment.
