A college student didn’t think much about it when she ordered a lemonade from Panera Bread, but less than 24 hours later, she was dead. Her family says the drink, and Panera’s failure to properly label it, caused their daughter’s death.

Now they are suing the company for wrongful death. Can the family prove a lemonade killed their daughter?

An Ordinary Day Leads to a Tragic Death

September 10, 2022, was a fairly normal day for 21-year-old college student Sarah Katz. Katz was a student at the University of Pennsylvania and had recently purchased an Unlimited Sip Club membership from Panera Bread, which allows customers to pay a monthly fee for unlimited drinks.

Katz went to Panera to fill up a drink and chose a “Charged Lemonade.”

A few hours later, Katz collapsed while out at a restaurant with friends. Katz was rushed to the hospital where she went into cardiac arrest and died, according to NBC News.

The college student’s cause of death was determined to be cardiac arrhythmia due to long QT syndrome.

A Lifelong Avoidance of Energy Drinks

Katz and her family knew her heart didn’t function like other people’s hearts. At the age of five, Katz was diagnosed with the heart condition Long QT Type 1 Syndrome. “Long QT Syndrome (LQTS) is a rare disorder of the heart’s electrical system that can lead to dangerous heart rhythms, fainting, and sudden cardiac arrest,” says Stanford Medicine.

Katz took daily medication and made lifestyle choices to manage her disorder. She was aware that consuming drinks with high caffeine-levels was not good for her condition, and she avoided energy drinks. Katz’s family said she would not have ordered a Charged Lemonade if she knew it was an energy drink.

A wrongful death lawsuit filed by her family says Katz would have assumed caffeine was in the drink, but that she would have been unable to discern how much caffeine was actually in the drink. The suit says she would have been “reasonably confident it was a traditional lemonade and/or electrolyte sports drink containing a reasonable amount of caffeine safe for her to drink.”

The lawsuit says the caffeine level in Panera’s Charged Lemonade is actually more than a 12 oz. Red Bull and a 16 oz. Monster Energy Drink combined and that combination of caffeine is what killed their daughter.

Related:Examples of Wrongful Death Cases Worth Fighting For

Filing a Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against Panera

The failure to properly label the lemonade as an energy drink is at the heart of the wrongful death lawsuit the family filed in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas.

The lawsuit alleges that Panera, “did not market, advertise, and sell Panera Charged Lemonade in the store as an ‘energy drink,’ which is a drink containing large amounts of caffeine, added sugar, other additives, and stimulants, such as guarana and/or taurine and/or L-carnitine (‘stimulants’).”

The Panera website described the drink as “the ultimate energy drink guaranteed to charge up your day” although the in-store signage was less clear.

Katz’s family says their daughter could not have known about the high levels of caffeine in the drink, according to Fox News 13. They are seeking “compensatory damages, punitive damages, interest, costs of suit, and such other relief as this Honorable Court may deem appropriate and just.”

Related: How Do You Sue for Wrongful Death? 

What Does It Take to Win a Wrongful Death Case?

To prove fault in the wrongful death case, Katz’s family will need to show that Panera was aware of an unsafe condition but failed to act and that their inaction directly led to Katz’s death.

The lawsuit alleges that Panera knew the drink “could injure children, pregnant and breastfeeding women, and people sensitive to caffeine – including those with underlying heart problems – by causing catastrophic injuries and/or death” but failed to properly warn customers.

Since Katz’s death, Panera has changed some of the labeling on the drink. According to USA Today, Panera has added language to their website that says, “Use in moderation. NOT RECOMMENDED FOR children, people sensitive to caffeine, pregnant or nursing women.” It is unclear if the signage around the drink in stores has changed.

Related: A Mac and Cheese Lawsuit and 400+ Other Food Lawsuits Filed by a NY Attorney

Get Justice for Yourself or a Loved One

Companies have a reasonable responsibility to inform customers about the potential dangers of their products and services. If you or a loved one have been injured due to the failure of a company to properly warn consumers, talk to a wrongful death attorney or personal injury attorney right away.

An experienced attorney can help you get justice for you or your loved one and hold the responsible parties accountable. If you have a case to discuss, request a free consultation with TJ Grimaldi. Call 813-226-1023 or contact our office today.

In 2020, Henry Ruggs III was looking ahead to a dazzling career in the NFL. Drafted by the Las Vegas Raider, Ruggs had a multimillion-dollar contract in hand. But it all disappeared one night in 2021 when Ruggs got behind the wheel while drunk and killed a woman and her dog.

Ruggs now faces consequences for his actions.

A Bad Decision Leads to a Loss of Life

Henry Ruggs III was selected as the 12th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft by the Las Vegas Raiders. With a contract worth $16.67 million and a successful first year as a wide receiver, Ruggs was looking toward a bright future. Then, everything changed when Ruggs got behind the wheel of his Chevrolet Corvette on November 2, 2021.

Ruggs had spent several hours drinking with friends at a sports entertainment site and golfing venue before he and his girlfriend attempted to drive home.

According to airbag computer records in Ruggs’ vehicle, his car reached a speed of 156 mph before slowing to 127 mph and crashing into a Toyota Rav 4.

The impact caused the Rav 4 to burst into flames, killing the woman, Tina Tintor, and her dog inside. Ruggs and his girlfriend, Je’nai Kilgo-Washington, were also injured with non-life-threatening injuries and taken to a nearby hospital.

At the hospital, Ruggs’ blood alcohol level was taken. It was .161, more than double the legal limit.

Related: Arrested for a DUI in Florida? Here’s What to Do Next 

Ruggs Faced More Than 40 Years in Prison

Ruggs was charged with a total of five crimes.

He faced two felonies related to the death of Tintor: DUI resulting in death and reckless driving resulting in death. He also faced two charges related to the injuries sustained by his girlfriend who was in the car with him. The charges were also felonies: DUI resulting in substantial bodily harm and reckless driving resulting in substantial bodily harm.

Ruggs also faced a misdemeanor charge. He had a loaded firearm in the vehicle which led him to be charged with unlawful gun possession.

Under Nevada law, the potential consequences for the charges left Ruggs facing more than 40 years in prison. Now almost two years after the accident, Ruggs is about to start his jail time, which is much less than 40 years.

Related: What to Expect From a First Offense DUI

A Plea Deal Cuts Ruggs’ Jail Time

Ruggs and the prosecutors came to a plea deal that prevented the case from going to trial. Reportedly, both sides had something to gain from the deal.

Prosecutors were worried that they may not be able to use Ruggs’ blood drawings that showed his intoxication levels at trial. Defense attorneys argued that Ruggs’ blood-alcohol test was improperly obtained at the hospital, which meant courts could have suppressed the results of the blood test. Since no field sobriety test was conducted, there would be no additional evidence that Ruggs was intoxicated at the time of the crash.

The defense team sought a plea deal because it could guarantee a lighter sentence for Ruggs. Rather than face up to forty years in prison, Ruggs will now face three to ten years.

Ruggs pleaded guilty to a felony charge of driving under the influence of alcohol causing death and to a misdemeanor charge for vehicular manslaughter, according to the Associated Press.

Other charges in the case were dropped as part of the plea deal, including the charges related to the injuries sustained by his girlfriend and to the misdemeanor gun charge.

Related: What To Do About a DUI License Suspension in Florida

How Much Time Will Ruggs Actually Serve?

Ruggs was sentenced to a minimum of three years in prison.

After the accident, Ruggs posted a $150,000 bail for his release and has been on house arrest pending the results of the case. He spent a year and a half on house arrest and cannot convert the time spent on house arrest to time served, per the Associated Press.

After three years, Ruggs will be eligible for parole.

Related: How Long Does a DUI Stay on Your Record?

Talk to an Experienced DUI Attorney

Driving under the influence is a serious crime, and the repercussions of a DUI accident can change lives forever. If you have been charged with a DUI, whether it involves someone being injured or not, talk to a DUI attorney right away.

Get an expert attorney by your side who can guide you through the lengthy legal process and protect your rights. If you have been charged with a DUI, request your free consultation with TJ Grimaldi today. Request your consultation or call 813-226-1023 today.

Two years ago, Travis Rudolph went from being a lead receiver at Florida State University to being charged with murder. His case finally came to an end on June 8, 2023 when Rudolph was found not guilty on all charges.

What led to the charges against Rudolph and how did the jury come to a not guilty verdict?

What Led to Charges Against Rudolph?

Travis Rudolph’s life changed on April 6, 2021. That night, Rudolph and his girlfriend got into an argument at Rudolph’s Florida home. Reports by the Tampa Bay Times indicate that both parties said the fight got physical before Rudolph’s girlfriend left the scene.

Shortly after she left, Rudolph’s girlfriend reportedly began contacting people about what happened. She told Rudolph’s sister that she was going to send someone to kill Rudolph and texted another friend to “shoot his s–t up.”

Around midnight, Rudolph’s four men showed up to Rudolph’s house, one who Rudolph said he believed was in a gang. Each party has different versions of what happened next. Rudolph claimed that one of the men pointed a firearm at him, at which time, Rudolph says he went inside to get his gun.

Investigators say Rudolph shot 39 rounds at the men as they attempted to flee in a black Cadillac. He shot two men, injuring one and killing another.

Rudolph was arrested and charged with one charge of first-degree murder with a firearm and three charges of attempted first-degree murder with a firearm.

Related: If You’re Arrested for a Crime, Immediately Take These 6 Steps

Making a Case for “Stand Your Ground”

This blog covered the story in September 2021 as Rudolph began to make the case that the shooting was in self-defense.

Rudolph’s attorney, Marc Shiner, invoked “stand your ground” laws as Rudolph’s legal defense.

In Florida, stand your ground laws come from Florida Statute Sections 776.012 and 776.013. The laws indicate that someone can use deadly force to protect themself if they feel their life is at stake and that individuals do not have to retreat before using deadly force.

Statute 776.012 says, “A person is justified in using or threatening to use deadly force if he or she reasonably believes that using or threatening to use such force is necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm to himself or herself or another or to prevent the imminent commission of a forcible felony.”

Rudolph’s team petitioned Circuit Judge Jeffrey Gillen to dismiss the case on the basis of stand your ground laws. The request was denied, and the judge ordered the case to go to trial, per reporting by the Palm Beach Post.

Related: The Best Criminal Defense Attorneys Have These 7 Qualities

Jury Finds Rudolph Not Guilty

As Rudolph’s case made its way through the court system, he spent one year behind bars in Palm Beach County and another year under house arrest, according to court reports reviewed by CNN.

Rudolph’s case was finally heard in front of a jury starting on May 31, 2023. The trial lasted eight days and included testimony from Rudolph and his mother, who was in the house at the time of the altercation and subsequent shooting.

Rudolph insisted that he feared for his life when he opened fire. “I’m not guilty,” he said. “Because I was saving my and my brother’s life.”

Video evidence that captured some of the scene in front of Rudoph’s door was also shown to the jury. Prosecutors said the video didn’t show the level of danger described by Rudolph.

In the end, the jury made their decision.

They believed Rudolph’s case of self-defense and found him not guilty of one count of first-degree premeditated murder and three counts of attempted first-degree murder.

Related: 6 Signs You Need a New Attorney

Don’t Approach a Criminal Defense on Your Own

Facing criminal charges is a serious matter. If you have been charged with a crime, make sure you talk to an experienced criminal defense attorney right away.

Explore your options, develop the best defense, and ensure that your rights are protected through each step of the legal process. If you have questions about an upcoming case, talk to TJ Grimaldi today. All consultations are free. Contact our team today. Schedule or call 813-226-1023 now.

Three days after a jury found Tampa rapper Billy Bennett Adams III not guilty on a double-murder charge, a woman connected to him was murdered in her driveway.

After changing his story multiple times, Adams now says he committed the murder in self-defense. Will Adams be able to successfully claim self-defense in another murder charge?

Adams Claim Self-Defense & Acquitted on Two Counts of First-Degree Murder

On November 19, 2020, Tampa rapper Billy Bennett Adams III, known as Ace NH, was at a music studio in Lutz, Florida. With him in the small studio was the owner, Joseph Meeks and two other men who were there for a recording session. Two of the men wouldn’t make it out of the studio alive.

Adams admits to killing Trevon Albury and Daniel Thompson. He said he did it in self-defense.

Adams was charged with two counts of first-degree murder. During the trial, he took the stand and calmly explained what he believed happened that night, as reported by the Tampa Bay Times.

Adams said he could hear Albury and Thompson talking to each other about how they were going to rob Meeks. Adams said Albury pulled out a gun and pointed it at the back of Meeks’ head. Adams said he then pulled out his gun and shot Albury once in the back of the head. Thompson reached for Adams’ gun so he fired two shots and killed him.

Adam told a compelling story of self-defense on the stand of his trial — and the jury believed him.

On January 27, 2023, a jury found Adams not guilty. The jury believed Adams killed the two men in self-defense.

Just three days later, another person close to Adams was found dead.

Related: Get Good Legal Representation by Asking This One Question

Adams Lies About Whereabouts on the Night of Another Murder

Alana Sims, a 22-year-old pregnant mother, was found dead lying next to her SUV in her driveway on January 30, 2023. She had been shot in the head. Her toddler was asleep and unharmed in the vehicle next to her.

An unidentified witness said Sims was planning to attend a party the night of her murder. She was invited to celebrate her boyfriend’s recent acquittal on murder charges. The alleged boyfriend was Adams.

In initial questioning, Adams told police he knew Sims but didn’t know she was dead. He claimed he hadn’t seen or spoken to her in weeks. He also said he had been home the night of January 30.

But footage from Sims’ subdivisions proved otherwise.

According to reporting by the Tampa Bay Times, surveillance videos from Sims’ subdivision show a black Chevrolet Malibu, with a license tag registered to Adams’ father, entering the subdivision at 7:22 p.m. on January 30. Footage shows Sims’ vehicle entering the subdivision at 7:36 p.m. and Adams’ vehicle leaving at 8:21 p.m.

Footage from Adams’ gated community shows the same vehicle leaving at 7:10 p.m. and returning at 8:32 p.m. Upon searching the Chevrolet Malibu, police found two live 9mm bullets.

Related: If You’re Arrested for a Crime, Immediately Take These 6 Steps

Adams Changes His Story

After being confronted with the evidence, Adams changed his story.

He said he’d been out with friends the night of Sims’ murder and showed police a video he said he had taken that night.

Later, police would determine that the video had been recorded at a different time and day.

They would also find text messages that show Adams talking to another woman about his disappointment over Sims’ pregnancy. Texts said, “Tomorrow dis s— done” and “I meant wat I said. We finna have OUR life. … And it don’t include ha a–.”

Adams was arrested and charged with first-degree murder charge and with killing an unborn child by injury to the mother.

Adams Changes His Story Again & Claims Self-Defense Again

Once in police custody, Adams changed his story again.

According to reporting by the Tampa Bay Times, Adams again claimed self-defense.

Adams now says he met Sims at her home at which time she pulled a gun on him. He said he wrestled the gun away from her and shot her. He said he then drove home and threw the gun away. Adams also admitted he knew Sims was pregnant and that he may be the father.

There are laws in Florida that protect people who use deadly force when they feel their life is threatened.

Often referred to as Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” law, Florida Statute 782.02 says, “The use of deadly force is justifiable when a person is resisting any attempt to murder such person or to commit any felony upon him or her or upon or in any dwelling house in which such person shall be.”

If Adams goes to trial, he will again attempt to convince another jury that he committed murder in the act of self-defense.

Get Expert Legal Advice

If you have questions about a legal matter, talk to an experienced attorney right away. Every person deserves fair due process of the law. Talk to an experienced criminal defense attorney about your case to make sure you get a fair and just outcome. Request your consultation or call 813-226-1023 to schedule a call with TJ Grimaldi today.

When Kim Kardashian and Kayne West announced their split, many speculated what the terms of their divorce might look like. Now, we know. Here are the terms of the divorce that include West paying $200,000 per month in child support.

A Brief History of Kardashian and West’s Relationship

In 2012, Kim Kardashian and Kayne West announced they were dating. The two had known each other since the early 2000s but officially started dating in April 2012. A little more than a year later, the couple welcomed their first child. The couple was then married in 2014 and welcomed three more children over the next five years.

Throughout the years, the couple had public rough patches that often put them in the news. The public incidents peaked in 2020 when West announced he was running for president of the United States.

In February 2021, Kardashian officially filed for divorce from West.

It had been previously reported that Kardashian and West had a prenuptial agreement. According to reports, the prenup outlined how the couple’s assets would be divided, but it didn’t include guidelines for child custody, child support, and spousal support.

Recently, those details were reported after the couple finalized their divorce.

Related: The Legal Case Behind Kim Kardashian and Kanye West’s Divorce   

The Details of Child Custody

According to details of the divorce settlement, Kardashian and West will share joint custody of their four children: North, 9; Saint, 6; Chicago, 4; and Psalm, 3.

Joint custody provides both parents legal custody, physical custody, or both. Legal custody grants a parent the right to make decisions about how the child will be raised and cared for. Physical custody grants a parent the right to have the child live with them.

While the settlement said each parent has “equal access,” it’s likely that Kardashian will live with the children a majority of the time. West has made comments stating that Kardashian is with the kids roughly 80% of the time.

Related: 5 Types of Child Custody and What They Mean for Your Family   

The Details of Child Support

The divorce settlement also stated that Kardashian will receive $200,000 a month from West for child support. West will also pay 50% of the children’s educational and security expenses.

In divorce cases that involve children, child support payments can be determined by the family, through mediation, or by a judge. It appears that West and Kardashian came to the agreement together. The settlement also included directions for what happens if either party has a dispute with the agreement in the future.

The settlement says if the couple has a dispute over their agreement, they must attend mediation. If either party fails to show up to mediation, the participating party becomes the decision-maker.

Related: 6 Ways to Prepare for Divorce Mediation

The Details of Spousal Support

Per the divorce settlement, neither West nor Kardashian will receive spousal support.

It was previously reported that both West and Kardashian requested a termination of the court’s ability to award spousal support back in April 2021. The recent settlement confirmed that the couple waived spousal support.

Related: 9 Questions to Ask a Divorce Attorney Before Hiring Them 

The Details of Property Division

Kardashian and West had already come to an agreement on how to split their property per a prenuptial agreement. It was reported that their prenup stated:

• Kardashian and West would each keep the individual assets they had when they entered the marriage
• Kardashian and West would both keep the individual assets they acquired during their marriage
• Kardashian would receive $1 million for each year she was married to West (capped at $10 million)
• Their primary residence would be in Kardashian’s name
• Kardashian would keep all of the jewelry and gifts given to her by West

Since the details of property division were already outlined, the couple only needed to resolve their family matters for the divorce to be finalized. Now, it appears that all details of their divorce are settled.

Related: What Happens After Divorce Papers Are Served?

How to Navigate a Complex Divorce

Divorce can be complicated. Between splitting up assets and coming to agreements on child support, child custody, and spousal support, a couple has a lot to think about.

If you’re going through a divorce, make sure you have a divorce attorney by your side who can help you consider all of your options and come out with the best possible outcome for everyone involved.

If you’d like to discuss your marital split, talk to TJ Grimaldi. TJ is an experienced family law attorney who can help you terminate your divorce while also setting up agreements for splitting up assets and creating arrangements for your family. Schedule your consultation or call 813-226-1023 today.