A settlement has been made between Panera Bread and the Katz Family regarding the death of their 21-year-old daughter, Sarah Katz.
Sarah Katz, a University of Pennsylvania student, lived with a heart condition called long QT syndrome type 1. In September 2022, Katz had bought a Charged Lemonade from Panera Bread and went into cardiac arrest hours later.
The drink comes in at a whopping 390 milligrams of caffeine per 30oz serving size.
Although Katz had been told by medical professionals to avoid all caffeinated drinks, the prosecution claims that the lemonade was “offered side-by-side with all of Panera’s non-caffeinated and/or less caffeinated drinks”, and was advertised as “plant-based and clean.”
In total, Panera has faced four lawsuits over their since-discontinued beverage, filed on behalf of Katz’s parents. According to two lawsuits, Charged Lemonade caused permanent heart injuries in previously healthy people, while another lawsuit blamed Panera for a Florida man’s death.
Elizabeth Crawford, a partner at Kline & Specter, represents each plaintiff in all four lawsuits, and has reported that “the matter has resolved,” but is unable to provide any other information regarding the case.
Although Panera Bread has not immediately chosen to comment on the development, the company has stated they are “very saddened to learn about the tragic passing” of Sarah Katz, and that they are seeking to “thoroughly investigate this matter.” Panera claims to have taken the Charged Lemonade off of the menu in May 2023 due to a “recent menu transformation.”
As of this month, the Sarah Katz case was scheduled for trial.