Panera Bread: 'Oh, You Wanted Lemonade, Not a Heart Attack? Our Bad.'

Well, well, well, looks like Panera Bread has finally managed to settle one of those pesky wrongful death lawsuits that have been piling up like dirty dishes in a college dorm. The law firm representing the family of some poor sap who kicked the bucket after drinking their "Charged Lemonade" confirmed the settlement to USA TODAY on Monday.

Elizabeth Crawford, a partner at Kline & Specter, PC—because who doesn't love a good ambulance chaser—confirmed the settlement but wouldn't spill the beans on the details. typical lawyer BS, am I right? She did mention that there are other cases pending, so Panera's wallet is probably going to take a beating worse than a misogynist's ego at a feminist rally.

This settlement, first reported by NBC News—because if it's not breaking news, it's not worth reporting—is just the tip of the iceberg. The family of Sarah Katz, a 21-year-old Ivy League student with a heart condition who croaked after downing one of these death traps, was the first to sue.

Other lawsuits claim the lemonade—which packed a whopping 390 mg of caffeine in a large—also offed Dennis Brown, 46, of Fleming Island, Florida, and allegedly left 28-year-old Lauren Skerritt of Rhode Island "permanently" injured. Because nothing says "refreshment" like a heart attack in a cup.

Panera, in their infinite wisdom, initially slapped a warning label on the drinks but eventually yanked them from stores nationwide, citing a "menu transformation.” Yeah, because "We don't want to kill our customers" just doesn't have the same ring to it.

Panera Bread didn't immediately respond to a request for comment Monday morning. Shocking, I know.

What happened to Sarah Katz

So, on Sept. 10, 2022, Sarah Katz, a 21-year-old student at the University of Pennsylvania, drank a Charged Lemonade at a local Panera Bread. Diagnosed with QT syndrome type 1 at a young age, she avoided energy drinks like the plague.

Her family thinks she saw the "charged" in "Charged Lemonade" and thought it meant electrolytes, like Gatorade. Because who wouldn't want a jolt of electricity with their lunch, right? She filled up using her Unlimited Sip Club membership—because why stop at one heart attack when you can have unlimited refills?

Hours later, she collapsed and went into cardiac arrest. She was rushed to the hospital where she kicked the bucket for good.

Panera's pathetic response at the time? "We were very saddened to learn this morning about the tragic passing of Sarah Katz, and our hearts go out to her family. At Panera, we strongly believe in transparency around our ingredients. We will work quickly to thoroughly investigate this matter.” Yeah, because "transparency" is exactly what you were going for with that caffeine bomb.

The lawsuit

Sarah Katz's family filed a lawsuit against Panera Bread in the court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County for wrongful death on Oct. 23, 2023.

The lawsuit claimed Katz went into cardiac arrest as a direct result of consuming a Charged Lemonade drink. Apparently, a large Charged Lemonade has more caffeine than a Monster or Red Bull but was advertised as a "clean" drink with the same amount of caffeine "as a dark roast coffee." Because nothing says "clean" like a drink that can stop your heart.

Katz drank the beverage "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 said. Well, that's what you get for trusting a corporation, stupid.

Panera later tried to have the case dismissed, but a judge rejected the request. Shocking, I know.