Panera Charged Lemonade Lawsuit: Two Deaths, Four Cases, All Settled
Panera's high-caffeine drink was linked to two deaths and two serious cardiac injuries. All four lawsuits settled confidentially by July 2025.
Last reviewed: April 2026
Editorially Reviewed — Content reviewed for accuracy using published legal research, government data, and verified court records. See our methodology
Reviewed by Leonard Goldberg, Editor · Last updated
What the Lawsuit Alleges
Four personal-injury and wrongful-death lawsuits alleged that Panera's Charged Lemonade — up to 390 mg of caffeine per large cup — caused fatal or near-fatal cardiac events, and that Panera failed to adequately disclose the extreme caffeine content. The cases involved the deaths of Sarah Katz (21) and Dennis Brown (46), plus serious cardiac injuries to Lauren Skerritt and a Pennsylvania teenager, Luke Adams.
Case Details
Katz case: Katz v. Panera Bread, No. 2:23-cv-04135, E.D. Pennsylvania (and Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas), filed October 2023. Brown case: Delaware Superior Court, December 2023. Skerritt and Adams cases: courts not publicly confirmed.
Current Status
Who Is Affected & Can You Join?
These were individual personal-injury and wrongful-death actions, not a class action. There is no class of claimants. Only the four named plaintiffs were parties, and all cases are closed with prejudice. No compensation fund exists for the public.
Is There a Payout?
Case Timeline
- 1
September 2022 — Sarah Katz Dies
Sarah Katz, 21, with Long QT syndrome, drinks a Charged Lemonade and suffers fatal cardiac arrest hours later.
- 2
October 2023 — Dennis Brown Dies; First Suits Filed
Dennis Brown, 46, dies after drinking three Charged Lemonades. The Katz family files in Pennsylvania; the Brown family follows in Delaware. Two more suits follow (Skerritt, Adams).
- 3
Early 2024 — Panera Discontinues the Drink
Under public pressure and media scrutiny, Panera permanently removes Charged Lemonade from its menu nationwide.
- 4
October 2024 — First Settlement
The Sarah Katz wrongful-death case settles days before trial. Terms are confidential and Panera makes no admission of liability.
- 5
July 2025 — Remaining Cases Settled
The Brown, Skerritt and Adams cases are dismissed with prejudice, confirming confidential settlements. All Charged Lemonade litigation is closed.
Scam & Misinformation Warnings
Whenever a brand lawsuit goes viral, scam sites and bad actors follow. Watch for these red flags:
Fake 'Panera Settlement' Sites
This was not a class action — there is no legitimate claims website or settlement fund. Any site offering a payout from the 'Panera Charged Lemonade settlement' is a scam.
Guaranteed-Payout Attorneys
With the product discontinued and all four cases closed, no new claims can be added to these suits. Be skeptical of any attorney advertising a Charged Lemonade claim form or guaranteed compensation.
Data-Breach Settlement Confusion
A separate Panera data-breach class action ($2.5M) has a real claims process. Scammers may conflate the two — they are entirely different legal matters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Panera Charged Lemonade lawsuit still active?
No. All four lawsuits are resolved. The last three were dismissed with prejudice in July 2025, closing the matter. No new cases can be filed under these suits.
How much did Panera pay to settle?
The amounts were not publicly disclosed. Confidentiality agreements were part of each settlement; no official figure has been confirmed.
Can I file a claim if I was harmed?
These were individual lawsuits, not a class action — there is no open claims process for the public. If you had a cardiac event you believe was caused by Charged Lemonade before 2024, consult a personal-injury attorney about a separate claim, mindful of time limits.
Why did Panera discontinue Charged Lemonade?
Panera removed it in early 2024 following media coverage of the lawsuits and criticism of its undisclosed caffeine — up to 390 mg per large cup, more than most energy drinks.
Who were the victims?
Sarah Katz (21, died 2022, had Long QT syndrome), Dennis Brown (46, died 2023), Lauren Skerritt (28, permanent atrial fibrillation) and Luke Adams (a Pennsylvania teen who needed resuscitation).
Did Panera admit wrongdoing?
No. All four settlements were reached without any admission of liability, which is standard for confidential civil settlements.
Is there a class action over Charged Lemonade?
No class action was certified for the Charged Lemonade cases. A separate Panera data-breach class action ($2.5M) has a claims process but is unrelated.
Separate from this case: were you injured in the last 2 years?
Class-action payouts are fixed amounts through an administrator. A personal injury claim is a different case — and often worth far more. Free estimate, no obligation.