Local Officials Consider Future Of Four Loko | Orlando Personal Injury Lawyer

Orlando's 13 news recently reported that Lake County School Board officials met in early November to discuss how Lake County schools should address the dangers to students presented by caffeinated alcoholic energy drinks such as Four Loko.  I am going to go out on a limb and predict that this won't be the last government agency in Florida to tackle the hazards presented by this dangerous product.

For those unfamiliar with Four Loko, it is a 23.5 ounce alcoholic beverage manufactured by Phusion Projects out of Chicago, IL.  Four Loko is 12% alcohol by volume, making it stronger than beer or wine, but not as strong as a shot of hard liquor.  Phusion then ads caffeine to the mix -- the equivalent of a large Starbucks coffee.

Known as "blackout in a can", Four Loko became popular on college campuses.  Consumer advocates and college administrators voiced concern over the marketing of the product which comes in brightly colored cans and sweet, fruity flavors.  Colleges across the country recently reported the aftermaths of parties featuring Four Loko and other alcoholic energy beverages where students had to be rushed to hospitals for care.  Health experts believe that the caffeine in the beverages keep drinkers from fully realizing their actual level of intoxication, sometimes causing overindulgence.

Prior to November 16, 2010, a least five states had banned, or were taking steps to ban, Four Loko from being sold in those states (Michigan, Oklahoma, Utah, Washington, and New York).  Officials in Massachusetts were preparing to heavily regulate the sale of Four Loko when Phusion Projects abruptly announced that it was changing the products formulation, and removing the caffeine.

Although this change is certainly welcome, it comes too late for some young people who have been seriously injured, and worse, after drinking Four Loko.  Lanae Cummins is an 18-year old from Phoenix, Arizona, who suffered serious spinal injuries after attempting to drive after consuming Four Loko.  Closer to home, allegations have been raised that a Winter Park High School student who was hit while crossing Aloma Avenue may have consumed Four Loko before trying to cross the busy roadway.

If you know of anyone who has had a negative reaction to Four Loko, or who has been injured after consuming Four Loko, we would like to learn more about it.  Please call Orlando personal injury attorney Kim Cullen at 407-254-4901, or enter your contact information at www.cullen-law.com.