SAN DIEGO (October 22, 2020) – San Diego-based law firm CaseyGerry has filed a lawsuit in San Diego Superior Court on behalf of the parents of Le’Sharia Bre’Aun Steele (“Bre’Aun”) – a 28-year old flight attendant from Alabama who died in San Diego, California after consuming a KushyPunch Tropical Hybrid gummy – against the companies involved in the design, manufacture, distribution and sale of that product.
According to CaseyGerry attorney Robert J. Francavilla, the young woman experienced severe psychological and physiological symptoms after consuming a gummy, including trouble breathing, uncontrollable movements, increased heart rate, uncharacteristic behavior and panic attacks. She died hours after ingestion.
“These companies disguise and market their products as safe, fun and healthy, going so far as to represent to consumers that the products ‘deliver(ed) the wellbeing and relief to all those that seek it.’ What they do not tell consumers is that the use of their products carry extreme risk of serious injury or even death,” said Francavilla.”
Francavilla noted that the defendants represent to the public that their gummies, with apparently the same dosage as others, “hit heavier,” with more potency than competitors. “The defendants do not however, include important warnings related to these statements on their packaging and disregard and misrepresent the increased risks of injury and death attributed to ingesting a highly potent edible known for powerful and dramatic bodily effects,” he said.
Francavilla, with CaseyGerry associate Meagan L. Verschueren, is filing wrongful death and survivorship claims under theories of negligence, product liability, and misrepresentation on behalf of plaintiffs. Responsible parties include those involved in the design, manufacturing, testing, packaging, distribution and/or sale of the KushyPunch Hybrid gummies, including Passion Care, LLC, Desert Zen, Inc., Vertical Bliss, Inc., Kushypunch, Inc., More Agency, Inc. and UL Holdings, Inc. doing business as URBN LEAF.
“We are determined to fight for justice and set the platform for safer practices, full disclosure and clear warnings from the marijuana industry,” added Verschueren.
About CaseyGerry
Headquartered at 110 Laurel St. in the Banker’s Hill neighborhood of San Diego, CaseyGerry was established in 1947 and is the oldest plaintiffs’ law firm in San Diego. The firm’s attorneys practice in numerous areas, including serious personal injury, automobile, maritime, trucking, aviation, product liability, sexual abuse, and class actions. For more information, visit www.caseygerry.com.
Media Contact:
Sydnie Moore (619) 823-8448 [email protected]
