{"id":13254,"date":"2024-07-13T20:46:01","date_gmt":"2024-07-13T20:46:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/used82.com\/?p=13254"},"modified":"2024-07-13T20:46:01","modified_gmt":"2024-07-13T20:46:01","slug":"family-of-14-year-old-who-died-after-eating-spicy-chip-files-lawsuit-against-company","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/used82.com\/?p=13254","title":{"rendered":"Family of 14-year-old who died after eating spicy chip files lawsuit against company"},"content":{"rendered":"

The teenager complained of stomach pains before collapsing and was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead<\/h2>\n

The family of a teenager who tragically lost his life after taking part in a social media challenge is suing the companies they believe are responsible.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The One Chip Challenge had been circulating on the internet for a few years but taking part would prove fatal for one\u00a0Massachusetts<\/a>\u00a0teenager.<\/p>\n

The challenge would see people purchase a Paqui Carolina Reaper chip, one of the hottest in the world, eat it, and try not to eat or drink anything afterwards for as long as possible.<\/p>\n

While the product has prominent labelling stating that is not \u2018children or anyone sensitive to spicy\u00a0foods<\/a>\u00a0or with underlying health conditions\u2019, according to the company, young people were still able to get their hands on it and often uploaded themselves eating it to\u00a0social media<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Harris Wolobah died on 1 September, 2023<\/a>\u00a0after taking part in the challenge. An autopsy found that he had eaten a large quantity of chile pepper extract and also had a congenital heart defect.<\/p>\n

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\"The<\/div>\n

The challenge would see people eat the chip and avoid food and water for as long as possible.(Instagram\/@paquichips)<\/cite><\/div>\n

According to the autopsy from the Chief Office of the Medical Examiner: \u201c[Harris died of] cardiopulmonary arrest in the setting of recent ingestion of food substance with high capsaicin concentration.\u201d Capsaicin is the component that gives chilli peppers their heat.<\/p>\n

On Thursday (11 July) the family filed a lawsuit in in Suffolk Superior Court for Harris against Hershey and Walgreens.<\/p>\n

One of the attorneys representing the families, Douglas Sheff, spoke to the media about the lawsuit.<\/p>\n

He said: \u201cToday we filed a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of this wonderful family for the loss of their beloved son, Harris.<\/p>\n

“The defendants charged about $10 for each chip, $10 for the chip that killed Harris, $10 for his life,<\/p>\n

“Isn’t it clear that these defendants knew full well that this chip was unreasonably dangerous? And isn’t this an obvious marketing campaign designed to attract kids to that very danger?”<\/p>\n

The family are seeking punitive damages for the death of Harris in the lawsuit.<\/p>\n

\n
\"The<\/div>\n

The family filed a lawsuit in in Suffolk Superior Court for Harris against Hershey, Walgreens and several others in the case.(GoFundMe)<\/cite><\/div>\n

Following his death, Worcester Public Schools Superintendent Rachel Mon\u00e1rrez also released a statement offering support for anyone who had been impacted by his death.<\/p>\n

The statement read: \u201cIt is with a heavy heart I share that we lost a rising star, Harris Wolobah, who was a sophomore scholar at Doherty Memorial High School.”<\/p>\n

“As a mother and educator, I cannot imagine how hard this is on his family, friends and teachers. My heart goes out to all who knew and loved him.<\/p>\n

\u201cWorcester Public Schools is offering counseling and social emotional support for those who have been impacted by this tragedy.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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