Video game addiction lawyers file mental health lawsuits for children and young adults.
Gaming Addiction Lawyers for Mental Health Claims
Call Now: (888) 510-9213
Hotline Open 24 Hours
Our video game addiction lawyers file mental health lawsuits for individuals suffering from gaming disorder. Video game addiction lawsuits claim leading game manufacturers failed to warn of mental health risks associated with playtime.
As such, those suffering from gaming-related psychological conditions may be eligible to claim a cash settlement.
Microsoft ⋅ Roblox ⋅ Minecraft ⋅ Fortine ⋅ Call of Duty ⋅ GTA
Our team of video game addiction attorneys has represented thousands of victims of dangerous consumer products. In doing so, we have recovered millions of dollars in settlement funds on their behalf.
However, we only pursue compensation from video game producers, and do not file claims against our clients’ doctors or caregivers.
No Legal Fee Unless You Obtain a Settlement
While compensation may be available to qualified gaming disorder claimants, victims are urged to act promptly. The #1 claim video game addicts can make for mental health injuries is one filed within the Statute of Limitations. (Follow this link for our latest information on video game multi-district litigation.)
Our video game addiction lawyers are available to review claims now. We offer a free case evaluation to confirm exposure to a qualified electronic game and a related mental health condition. Further, we never charge a legal fee unless a financial recovery is obtained for our client.
Contact our video game addiction lawyers today.
Why Are Video Game Addiction Lawsuits Being Filed?
The rise of video games as a dominant form of entertainment has brought with it new concerns about their potential impact on mental health. While many people enjoy gaming as a harmless pastime, a growing number of individuals and families are filing lawsuits against game developers, alleging that certain games cause video game addiction. These lawsuits claim that developers design games to manipulate behavior and create dependency, resulting in serious consequences for players.
What is Video Game Addiction?
Video game addiction, also known as gaming disorder, involves compulsive or uncontrolled gaming that negatively affects a person’s daily life. The World Health Organization (WHO)’s video game addiction lawyers classified gaming disorder as a mental health condition in 2018. In doing so, they defined gaming disorder as a pattern of behavior characterized by:
- Impaired control over gaming frequency, intensity, or duration.
- Gaming taking priority over other activities and responsibilities.
- Continued gaming despite negative consequences in personal, social, or professional life.
Research links video game addiction to physical, mental, and emotional challenges, such as sleep deprivation, depression, anxiety, social isolation, and declining academic or job performance. Video game addiction lawsuits claim that gaming addiction can even mimic the effects of substance use disorders, with similar changes in brain chemistry and reward pathways.
How Games Manipulate Kids
Mental health lawsuits related to gaming addiction typically focus on the design practices of game developers. Gaming disorder lawyers allege developers use techniques that intentionally exploit psychological vulnerabilities to maximize user engagement and profits. These techniques include:
Reward Systems and Loot Boxes
Many games incorporate reward systems like loot boxes, which mimic gambling mechanics. Players spend money or time to obtain randomized in-game items, creating a cycle of anticipation and reward. Video game addiction lawyers argue that these mechanics encourage compulsive behavior, particularly in younger players, who may struggle to recognize the risks.
Microtransactions
Developers often monetize games through in-game purchases, encouraging players to spend money to progress or improve their gameplay experience. Gaming disorder lawsuits claim that this design fosters unhealthy spending habits, especially in children and adolescents.
Time-Sensitive Events
Games frequently use time-limited events to create urgency, pressuring players to stay engaged or risk missing rewards. These events can encourage binge gaming.
Behavioral Engineering
Developers use advanced data analytics and psychological principles, such as variable reinforcement schedules, to keep players engaged. These techniques, similar to those used in gambling, reward players unpredictably to maintain excitement and dependency.
Click here to view the National Institute of Health (NIH) review of problematic video game use.
Video Game Addiction Lawyers Blast Corporate Negligence
Video game mental health lawsuits bring claims under consumer protection laws, negligence, and product liability statutes. Common allegations include:
- Failure to Warn: Plaintiffs argue that developers failed to warn users about the addictive potential of their games, similar to warning labels on tobacco or alcohol products. They claim that companies knew or should have known about the risks, especially for younger users.
- Exploitation of Minors: Many lawsuits emphasize the vulnerability of children and teens, asserting that developers intentionally targeted them with manipulative game mechanics. These cases often cite the lack of adequate parental controls or safeguards to prevent excessive gaming.
- Negligent Design: Plaintiffs allege that developers negligently designed games with addictive features that harm players’ mental health and well-being.
- Unfair and Deceptive Practices: Some lawsuits claim that developers engaged in deceptive marketing practices, such as failing to disclose the likelihood of rewards in loot boxes or misrepresenting the impact of in-game purchases.
Noteworthy Gaming Mental Health Lawsuits
Fortnite Lawsuits
In recent years, mental health lawsuits have targeted Epic Games, the developer of Fortnite, one of the world’s most popular games. Parents of young players have accused the company of designing Fortnite to be “as addictive as cocaine.” Gaming addiction lawsuits claim that Epic Games uses psychological tactics to maximize player retention and spending, contributing to excessive gaming behavior among minors.
Loot Box Litigation
Multiple video game addiction lawsuits have challenged loot boxes as a form of unregulated gambling. In the U.S., parents have filed lawsuits against companies like Electronic Arts (EA), alleging that loot boxes prey on children by fostering gambling-like behaviors.
Proving Liability for Digital Exposure
Proving liability in video game addiction lawsuits is complex and requires overcoming several challenges:
- Scientific Evidence: Gaming disorder lawyers must show a clear link between specific game features and addiction. While research supports the addictive potential of certain games, defense teams may argue that individual factors, such as pre-existing mental health conditions, play a larger role.
- Legal Protections for Game Developers: Game companies may claim freedom of speech protections under the First Amendment, asserting that games constitute artistic expression.
- Parental Responsibility: Defense teams often argue that parents bear responsibility for monitoring their children’s gaming habits and setting boundaries.
- Consumer Awareness: Developers may argue that users voluntarily engage in gaming and that games inherently involve user choice.
Settlement of Gaming Addiction Lawsuits
Plaintiffs in video game addiction lawsuits typically seek:
- Compensation for damages, including medical expenses, therapy costs, and loss of income.
- Injunctive Relief, requiring developers to change game design practices, such as removing loot boxes or implementing time restrictions.
- Increased Warnings, such as labeling games with addiction-related risks or age-appropriate guidance.
These lawsuits signal a growing demand for accountability within the gaming industry. Developers may face stronger regulatory oversight of gaming, mental health, and corporate accountability. Video game addiction attorneys aim to protect vulnerable players while encouraging ethical development in the gaming industry.