Are you worried that your child’s passion for gaming has become an obsession? When excessive gaming takes over a child’s life, affecting their health, education, and social development, it can be a devastating experience for the entire family. If a loved one has been diagnosed with internet gaming disorder, you could have grounds for legal action against the video game companies that profit from these habit-forming products.
At Hach & Rose, LLP, we understand how painful it can be to see a child struggle with the consequences of a gaming disorder. Our experienced Video game addiction lawsuit lawyers are here to help you hold the gaming industry accountable and pursue justice. Our firm has a deep understanding of the legal challenges and is dedicated to helping families seek the financial resources their child needs to thrive.
Key Takeaways for Video Game Addiction Lawsuits
- Lawsuits target companies, not players. The core legal argument in video game addiction lawsuits is that video game companies intentionally design their products with psychologically manipulative and addictive features.
- A formal diagnosis is helpful. The strongest lawsuits include a formal diagnosis of internet gaming disorder from a qualified healthcare professional.
- Legal precedent is still being set. The legal landscape is evolving, with recent court rulings in favor of the defense often based on procedural grounds rather than the legal claims themselves, signaling that the fight for accountability from the gaming industry is far from over.
A lawsuit seeks more than just a win. A successful game addiction lawsuit can secure funds for a child’s long-term medical care and treatment while also forcing the gaming companies to change their harmful design practices. How can a lawyer help a lawyer can guide you through the legal process, gather evidence, and negotiate or fight in court to protect your child’s rights and future.
What Is Internet Gaming Disorder?
Internet gaming disorder, or IGD, is a recognized mental health condition characterized by a problematic and uncontrolled use of video games. The World Health Organization officially recognized gaming disorder in its International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11), highlighting the severe nature of the condition and the need for greater awareness and treatment options.
IGD is more than just playing video games for fun. It is a compulsive pattern of behavior that can seriously impair a child’s relationships and overall well-being.
The symptoms of IGD indicate a growing dependence on gaming, including:
- Preoccupation with gaming: A person with IGD will find themselves constantly thinking about games, even when they are not playing. This preoccupation can consume their thoughts and attention, often at the expense of other activities.
- Withdrawal symptoms: When unable to play, addicted gamers might experience intense feelings of sadness, anxiety, or irritability. This creates a powerful cycle where the urge to play becomes more intense to avoid these negative feelings.
- Difficulty cutting back: Despite negative consequences, those with gaming addiction often find it difficult to reduce their gaming time or quit altogether, indicating a loss of control.
- Loss of interest in other hobbies: As the addiction progresses, a gamer might lose interest in activities they once enjoyed, such as sports, socializing, or other hobbies, choosing to spend more time in the virtual world.
- Continued use despite negative consequences: The urge to play remains strong even when gaming leads to real-world problems like poor school performance, strained family relationships, or neglected personal hygiene.
- Lying or hiding gaming habits: Many addicted minors spend countless hours gaming and may resort to lying to loved ones to hide the extent of their habits.
The impacts of this disorder are not just mental. Prolonged excessive gaming can lead to physical issues, including sleep deprivation, poor nutrition, and a sedentary lifestyle, which can all negatively affect a child’s health and development. Should I get a lawyer can also be an important question for families, as an attorney can guide you through your legal options and help pursue compensation for treatment and support.
Why You Should Partner with Hach & Rose for Your Video Game Addiction Lawsuit
The battle against the powerful gaming industry is a complex one, filled with legal and technical challenges. When you choose Hach & Rose, LLP, you’re not just hiring a law firm; you’re gaining a dedicated partner with a proven track record.
We have the resources and experience to challenge billion-dollar gaming companies, meticulously investigating their design practices and commercial strategies to build a compelling case. Our attorneys are committed to securing the financial resources your family needs for your child’s long-term care, and we do it on a contingency-fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
How the Gaming Industry Fosters Addiction
Video game addiction lawsuits allege that the problem is not a lack of user willpower, but rather the intentional design of modern video games. Lawyers and plaintiffs claim that some of the most popular games, particularly those that are free-to-play, use sophisticated psychological tactics to keep players engaged and, more importantly, spending money.
The gaming industry has developed these methods to maximize player engagement and revenue, leading to devastating real-world consequences for minors. Online threats to your kids can grow when these addictive designs keep them playing for long hours, exposing them to harmful interactions and risky behavior.
These tactics include:
- Variable rewards and loot boxes: Many games offer random, unpredictable rewards or “loot boxes” that contain virtual items. This creates a cycle of anticipation and reward similar to a slot machine, which can be highly addictive.
- Social pressure and fear of missing out: Online games foster a sense of community and competition. Players feel immense social pressure to stay active to avoid falling behind friends or missing limited-time events, encouraging excessive gaming.
- Microtransactions and “Pay-to-Win” models: Games that allow players to purchase in-game advantages or cosmetic items can encourage compulsive spending.
- Vibrant graphics and endless loops: The combination of stunning visuals and the absence of a natural stopping point can keep players endlessly engaged, making it difficult to put the game down.
These design choices, plaintiffs argue, are not about entertainment but about monetizing addiction. A game addiction lawsuit often alleges that these tactics are product defects designed to exploit a vulnerable audience.
Can I Bring a Video Game Addiction Lawsuit?
If your child is suffering from the effects of gaming disorder, you may have grounds for a lawsuit against the responsible gaming companies. Could you be eligible for a lawsuit depends on factors such as your child’s age, diagnosis, and gaming habits. At Hach & Rose, LLP, we are currently accepting cases that meet specific criteria:
- Your child is a minor (17 or younger): The litigation focuses on the vulnerability of minors to these addictive design practices.
- Your child has a formal diagnosis: Your child should have a diagnosis of video game addiction or internet gaming disorder from a qualified healthcare professional.
- Your child’s gaming habits are excessive: We are specifically focusing on cases where a minor spends more than four hours a day playing video games.
- Involvement with specific games: At present, we are focusing on cases involving games that have been specifically designed with addictive features, such as Roblox, Minecraft, and Fortnite.
If your child meets these criteria, we would like to hear from you. The video game addiction lawsuits we pursue seek to hold the companies responsible for the harm their products have caused.
Legal Allegations in Video Game Addiction Lawsuits
Video game addiction lawsuits are becoming increasingly common. These legal challenges claim that the video game companies behind popular titles like Fortnite, Roblox, and Minecraft intentionally designed their products to be addictive, leading to a generation of young “gaming addicts.” An accident lawyer does similar work in proving negligence and harm, building a case to show how a company’s actions caused damage. Most lawsuits allege that game makers use psychological manipulation tactics to keep players engaged, resulting in addiction.
While defense counsel in these cases often argues that video games are protected by free speech, much like novels or television shows, our plaintiffs’ attorneys believe that the focus of these cases is on the product itself. We take the position that the addictive mechanisms are a defect in the product’s design, not a form of protected expression. This distinction is crucial to the success of this litigation.
Lawsuit Updates: Recent Legal Developments – September 2025
The legal landscape of game addiction lawsuits is still developing, and recent court decisions provide important insights into the future of this litigation. For example, in May 2025, a federal judge from the Northern District of Illinois dismissed some claims against Google, Apple, and Roblox in a lawsuit filed by a mother who alleged her son developed a gaming disorder.
While this dismissal might seem like a setback, it is based on procedural grounds, not the legal strength of the core claims. The judge determined that the complaint lacked organization and clarity, making it difficult to assign responsibility to specific defendants.
Despite this, the judge gave the plaintiff permission to revise and refile the complaint with more focused and detailed allegations. The court’s findings suggest that more precise allegations—such as timelines of use and platform-specific conduct—could allow future complaints to move forward.
The court also left open the possibility of claims based on commercial speech. Marketing statements that present these games as “educational” or “safe for children” could be challenged if plaintiffs can demonstrate they relied on those claims and suffered harm as a result.
The ruling did not address other defendants, such as Activision, Epic Games, and Rockstar, whose cases are still pending. This underscores the seriousness of the underlying legal questions around accountability in game design and promotion, and why having a skilled law firm as your advocate can make a big difference in the success of your claim. Choose a personal injury lawyer to guide you through this complex process and protect your family’s rights.
The Impact of a Video Game Addiction Lawsuit
Pursuing a video game addiction lawsuit is about more than just a legal fight. It is about demanding accountability from a multi-billion-dollar gaming industry. For a family struggling with these issues, a successful lawsuit can help in two key ways:
- Covering the Costs of Recovery: Treating internet gaming disorder can be a long and expensive process. It often requires professional therapy, counseling, and other forms of support. The financial resources obtained through a lawsuit can help families cover these costs without having to bear the burden themselves.
- Forcing Change in the Gaming Industry: By holding video game companies accountable, these lawsuits can create a powerful incentive for the industry to change its design practices. A successful legal challenge could lead to the removal of addictive features, the implementation of more robust parental controls, and a greater commitment to player well-being, ultimately protecting a new generation of children.
A lawsuit provides a path forward, not just for the individual family, but for society as a whole. It is a way to say that a child’s health is more important than corporate profit.
Why You Need a Video Game Addiction Lawyer in New York
The gaming industry has vast legal resources dedicated to defending against these claims. Navigating the complex legal and technical issues involved requires the skill and experience of an attorney who focuses on these cases. A dedicated video game addiction lawyer in our New York offices can help you by:
- Conducting a thorough investigation: A lawyer can help you gather the necessary evidence, including your child’s gaming logs, medical records, and expert testimony to build a powerful case.
- Identifying all liable parties: Beyond the game developer, other parties such as platforms, app stores, or publishers may share liability.
- Negotiating with the defense: A skilled attorney can counter the arguments made by the video game companies and negotiate for a fair settlement.
- Representing you in court: If a fair settlement cannot be reached, our lawyers can represent your family in court and fight for a jury verdict that reflects the true value of your damages.
Attempting to handle a game addiction lawsuit alone can be a daunting and often unsuccessful endeavor. You need an advocate on your side who understands the law, the science of addiction, and the tactics used by the gaming industry. Can you sue someone for creating addictive games depends on meeting the legal requirements, which an experienced lawyer can explain and pursue on your behalf.
Hach & Rose, LLP: Your Champion in the Fight Against Video Game Addiction
If you believe that video game addiction has harmed your child, you do not have to fight this battle alone. The New York video game addiction lawyers with Hach & Rose, LLP, are here to help you understand your options and pursue justice on your family’s behalf. We are committed to holding the companies responsible for your child’s addiction accountable for the harm they’ve caused.
We offer a free consultation to discuss your case. We also work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no upfront fees, and we only get paid if we win your case. You have nothing to lose by contacting us. Contact us today at (212) 779-0057 or fill out our online form to learn how we can help you protect your child and your family’s future.