Case type Mental Health & Behavioral Health Liability
Video Game & Platform Addiction
Has compulsive gaming taken over your child's life, or yours? Tell us your story.
CBW Law reviews claims that video games and gaming platforms were designed in ways that harmed young players. Tell Us Your Story. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship.
Most people who play video games never have a problem. For a small number, gaming takes over: school, sleep, friendships and family life fall away. Video game and platform addiction claims ask whether game companies designed features to keep young players playing and spending, knew about the risks and failed to warn. These are product claims against technology companies. They are not claims against health care providers, and a medical diagnosis alone does not establish that a company is responsible. A video game addiction lawyer looks at the player's history and the design of the games involved.
Gaming disorder as a health condition
The World Health Organization describes gaming disorder as a pattern of impaired control over gaming, increasing priority given to gaming over other activities and continuing or escalating gaming despite negative consequences1. For a diagnosis, the pattern must cause significant impairment in personal, family, social, educational or work life and would normally be evident for at least 12 months1. WHO says studies suggest it affects only a small proportion of people who play1.
The American Psychiatric Association lists internet gaming disorder in DSM-5-TR as a condition for further research, not a formal diagnosis, with nine proposed symptoms2.
Design features under scrutiny
Claims in this area focus on how games are built, not on gaming itself. Features that have drawn attention include:
- Rewards on unpredictable schedules, such as loot boxes
- In-game currencies that hide real-money costs
- Daily streaks and limited-time events
- Purchase prompts aimed at children
- Default chat and social features
- Weak or hard-to-use parental controls
The Federal Trade Commission describes dark patterns as design practices that trick or manipulate users into choices they would not otherwise have made and that may cause harm3. In 2022, Epic Games agreed to pay $520 million over FTC allegations involving Fortnite: a $275 million penalty for collecting children's information without parental consent and $245 million in refunds over dark patterns that led to unintended purchases4. The FTC sent more than $126 million to U.S. players in June 20255. Those were allegations resolved by agreement; they did not decide any addiction claim.
Gaming, social media and AI are separate claims
Gaming claims are often grouped with social media claims, but they are different. Social media addiction cases are coordinated in federal multidistrict litigation, MDL No. 3047, which had 4,309 pending actions in the JPML's Nov. 2, 2026 report6. That same report does not list a pending MDL for video game addiction6. Video game claims, where filed, proceed separately.
- Social media harm: see Social Media Harm
- AI chatbot harm: see AI Psychosis
Who may have a claim
- The player started young, often before age 18
- Gaming became compulsive and continued despite harm
- A clinician diagnosed or treated a related condition
- There was real harm: school failure, lost work, treatment, self-harm or large spending
- You can name the games and platforms involved
You do not need a formal diagnosis to ask for a review. Do not delete accounts or purchase history; those records may matter.
Getting help for the player
A legal claim does not replace care. If gaming is affecting someone's health, talk with a pediatrician, doctor or mental health professional. If there is a crisis, call or text 988, or call 911 in an emergency7.
Filing deadlines for a video game addiction lawsuit
Deadlines depend on the state, the type of defendant and when the injury was discovered. Examples:
- Arizona: generally two years for personal injury and wrongful death8.
- California: two years for injury or death caused by another's wrongful act or neglect9. Separate, shorter rules can apply to claims against health care providers and public agencies.
- New York: three years for most personal injury claims10.
- Texas: two years for personal injury and wrongful death11.
Rules for injuries to minors often pause the clock until age 18, but not in every state or every claim. Ask a video game addiction attorney to check the rules for your state.
Records that help a review
Records worth gathering
Gaming
- Account names and platforms
- Play-time reports from consoles or apps
- Purchase and spending history
Health
- Doctor, therapy or treatment records
- School records showing changes
- Notes on sleep and behavior
Family
- Bank or card statements
- Parental control settings
- Messages about gaming
What happens after you contact CBW Law
How a review works
-
Tell us what happened
Tell us which games and platforms, the player's age and what changed. You do not need records first.
-
We identify the games and companies
We list the platforms, publishers and accounts involved.
-
We gather records
With your permission, we gather health, school and spending records.
-
We explain what we see
We tell you what the records show, what questions remain and what options may be open, including deadlines.
Most gaming is play. The question is whether a product was built to make it something else.
Plain English
Medical, Health & Insurance
Terms you may see in health and legal records.
Health terms
Design terms
- Loot box
- A paid or earned item with random contents.
- Dark pattern
- A design that tricks or manipulates users into choices they would not otherwise make3.
Legal terms
- Product liability
- Claims that a product was defectively designed or lacked adequate warnings.
- MDL
- Coordinated pretrial handling of similar federal cases12.
Questions
Video game addiction lawsuit questions
Short answers to the questions people ask first.
What is a video game addiction lawsuit?
A product claim that a game or platform was designed to encourage compulsive play or spending and that a player was harmed.
Is there a video game addiction MDL?
Not as of the JPML's Nov. 2, 2026 report. Social media addiction cases are in MDL No. 3047.
Does a gaming disorder diagnosis mean I have a case?
No. A video game addiction lawyer looks at design, warnings, the player's history and the harm.
Are game companies treated like doctors?
No. These are product claims against technology companies, not malpractice claims.
Can adults bring claims?
Claims usually focus on players who started as minors, but a video game addiction attorney can review adult situations.
Should I delete my child's accounts?
Not before talking to a lawyer. Account and purchase history may be important.
How long do I have to file?
It depends on the state and the player's age.
What does it cost to contact CBW Law?
Telling us your story costs nothing, and contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship.
Tell Us Your Story
If compulsive gaming caused serious harm to you or your child, a video game addiction attorney can review what happened.
Tell us what happened. CBW Law will review your information and explain what we see. Submitting information does not establish an attorney-client relationship or guarantee representation.
Tell Us Your Story Call (800) 476-2416
This page is general information about video game and platform addiction claims. It is not legal or medical advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. WHO recognition of gaming disorder does not establish that any company is liable. FTC actions described here were resolved by agreement and did not decide addiction claims. Laws and deadlines differ by state, and no outcome can be promised.