Amazon Faces Lawsuit Over Galaxy Gas, Other Nitrous Oxide Canister Sales

Lawsuit presents injury claims from 90 different individuals nationwide who say they acquired nitrous oxide canisters through Amazon.com.

Nearly 100 different people have filed a joint lawsuit against Amazon, Galaxy Gas and dozens of other companies responsible for the sale and distribution of nitrous oxide canisters for illegal recreational use.

The complaint (PDF) was brought in Washington State Superior Court on January 28, by plaintiffs who say they suffered a variety of injuries due to nitrous oxide use, including blood clots, frostbite, headaches, psychiatric problems and other adverse effects from inhaling the gas. The lawsuit indicates the companies knew that their products were being used illegally and unsafely, yet promoted them for those uses in order to maximize profits.

Nitrous oxide, commonly referred to as “whippets” or “laughing gas,” has long been used as a dental anesthetic and as a propellant in whipped cream dispensers. In recent years, however, the gas has increasingly been repackaged into large, flavored canisters marketed under brand names such as Galaxy Gas and sold through vape shops, smoke shops and online retailers.

Public health experts warn that the canisters are often presented in bright, candy-colored designs and fruit-inspired flavors that obscure the risks and appeal to teenagers and young adults seeking a brief euphoric high. Many of the same retailers, including Amazon.com, also sell inhalation attachments and related paraphernalia designed to facilitate recreational use, which law enforcement agencies and a growing number of lawsuits cite as evidence that the products are being promoted for illegal drug use rather than legitimate culinary purposes.

As awareness of the dangers of nitrous oxide inhalation and addiction have increased in recent months, nitrous oxide lawsuits have been filed nationwide, alleging that manufacturers and sellers failed to adequately warn consumers about the risks of nitrous oxide inhalation and addiction.

This latest complaint was filed by individuals nationwide who say they suffered direct injuries due to the sale of nitrous oxide canisters. These injuries include:

Plaintiffs say they purchased nitrous oxide products through Amazon.com, which they claim knowingly sold canisters designed for illegal recreational use. According to the lawsuit, the products were sold in sizes far larger than would be used for culinary purposes and featured flavors and packaging intended to appeal to young consumers.

“Amazon’s and the Manufacturer Defendants’ profit model for their large nitrous oxide canister products depended on consumers’ recreational inhalation of nitrous oxide because there is no meaningful market for large, flavored nitrous oxide canisters outside of that use.”

– Alexandra Lira et al. v. Amazon.com Services LLC et al

Plaintiffs allege that Amazon, Galaxy Gas, and other manufacturers and distributors knew or should have known that the nitrous oxide canisters were being used illegally for recreational purposes. The lawsuit claims the companies failed to take steps to curb that use or warn consumers about the significant health risks associated with nitrous oxide misuse.

They present claims of failure to warn, negligence, breach of implied warranty, design defect, unfair or deceptive practices, and seek both punitive and compensatory damages.

Galaxy Gas Lawsuits

In addition to lawsuits against Amazon, Galaxy Gas is also named among dozens of other defendants, which continue to sell their products through various shops, gas stations and online retailers.

Other recent nitrous oxide addiction lawsuits claim manufacturers like Galaxy Gas have failed to provide adequate warnings and used deceptive marketing tactics to promote the canisters as safe or harmless. Former users and family members are seeking to hold those manufacturers accountable for injuries caused by them placing profits over consumer safety.

Nitrous oxide attorneys are currently offering free consultations to individuals and families who may be eligible for compensation through a Galaxy Gas lawsuit, or lawsuit against another nitrous oxide canister manufacturer.

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