Dozens Join Lawsuit Against Galaxy Gas, Baking Bad, Other Nitrous Oxide Canister Manufacturers

Lawsuit claims that plaintiffs have suffered nitrous oxide injuries and addictions following the use of Galaxy Gas, Baking Bad, Cosmic Gas, ExoticWhip and other popular canister brands widely sold on Amazon and by other retailers.

More than 40 people from throughout the U.S. have joined together to file a lawsuit against Amazon.com, Galaxy Gas and dozens of other companies involved in the widespread sale of nitrous oxide canisters for recreational use, indicating that they have been left with addictions and life-long health problems that resulted from inhaling nitrous oxide gas.

The complaint (PDF) was brought in the Superior Court of the State of Washington on February 9, with each plaintiff claiming they bought nitrous oxide canisters from Galaxy Gas, Baking Bad or other manufacturers through Amazon and suffered severe injuries.

Nitrous Oxide Injury Risks

Traditionally, nitrous oxide is used in medical settings and food preparation. However, inhaling the gas can cause a brief euphoric high, resulting in it acquiring the street name “whippets.”

Amid growing abuse of nitrous oxide, canisters of Galaxy Gas and a number of similar products have been increasingly sold directly to young adults in vape shops and online stores, where they are marketed with colorful packaging, sweet flavors and accessories designed to facilitate direct inhalation.

Last year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a new warning about the risks of nitrous oxide inhalation, noting that health departments across the U.S. have reported a surge in incidents of brain damage, paralysis, hallucinations and deaths linked to brands like Galaxy Gas among teens and young adults.

The new complaint, consisting of 40 different plaintiffs nationwide, joins a number of nitrous oxide lawsuits seeking to hold Amazon, Galaxy Gas and other defendants accountable for illegal sales of canisters for recreational use, and for failing to warn consumers about the serious health risks.

All of the plaintiffs indicate that they bought nitrous oxide through Amazon.com, which they say knew, or should have known, that the products were being sold for illegal recreational use, but continued to do so anyway.

In addition, they say manufacturers and distributors specifically sold the products for illegal use, marketing them with fruity and candy-like flavors, in colorful canisters, and in large volumes unnecessary for culinary use.

Plaintiffs involved in the lawsuit say they have suffered serious injuries, including:

The lawsuit accuses Amazon of being largely behind the recent spike in nitrous oxide-related injuries as well as nitrous oxide addiction.

“Amazon knew these risks, ignored them, and sold nitrous oxide canisters to the public in a format or volume that facilitated and encouraged consumers to ingest massive and dangerous doses of pure nitrous oxide, unmixed with the oxygen (that) reduces harm potential in a clinical setting. To take advantage of a legal loophole, Amazon claimed their products were intended for culinary use. They were not.”

— Aiden Finnegan et al v. Amazon.com Services LLC et al

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

Nitrous Oxide Lawsuits

Despite growing litigation and public health warnings, Galaxy Gas and other nitrous oxide canister brands, including Baking Bad, Cosmic Gas, HOTWHIP, InfusionMax, MassGass, Miami Magic and Whip-It!, continue to sell their products through Amazon.com, smoke shops, vape stores, gas stations and other online retailers.

Nitrous oxide addiction lawsuits claim that these and other manufacturers and distributors 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 them accountable for injuries caused by 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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