Nitrous Oxide Lawsuit Alleges Galaxy Gas Manufacturers Responsible for Woman’s Nerve Damage, Other Injuries

Lawsuit claims sellers knowingly distribute large nitrous oxide canisters for illegal inhalation, while falsely marketing them as products intended for cooking.

A California woman filed a lawsuit last week against several nitrous oxide suppliers and distributors, alleging they sold canisters without warnings that recreational use is illegal and dangerous.

Asia Leet brought the complaint (PDF) on May 7 in Los Angeles County Superior Court. It names Galaxy Gas, Pluto Brands LLC, 11Sixtysix LLC, SBK International LLC, United Brands Corporation, and several other businesses and individuals as defendants.

Leet claims that manufacturers and sellers of nitrous oxide canisters knowingly marketed and distributed the products for illegal recreational inhalation, which allegedly resulted in addiction that caused her to suffer severe neurological injuries.

Nitrous Oxide Abuse Concerns

These allegations come amid growing concerns over the widespread promotion and abuse of nitrous oxide, traditionally used as an anesthetic and in food preparation, as a recreational drug that can be inhaled for a brief, euphoric high. However, this can lead to physical, neurological and cognitive injuries, resulting in paralysis, brain damage, vitamin B12 deficiency, addiction and death.

Canisters of the gas are being sold heavily online and in vape and smoke shops, often in bright colors and fruity flavors, with devices that allegedly make inhalation easier despite the practice being illegal. 

A 2019 survey by the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration indicated that about 12.64 million Americans 12 years old or older had misused nitrous oxide at least once. This has reportedly contributed to a public health crisis, with deaths linked to nitrous oxide inhalation increasing more than 100% from 2019 to 2023.

Leet’s complaint joins a growing number of similar nitrous oxide lawsuits being filed nationwide by users who say they were roped into addiction due to illegal marketing and a lack of warnings about the potential health risks.

Nitrous Oxide Injury Allegations

The lawsuit indicates Leet began inhaling nitrous oxide in late 2023, starting with small 8 gram chargers, but working up over time to larger canisters, such as those sold by Galaxy Gas, WhipIt!, Euro Gas, Miami Magic, Infusion Max and Infuzd.

According to Leet, while these products were obviously marketed for inhalation and recreational use, sellers, particularly brick-and-mortar smoke shops, advertised that they were for culinary use as cover.

“The facade that smoke shops are selling nitrous oxide to chefs bears little resemblance to reality. Although nitrous oxide canisters may state (usually in relatively small type) that the product is for ‘food purposes’ only, every aspect of Defendants’ marketing and retail presentation is designed to override that warning and attract illicit recreational users. Unlike the plain metal cartridges sold at restaurant supply stores, nitrous oxide canisters at smoke shops have edgy names and bright colors that nod toward drug culture—not the food industry.”

– Asia Leet v. Galaxy Gas et al

Starting slowly, addiction began to set in, leading to Leet’s usage gradually increasing over time. She indicates that the employees at the smoke shops should have clearly known the amounts she was buying, as well as the frequency, were signs of illegal use, yet they never tried to warn her of the potential legal or health consequences.

In 2024, Leet began suffering tingling, numbness, paresthesia, trouble walking and a spastic bladder. These symptoms got worse over time, leading to hospitalization and the need for physical rehabilitation.

Leet has been diagnosed with severe B12 deficiency, nerve damage, neuropathy, spastic bladder, subacute combined degermation of the spinal cord and potentially has demyelinating disorder of the spinal cord. Her lawsuit presents claims of design defect, failure to warn, negligence and violations of California Unfair Competition Laws.

Nitrous Oxide Injury Lawsuits

Manufacturers and distributors of nitrous oxide canisters have faced an increasing number of similar claims over the last year, with many lawsuits also targeting Amazon.com for allegedly serving as a third-party seller of products marketed for recreational use.

These manufacturers are being accused of openly and repeatedly violating the law by allowing and facilitating the sale of nitrous oxide for illegal recreational use.

Nitrous oxide attorneys are currently providing free consultations to individuals and families who may be eligible for compensation through a nitrous oxide injury lawsuit.

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