Nitrous Oxide Overdose Lawsuit Alleges Medical Procedure Resulted in Acute Toxic Encephalopathy

Healthcare professionals told the plaintiff that the level of nitrous oxide she inhaled had placed her at an increased risk of injury and death.

A California woman is pursuing a medical malpractice lawsuit against a doctor who she says subjected her to prolonged nitrous oxide exposure during surgery, causing toxic brain damage.

The complaint (PDF) was filed by Giovanna Spinks in the Superior Court of California in Los Angeles County on April 6, naming Dr. Anna Gevorgyan as the sole defendant.

Spinks’s lawsuit alleges the doctor failed to properly administer and monitor anesthesia in accordance with accepted standards of care, with subsequent medical providers indicating the level of exposure placed her at significant risk of injury or death.

Nitrous Oxide Risks

Nitrous oxide is a gas commonly used as anesthesia during medical and dental procedures, and it is also widely used in food preparation. However, excessive exposure can lead to serious complications, including brain damage, paralysis, hallucinations and death.

In recent years, nitrous oxide has been increasingly abused as a recreational drug, which is now responsible for a growing number of injuries. Inhalation produces a short-lived euphoric effect, leading to its widespread use under the street name “whippits.” These products are often sold in vape shops and online, marketed with colorful packaging, sweet flavors, and accessories designed to facilitate direct inhalation.

Federal regulators have raised concerns about these risks. Last year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a safety warning highlighting the dangers of nitrous oxide misuse and the potential for severe spinal cord and neurological damage.

As reports of injuries continue to rise, manufacturers and distributors now face a growing number of nitrous oxide lawsuits, which allege they failed to adequately warn consumers about the dangers and, in some cases, improperly marketed the products in ways that encouraged recreational abuse.

Nitrous Oxide Medical Malpractice Lawsuit

According to Spinks, it was a doctor, not abuse, that led to her injuries. In particular, she claims that proper standards of medical care were not followed by Gevorgyan.

Spinks went to Gevorgyan in April 2025 for a liposuction procedure, which lasted six to seven hours. She was sedated using nitrous oxide during the operation. After the surgery, Spinks was given acetaminophen with codeine and alprazolam to take home for pain management.

Once Spinks was home, she began suffering fainting spells, known as syncopal episodes, loss of consciousness and a severely altered mental state. She was taken by ambulance to a hospital, and diagnosed with acute toxic encephalopathy, near syncope and altered mental status.

Acute toxic encephalopathy occurs when the brain is exposed to toxic substances, causing dysfunction. It can lead to confusion, delirium, coma and seizures. Fortunately, it is reversible with quick treatment.

Doctors treating Spinks told her that she had been placed in serious risk of injury or death by the amount of nitrous oxide she inhaled. However, the lawsuit claims Gevorgyan reported no complications occurred during the procedure.

“Plaintiff is informed and believes that Defendant failed to provide care consistent with the applicable standard of care, including but not limited to improper administration, monitoring, and/or management of nitrous oxide and medications.”

– Giovanna Spinks v. Dr. Anna Gevorgyan

Spinks presents claims of professional negligence, and seeks compensatory damages for medical expenses, pain and suffering, emotional distress and other damages.

Nitrous Oxide Overdose Lawsuits

Unlike Spinks’s complaint, most nitrous oxide overdose lawsuits have been filed not against doctors, but against manufacturers like Galaxy Gas, Baking Bad, Cosmic Gas, HOTWHIP, InfusionMax, MassGass, Miami Magic and Whip-It!, as well as Amazon for serving as a third-party seller.

These nitrous oxide addiction lawsuits claim the manufacturers failed to provide adequate warnings and used deceptive marketing tactics to promote nitrous oxide use as safe or harmless. Former users and family members are seeking to hold the 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 nitrous oxide lawsuit.

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