Lawsuit against Amazon over suicides linked to chemical can go to trial, court rules
Amazon is facing a lawsuit that alleges the retailer sold a chemical on its website that contributed to the suicides of several individuals. The Washington State Supreme Court recently ruled that the lawsuit can proceed to trial, a significant development in the case.
The lawsuit was brought forth by four families who lost loved ones after they consumed sodium nitrite, a compound commonly used in curing salt for meat preservation and metal refinishing. The families claim that Amazon knowingly sold sodium nitrite despite being aware of its potential for misuse in suicide. The plaintiffs argue that the individuals who died purchased high-purity versions of sodium nitrite, with concentrations of 98% or higher, through Amazon’s e-commerce platform. Additionally, they claim that Amazon failed to provide adequate warning labels for the sodium nitrite products sold on its site.
Naomi Leeds, the lead partner at C.A. Goldberg, the law firm representing the families, emphasized the importance of holding Big Tech companies accountable when their platforms facilitate harm. The firm represents a total of 28 families whose relatives died after consuming sodium nitrite purchased on Amazon.
In response to the allegations, Amazon stated its commitment to providing a safe shopping experience and ensuring that sellers on its platform comply with applicable laws. The company acknowledged that high-concentration sodium nitrite is not intended for direct consumption and can be misused. Amazon announced that it began prohibiting sales of sodium nitrite in concentrations greater than 10% in November of last year.
The Washington Supreme Court’s ruling overturned a previous decision by an appeals court, which had dismissed the case on the grounds that the deaths were attributed to suicide. The justices emphasized that Amazon cannot evade responsibility by arguing that the individuals misused the product.
The lawsuit focuses on two specific products from chemical companies Loudwolf and HiMedia, both of which were sold on Amazon’s platform. Carrie Goldberg, the lead attorney in the case, alleged that Amazon was aware of minors purchasing sodium nitrite on its website as early as 2018. She mentioned that discussions about the use of the chemical for suicide took place on internet forums, where users recommended purchasing sodium nitrite from Amazon.
Other companies, such as eBay, Walmart, and Etsy, previously sold sodium nitrite but removed it from their sites upon realizing its potential for misuse in suicide. The case highlights the importance of online platforms taking responsibility for the products they sell and implementing measures to prevent harm.
If you or someone you know is in emotional distress or a suicidal crisis, resources such as the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) HelpLine are available for support. It is crucial for online retailers like Amazon to prioritize consumer safety and take proactive steps to prevent the misuse of potentially harmful substances.
