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Washington Court Allows Families to Sue Amazon Over Sodium Nitrite Deaths

2/21/2026

Summary

Families Pursue Amazon

The Washington Supreme Court allowed four families to pursue negligence claims against Amazon.com, Inc. for deaths from ingesting sodium nitrite purchased online.
The court rejected dismissal, ruling suicide does not automatically bar liability under Washington state law.
The families allege Amazon.com's sales practices, including inadequate warnings and product recommendations, contributed to the deaths.
Amazon.com, Inc. acknowledged the risks and restricted high-concentration sodium nitrite sales, raising questions about platform responsibility.

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Families Pursue Amazon

The Washington Supreme Court allowed four families to pursue negligence claims against Amazon.com, Inc. for deaths from ingesting sodium nitrite purchased online.
The court rejected dismissal, ruling suicide does not automatically bar liability under Washington state law.
The families allege Amazon.com's sales practices, including inadequate warnings and product recommendations, contributed to the deaths.
Amazon.com, Inc. acknowledged the risks and restricted high-concentration sodium nitrite sales, raising questions about platform responsibility.