Washington Supreme Court allows lawsuits against Amazon over sodium nitrite suicide deaths to proceed

Reference TimelineLast updated FEB 19
SUMMARY

The Washington Supreme Court has ruled that families can pursue lawsuits against Amazon over deaths linked to sodium nitrite purchased on the platform. The court found that Amazon could be held liable for selling the chemical, which has legitimate uses but is also lethal in high concentrations, and that the act of suicide does not automatically preclude claims under state product liability law. This decision allows 28 families to proceed with their cases, alleging Amazon knew of the product's misuse for suicides and facilitated harm through its sales practices.

Timeline

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February 2026 — 1 developments

  1. The Washington Supreme Court unanimously ruled that families can pursue claims against Amazon over deaths linked to sodium nitrite purchased on its platform.

    The Washington Supreme Court unanimously ruled that families can pursue claims against Amazon over deaths linked to sodium nitrite purchased on its platform. The court found that Amazon could be liable and that suicide does not automatically break the chain of legal responsibility, allowing the cases to proceed to trial.

November 2025 — 1 developments

  1. A Washington court of appeals had previously held that Amazon could not be held liable, stating the …

    A Washington court of appeals had previously held that Amazon could not be held liable, stating the Washington Product Liability Act does not impose a duty on sellers to prevent intentional misuse and questioning causation. This ruling was being appealed to the Washington Supreme Court.

September 2025 — 1 developments

  1. The Washington Supreme Court heard oral arguments in consolidated lawsuits seeking to hold Amazon liable for suicides involving sodium nitrite purchased from its website.

    The Washington Supreme Court heard oral arguments in consolidated lawsuits seeking to hold Amazon liable for suicides involving sodium nitrite purchased from its website. Plaintiffs argued that Amazon knew of the product's misuse and promoted it alongside other items that could facilitate suicide.

February 2024 — 1 developments

  1. A lawsuit was filed by a Camas, Washington family whose 15-year-old son, Tyler Schmidt, died in 2020 after purchasing high-purity sodium nitrite from Amazon.

    A lawsuit was filed by a Camas, Washington family whose 15-year-old son, Tyler Schmidt, died in 2020 after purchasing high-purity sodium nitrite from Amazon. The suit highlighted that Amazon was aware of individuals, including minors, using the product for suicide since at least 2018.

June 2023 — 1 developments

  1. A federal district court dismissed a similar lawsuit against Amazon, ruling that the company could not be held liable.

    A federal district court dismissed a similar lawsuit against Amazon, ruling that the company could not be held liable. This ruling, however, was not binding on Washington state courts.

March 2023 — 1 developments

  1. A complaint was filed alleging two more deaths in 2020 involving an 18 and 19-year-old who ingested sodium nitrite purchased from Amazon.

    A complaint was filed alleging two more deaths in 2020 involving an 18 and 19-year-old who ingested sodium nitrite purchased from Amazon. The lawsuit accused Amazon of selling the chemical and offering related products like Tagamet (an anti-vomit medication) and a suicide instruction book, effectively creating "suicide kits."

November 2022 — 1 developments

  1. Amazon began limiting sales of highly concentrated sodium nitrite to business customers, after previ…

    Amazon began limiting sales of highly concentrated sodium nitrite to business customers, after previously facing allegations of continuing to sell the product despite warnings about its use in suicides.

January 2020 — 1 developments

  1. Two teenagers, aged 18 and 19, ingested sodium nitrite purchased from Amazon in 2020, leading to their deaths.

    Two teenagers, aged 18 and 19, ingested sodium nitrite purchased from Amazon in 2020, leading to their deaths. These incidents were part of a series of cases where families alleged Amazon sold highly concentrated sodium nitrite, a chemical lethal in high doses, and bundled it with other products that could facilitate suicide.