Washington Supreme Court Rules Amazon Must Face Lawsuits Over Sodium Nitrite Sales

The Washington State Supreme Court has ruled that Amazon must defend itself against lawsuits filed by families whose relatives died after ingesting high-concentration sodium nitrite purchased through third-party sellers on the company’s platform. The unanimous decision marks a significant development in legal accountability for online marketplaces.

In a 9–0 ruling, the court overturned an earlier appeals court decision that had shielded Amazon from negligence claims. The lower court had argued that suicide constituted a “superseding cause” of death, absolving the company of liability. However, the state’s highest court rejected that reasoning, stating that a jury should determine whether the deaths were a foreseeable result of the company’s conduct.

Writing for the court, Justice G. Helen Whitener stated that retailers have a duty to exercise reasonable care to protect customers from foreseeable harm, including risks arising from third-party actions. The court emphasised that jurors must evaluate whether Amazon failed to take adequate steps to restrict access to highly concentrated sodium nitrite and whether such harm could have been anticipated.

Twenty-eight families have filed lawsuits under Washington state product liability law, alleging that Amazon was aware of links between sodium nitrite and suicide cases but continued allowing unrestricted sales by third-party vendors. The plaintiffs are seeking unspecified damages.

The ruling specifically addresses appeals involving four families whose relatives, aged between 17 and 27, died in 2020 and 2021 after consuming sodium nitrite with purity levels ranging from 98% to 99.6%.

Sodium nitrite is a legal chemical widely used as a preservative in processed meats and fish. It also has legitimate uses in laboratory settings and as a treatment for cyanide poisoning. However, in highly concentrated form, it can be lethal if ingested.

Amazon responded by expressing sympathy for the affected families while disagreeing with the court’s decision. The company stated that highly concentrated sodium nitrite is not intended for consumption and can be misused. It added that it has since prohibited the sale of sodium nitrite exceeding 10% purity on its platform.

The ruling comes amid growing legal scrutiny of online marketplaces and their responsibility for products sold by third-party vendors. Courts across the United States are increasingly examining whether digital platforms should be held accountable when products sold through their systems cause harm.

Legal experts say the decision could influence future litigation involving e-commerce platforms and product safety. If juries find that harm was foreseeable and preventive measures were insufficient, online retailers may face stricter obligations regarding product listings and seller oversight.

The case underscores evolving legal standards in the digital marketplace era, where consumer protection, platform accountability, and product safety continue to shape regulatory and judicial debates.