WASHINGTON COURT ALLOWS LAWSUIT AGAINST AMAZON OVER SUICIDE DEATHS TO MOVE FORWARD. (PHOTO).

Washington court allows lawsuit against Amazon over suicide deaths to move forward

   The Washington Supreme Court ruled Feb. 19 that a wrongful death lawsuit against Amazon can proceed, allowing families who lost loved ones to suicide after ingesting sodium nitrite purchased through the site to move forward with their claims.

Twenty-eight families filed the lawsuits, alleging Amazon sold the chemical without proper warnings or safeguards and promoted products that could facilitate suicide. While sodium nitrite is commonly used for meat curing and metal finishing, the cases involve high-purity versions—98% or greater—sold online without age verification. The families contend Amazon was aware the chemical was being misused for suicide but continued to allow sales.

Amazon had sought to dismiss the case, arguing it could not be held liable because the deaths were the result of suicide and that it had no duty to prevent misuse. An Amazon spokesperson said the company is committed to a “safe shopping experience” and requires sellers to follow applicable laws. The company began restricting sales of sodium nitrite above 10% concentration last year.

The state’s high court determined that suicide does not automatically bar liability under Washington’s Product Liability Act, noting that questions of foreseeability and responsibility will be addressed later in the legal process. The ruling reverses a prior appeals court decision that dismissed the claims, reinstating a trial court ruling allowing the case to move forward. Advocacy group Electronic Privacy Information Center filed a brief supporting the families, citing Amazon’s data collection practices as potentially relevant to identifying harmful product use.