17-Year-Old from West Virginia Ends Life with Amazon Suicide Kit – Parents are Still Seeking Justice

Amazon has faced numerous lawsuits over the years for a wide variety of reasons. But no matter what happens, the tech company tends to dodge liability with its age-old “shopping mall” defense. In this defense, Amazon claims that it is not a direct seller – but merely a “platform” from which third-parties can distribute their items. This, they claim, is no different than a shopping mall leasing out its space to retailers. As a result, they insist that they cannot be held liable for injuries caused by their products. Usually, this argument is enough to convince most judges. But a growing number of children are ordering everything that they need to kill themselves on Amazon – and one victim hailed from West Virginia. Could Amazon be sued for selling teens these so-called “suicide kits?” One set of parents certainly hopes so.

Amazon Is Selling Amazon Nitrite to Teens Who Want to Kill Themselves 

In 2021, a 17-year-old child in West Virginia committed suicide with sodium nitrite he had purchased on Amazon. This chemical represents one of the most popular ways for people to kill themselves in the modern era. When the teen’s parents found out where he had purchased the chemical, they decided to sue Amazon. They first sued in Alameda County Superior Court in 2022, and the case was then removed to the North District of California. Finally in early 2023, a US district judge ruled that the case should be moved instead to the District of Western Washington, where Amazon’s headquarters are located.

Once again, the problem is whether Amazon can dodge liability through its “shopping mall” defense. The chemical company that sold the sodium nitrite through Amazon has already removed the product from the online platform. They have also removed all mention of the product from their website. Despite their apparent involvement, the chemical company has been dismissed from the case without prejudice. This leaves only one option for the parents seeking justice: Successfully sue Amazon. In a statement, they pointed out that Amazon earned a profit of $2.39 from the sale of the sodium nitrite – the same chemical that the teen used to end his life.

Will this lawsuit prove successful? It’s too early to tell. But due to the dramatic and emotional nature of this incident, it’s clear that the court will be more than willing to sympathize with the plaintiffs.

Where Can I Find a Qualified Personal Injury Attorney in West Virginia? 

If you’ve been searching for a qualified personal injury attorney in West Virginia, look no further than Brian G. Miller CO., LPA. Over the years, we have helped numerous injured plaintiffs strive for the best possible results in a highly confident manner. Whether you have ordered your items from Amazon or in person at a brick-and-mortar store, you deserve to pursue justice for the damage these products may have caused. Book your consultation today and move forward with your product liability lawsuit efficiently.

Source: 

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