Nitrous Oxide Injury & Wrongful Death Lawsuits

Nitrous oxide lawsuits are being filed, raising allegations that manufacturers and distributors of flavored NO products engaged in negligent and deceptive practices, targeting young consumers while failing to provide warnings about the serious risks. These claims focus on high-volume canisters sold under brand names like Galaxy Gas, Looper Whip, Cosmic Gas, FastGas, and Whip-It, which were widely distributed through smoke shops and online head stores.

Rather than being used for any legitimate culinary purpose, these products were flavored, brightly packaged, and frequently sold alongside balloons and inhalation devices, clear indications of their intended recreational use. Manufacturers promoted them through social media campaigns, influencer endorsements, and youth-oriented branding that made the products appealing to teenagers and young adults.

Despite growing evidence of abuse, companies failed to include adequate warnings about the risks of addiction, nerve damage, paralysis, or fatal oxygen deprivation. Many of the reported injuries and deaths involve individuals who regularly used these products without knowing the long-term neurological dangers. These outcomes are not isolated accidents. They are the foreseeable consequences of a marketing strategy that prioritized profit over safety.

Who Can File a Nitrous Oxide Lawsuit?

You may qualify for a nitrous oxide lawsuit if you or a loved one suffered serious injuries or death after using canisters for recreational inhalation. Nitrous oxide injury lawyers are reviewing claims for individuals who:

• Suffered nerve damage, brain injury, spinal cord damage, or paralysis
• Developed a dependency or addiction following repeated nitrous oxide inhalation
• Regularly used flavored or oversized nitrous oxide tanks for recreational use
• Purchased nitrous oxide canisters from smoke or vape shops
• Lost a loved one due to complications from nitrous oxide misuse

For a free, confidential consultation, contact our nitrous oxide lawyers at 1-800-522-0102 or by filling out the form by clicking here.

Recreational Nitrous Oxide Addiction

Nitrous oxide, commonly referred to as “laughing gas” or “whippets”, is a colorless, odorless gas traditionally used in medical and food service settings. In dental offices, it helps manage pain. In commercial kitchens, it acts as a propellant for whipped cream dispensers. However, outside of these controlled environments, nitrous oxide has become widely misused as a recreational drug.

What was once a legitimate tool in hospitals and commercial kitchens is now being widely misused by teenagers and young adults as a way to get high. The gas is typically inhaled from balloons filled using pressurized canisters, which are now sold in large volumes and often in flavored varieties through smoke shops, online marketplaces, and gas stations.

The danger lies in how quickly occasional use turns into a pattern. Since the high lasts only seconds, users often inhale repeatedly in one sitting. This pattern of use can quickly lead to compulsive behavior and dependence. The chasing of the euphoric feeling coupled with the enticing product flavors, attractive packaging, and normalization of use on social media platforms has contributed to growing rates of nitrous oxide misuse.

FDA and State Health Warnings About Nitrous Oxide Abuse

In June 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) expanded a public safety advisory warning consumers about the serious health risks of nitrous oxide use. According to the FDA, regular inhalation of nitrous oxide can result in a wide range of severe health consequences, including:

• Nerve damage
• Brain and spinal cord injury
• Vitamin B12 deficiency and blood disorders
• Psychiatric disturbances, including paranoia and hallucinations
• Asphyxiation, limb weakness, and loss of consciousness
• Permanent disability or death

The FDA emphasized that even those who stop using nitrous oxide can suffer significant risks of prolonged neurological damage, stating:

“For some individuals who regularly inhale nitrous oxide, this habit can lead to prolonged neurological effects, including spinal cord or brain damage, even after stopping use.”

The agency warned that the products are now being sold on Amazon, eBay, Walmart, and in smoke shops, gas stations, convenience stores and online stores across the country, typically with no age restrictions or safety disclosures.

State health officials are also tracking the trend. In Michigan, reports of nitrous oxide-related injuries increased by 533% between 2019 and 2024, and emergency room visits rose by 757% over a similar period. These numbers prompted a public health warning from Michigan’s chief medical officer, who noted that nitrous oxide is contributing to a broader pattern of multi-substance abuse among teens and young adults.

To make matters worse, there is currently no standard drug screening test that detects nitrous oxide, making diagnosis more difficult in clinical settings, leaving many families only learn what happened after serious, sometimes irreversible, harm has occurred.

Nitrous Oxide Product Brands Sold For Inhalation Abuse

In its expanded 2025 safety advisory, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned consumers not to inhale nitrous oxide from any size tanks, whipped cream canisters, or whipped cream chargers, including those sold as flavored or unflavored culinary propellants.

The FDA highlighted that these products are widely available through smoke shops, online marketplaces, and gas stations, and are often misrepresented as being intended only for food preparation. However, their packaging, flavoring, and sales tactics indicate a clear pattern of recreational misuse.

According to the FDA, nitrous oxide products may be sold under the following brand names, including but not limited to:

• Baking Bad
• Cloud 9ine
• Cosmic Gas
• Euro Gas
• ExoticWhip
• FastGas
• Galaxy Gas
• Goo Sticks
• HOTWHIP
• InfusionMax
• MassGass
• Miami Magic
• Monster Gas
• NITROX
• Whip-it!

Side Effects and Symptoms of Nitrous Oxide Inhalation

While nitrous oxide is often perceived as harmless due to its medical and culinary uses, repeated recreational inhalation can interfere with essential neurological processes. One of the most critical effects is the disruption of vitamin B12 metabolism, which plays a vital role in maintaining healthy nerve tissue and cognitive function. Over time, this disruption can cause lasting damage to the central and peripheral nervous systems.

As exposure continues, individuals may begin to exhibit signs of neurological decline. These symptoms often develop gradually but can escalate quickly, depending on the frequency and intensity of use.

Common Signs and Symptoms Reported in Nitrous Oxide Users

• Persistent Numbness or Tingling: Sensations often begin in the fingers, hands, feet, or legs. What starts as mild discomfort can progress to chronic numbness or burning sensations.
• Balance and Gait Instability: Users may develop difficulty walking or standing without support. This is often due to nerve degeneration affecting spatial awareness and muscle control.
• Cognitive Impairment: Memory lapses, slowed thinking, and trouble concentrating are frequently reported. These effects may persist even after use has stopped.
• Speech and Vision Changes: Some users experience slurred speech or blurred vision unrelated to intoxication from alcohol or other substances, signaling potential damage to the brainstem or cranial nerves.
• General Muscle Weakness: Fatigue, muscle heaviness, or a noticeable decline in physical coordination may indicate progressing nerve or spinal cord injury.
• Emotional Detachment or Behavioral Shifts: Long-term use can be accompanied by irritability, apathy, or mood swings. These changes may reflect underlying neurological or psychological effects of chronic exposure.
• Episodes of Fainting or Blackouts: Inhaling large quantities without supplemental oxygen can limit oxygen flow to the brain, resulting in sudden collapses or temporary loss of consciousness.

Deceptive Marketing of Nitrous Oxide Products

Despite the well-documented risks of inhaling nitrous oxide, manufacturers and distributors aggressively pushed these products to young consumers, prioritizing profits over safety.

Rather than selling through legitimate culinary suppliers, companies distributed oversized, flavored nitrous oxide canisters directly through vape shops, smoke stores, and online retailers. The products were often given names like “Galaxy Gas” or “Looper,” packaged in colorful designs, and flavored to mimic candy or fruit. These choices were not accidental—they were meant to appeal to teenagers.

Marketing extended beyond packaging. Some brands promoted their products through TikTok influencers and Instagram accounts, normalizing recreational use and portraying it as trendy or harmless. Instructional videos showed users how to fill balloons or use inhalation devices, with no mention of the risks.

Even more concerning, these canisters were routinely sold alongside balloons, metal crackers, and dispensers specifically designed for inhalation—often in the same transaction. While the products were technically labeled for “culinary use,” the branding and sale methods made their true purpose unmistakable.

Manufacturers had access to growing medical literature documenting the neurological risks of recreational nitrous oxide use. They also had access to rising emergency room visit data. Yet they continued to sell these products with no warnings, no age restrictions, and no safeguards.

Allegations Raised in Nitrous Oxide Lawsuits

The nitrous oxide lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. are pursuing claims on behalf of individuals who suffered serious health issues or lost loved ones after repeated abuse of nitrous oxide products, raising allegations that both manufacturers and retailers contributed to these harms by prioritizing sales over safety and failing to take reasonable steps to prevent abuse.

Allegations Against Manufacturers

• Designed and flavored nitrous oxide products to appeal to teenagers and young adults
• Packaged products in colorful, youth-oriented branding with recreational names
• Promoted use through social media and influencer marketing campaigns
• Sold canisters far exceeding typical culinary sizes, encouraging high-volume abuse
• Failed to provide adequate warnings about the health risks of inhalation
• Ignored mounting reports of injuries and fatalities related to their products

Allegations Against Retailers and Distributors

• Sold nitrous oxide canisters in smoke shops and online stores with no age verification
• Displayed products alongside balloons and inhalation tools
• Failed to question repeated or large-volume purchases by visibly young customers
• Provided no educational materials or risk disclosures at point of sale
• Facilitated recreational use despite knowing the products were being abused

What Compensation May Be Available Through a Nitrous Oxide Lawsuit?

If you or a loved one suffered harm from nitrous oxide canisters sold for recreational use, you may be entitled to pursue financial compensation through a lawsuit. These cases are being brought against manufacturers, distributors, and retailers that prioritized profit over safety and failed to provide adequate warnings about the risks of inhalation.

Although every case is different, successful nitrous oxide injury lawsuits may include compensation for a wide range of losses:

• Medical Expenses: Coverage for hospitalization, diagnostic testing, neurological treatment, rehabilitation, and long-term care resulting from nerve or brain damage.
• Lost Wages or Earning Capacity: Compensation for income lost due to time away from work or reduced ability to maintain employment as a result of neurological impairment.
• Ongoing Care or Disability Support: Financial recovery for future care needs, physical assistance, or devices required to manage permanent impairments.
• Mental and Emotional Distress: Compensation for emotional trauma, anxiety, or psychological impact tied to the injury or the development of substance dependency.
• Pain and Suffering: Recovery for the physical pain and diminished quality of life caused by long-term nerve or spinal cord injuries.
• Out-of-Pocket Costs: Reimbursement for equipment, home modifications, transportation, or other expenses related to the injury.

Nitrous Oxide Wrongful Death Lawsuits

In cases where nitrous oxide misuse resulted in a fatal injury, families may have grounds to file a wrongful death lawsuit. These claims seek justice for the preventable loss of life caused by negligent marketing and distribution practices.

Wrongful death lawsuits can help surviving family members recover damages for:

• Funeral and burial expenses
• Loss of financial support previously provided by the deceased
• Loss of companionship or parental guidance
• Mental anguish and emotional suffering
• Medical bills incurred prior to death

These lawsuits are not just about compensation, they are about accountability. When companies ignore mounting evidence of harm and continue to sell dangerous products without safeguards, legal action may be the only way to prevent further loss and force meaningful change.

How Long Do I Have To File a Nitrous Oxide Lawsuit?

The time limit to file a nitrous oxide injury or wrongful death lawsuit is governed by each state’s statute of limitations. These laws set strict deadlines for taking legal action, and in most states, the window ranges from one to three years. Once that period expires, you may lose the ability to file a claim, regardless of how strong the evidence may be.

Several factors can influence when that deadline begins. This may include the date the injury occurred, when symptoms were first noticed, or when the connection between nitrous oxide exposure and the injury was discovered. In wrongful death cases, the deadline may be calculated from the date of death. If the victim was a minor at the time of exposure, additional rules may apply, potentially extending the filing period.

Because these rules vary widely and are strictly enforced, it is important to speak with a qualified attorney as soon as possible. At Saiontz & Kirk, P.A., our legal team can evaluate your case, determine the applicable deadline in your state, and take immediate steps to preserve your right to seek justice and compensation.

How Our Nitrous Oxide Lawyers Can Help

The physical, emotional, and financial toll of a nitrous oxide-related injury can be devastating. Whether you or a loved one has suffered nerve damage, cognitive impairment, or loss of life, navigating the aftermath is never easy—especially when the injury was preventable and caused by a product that never should have been marketed for recreational use.

At Saiontz & Kirk, P.A., our nitrous oxide lawyers are actively investigating cases nationwide involving addiction, neurological damage, and wrongful death linked to recreational nitrous oxide products. With more than $1.3 billion recovered for our clients and decades of experience, we have the resources to pursue maximum compensation on your behalf and hold negligent manufacturers and retailers accountable.

When you choose Saiontz & Kirk, P.A., you can count on:

• Detailed Case Review: We take time to understand how the injury occurred, review medical records, and determine liability based on current litigation.
• End-to-End Legal Handling: From filing deadlines to evidence gathering, our team manages every part of the legal process so you can focus on recovery or supporting your family.
• Aggressive Pursuit of Compensation: We negotiate directly with defendants and insurance carriers to secure a settlement that reflects the full scope of your losses.
• Trial-Ready Representation: If a fair settlement isn’t offered, we are fully prepared to present your case in court and fight for justice in front of a jury.

You don’t have to navigate this alone. Our firm is committed to providing compassionate, experienced legal support from your first call through resolution. Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation.

Are There Any Costs to Hire a Nitrous Oxide Lawyer?

There are no out-of-pocket costs to review your case or hire our attorneys. Nitrous oxide lawsuits are being evaluated nationwide, and all cases are handled on a contingency fee basis.

This means that individuals and families who have suffered injuries or wrongful death can access the experience and resources of Saiontz & Kirk, P.A., regardless of their financial situation.

Through the use of contingency attorney fees, individuals have access to the experience and resources of our national law firm for their nitrous oxide lawsuit.