Galaxy Gas Lawsuit – April 2025 Update
People are filing Galaxy Gas lawsuits after experiencing severe complications from inhaling nitrous oxide. These lawsuits allege that misuse of the company’s nitrous oxide cartridges can lead to death, cardiac arrest, neurological harm, and other complications.
The legal grounds for this lawsuit are that Galaxy Gas’ maker, against SBK International, LLC, specifically designs its products to be misused, knows its products are misused, and fails to warn people about the dangers of inhaling nitrous oxide.
Individuals who have experienced neurological harm, mental health disorders, and physical injuries after taking Galaxy Gas say they were not properly warned about these dangerous side effects by SBK International. As a result of huffing Galaxy Gas, many people suffered financial, physical, and mental setbacks. In an effort to gain compensation for these losses, people are filing lawsuits against Galaxy Gas.
Galaxy Gas Lawsuit – April 2025 News and Updates
April 26, 2025: FDA Warns of Dangers of Inhaling Nitrous Oxide
The U.S. FDA has issued a warning to consumers about the dangers of recreational nitrous oxide. The warning features a picture of a Galaxy Gas canister. The warning tells consumers that using these products to experience a high can lead to a range of negative health outcomes, including palpitations, paralysis, psychiatric disturbances, trouble walking, B-12 deficiency, nerve damage, and death.
February 7, 2025: Family in Florida Sues to Halt Nitrous Oxide Sales After Loved One Died
Margaret Caldwell’s family sued Galaxy Gas and other nitrous oxide manufacturers after she died because of nitrous oxide misuse. Margaret’s family reports that she was addicted to Galaxy Gas and similar products, which she would purchase at local smoke shops. Her family had expressed concern about how often she would inhale the gas every day. Margaret’s family recalls that she had told them she was purchasing it legally, and it “must not be dangerous because it was so easy to buy.” Margaret’s family is asking authorities to halt all sales of Galaxy Gas due to the national health crisis it has caused.
September 25, 2024: More Reports Emerge of Viral Videos of People Misusing Galaxy Gas as Nitrous Oxide Deaths and Injuries Increase
Viral videos of nitrous oxide misuse are making their way through the United States, fueling a surge in injuries and deaths due to overdoses and accidents. While a spokesperson said they were “deeply concerned” about the misuse of nitrous oxide amongst its customers, Galaxy Gas did not explain why it is selling its “culinary use only” product at smoke shops. Galaxy Gas said it had paused all sales of its whipped cream chargers at that time. However, this action was short-lived. Galaxy Gas has since resumed sales of its dangerous whipped cream charges, despite the known risks. As people file more lawsuits across the United States, Galaxy Gas and other brands will be called to account for their marketing, sales, and other practices that have contributed to an increase in injuries to children, teens, and young adults.
May 28, 2024: Louisiana Is First State to Ban Galaxy Gas and Nitrous Oxide Retail Sales
Louisiana’s government banned the retail sales of Galaxy Gas and other nitrous oxide products. Lawmakers took this step after discovering the widespread misuse of nitrous oxide gas to get high. The sharp increase in misuse has led to many hospitalizations, accidents, and deaths throughout the state. Louisiana officials are allowing minimal exceptions to the ban, only allowing those who have an authorized medical purpose to purchase nitrous oxide.
September 25, 2023: Louisiana Woman’s Fiancé Is Found Dead Hooked Up to Nitrous Oxide Tank
Ashley Broha found her fiancé dead in their house just months before their wedding. When Ashley discovered his body in their room, her fiancé had a gas mask over his nose and mouth with “nitrous but no oxygen” streaming into the mask from a large tank. She was appalled when she discovered the shipping labels, nitrous oxide tanks, and masks that her fiancé had apparently purchased without needing to explain why. Ashley expressed frustration and disbelief that, as a dental hygienist, she has to be licensed and her office has to go through multiple steps to purchase these tanks. At the same time, consumers can make casual online sales and have tanks delivered to a hotel or Airbnb with no explanation.
September 9, 2023: Nitrous Oxide Manufacturer Ordered To Pay $745 Million After Whip-It! Car Crash Kills Pedestrian
Marissa Politte’s family sued after a driver high on Whip-It! (a nitrous oxide product similar to Galaxy Gas) hit Marissa as she was walking to her car after work. The 20-year-old driver, Trenton Geiger, completely lost consciousness after he took a hit of whippets after purchasing them at a local smoke shop. The jury awarded Melissa’s family a wrongful death settlement, finding the manufacturer and the smoke shop to be 90 percent at fault for Marissa’s death.
About the Galaxy Gas Lawsuit:
What Does Galaxy Gas Do To You?
Galaxy Gas Side Effects and Health Risks
Galaxy Gas’ Marketing Strategy and Online Sales Tactics
Who Qualifies to File a Galaxy Gas Lawsuit?
How Can I File a Galaxy Gas Lawsuit?
Galaxy Gas Lawsuit Statute of Limitations
Galaxy Gas Settlement and Payout Amounts
What Is Galaxy Gas?
Galaxy Gas is a brand of flavored and unflavored nitrous oxide gas canisters sold by SBK International, LLC. The company was founded in 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. Their products are labeled for culinary use, but many people inhale nitrous oxide to experience temporary euphoria.
Historically, nitrous oxide has been used in culinary and medical settings, such as to propel whipped cream out of the can, and in dentists’ offices to lightly sedate patients. However, many people, especially teens and young adults, have misused Galaxy Gas because of the feelings of dizziness, euphoria, and mild hallucinations that it causes.
Additionally, many nitrous oxide companies have marketed this drug as being safe and fun for young adults and teens, particularly in the party scene. Brand-name and off-brand Galaxy Gas and Whip-Its have been sold in a variety of flavors in smoke shops and gas stations across the country. Consumers can also buy Galaxy Gas products on the company website or at online retailers such as Amazon.
What Does Galaxy Gas Do To You?
Inhaling Galaxy Gas can have immediate psychoactive effects because the gas displaces oxygen in a person’s system, which can cause lightheadedness, euphoria, hallucinations, and an intense but short-lived “high.” Galaxy Gas’s effects may only last a couple of minutes, but during that time, the person may be unable to walk, talk, think clearly, drive, or perform other tasks.
Some people who take nitrous oxide may completely lose consciousness or experience cardiac or neurological disturbances, like dizziness, profound confusion, psychosis, or a heart attack. Inhaling nitrous oxide directly from the canister is especially dangerous because the person consuming this gas is getting a higher, and potentially deadly, concentration level.
Why Is Galaxy Gas Being Sued?
Galaxy Gas’ maker, SBK International, and other brands of nitrous oxide are being sued because they are selling a dangerous product without warning others of the risks. Teens, young adults, and children are getting hurt because they are using Galaxy Gas, which has been marketed to young people. The product is portrayed as a way to party and as being fun, safe, and trendy.
Allegation #1: Deceptive Marketing Practices
People who are filing lawsuits against Galaxy Gas believe the brand leaned on deceptive marketing strategies to encourage people to use nitrous oxide recreationally. For example, cartridges of Galaxy Gas are sold in smoke shops, come in a variety of flavors, and have vibrant, youth-centric packaging.
While the product is labeled for culinary use, the fact that it has been sold in vast quantities in smoke shops undermines this claim. Galaxy Gas’ manufacturer appears to have followed the same playbook as Big Tobacco companies, downplaying the notable risks of using the product in hopes of gaining more sales and profits.
Allegation #2: Failure to Provide Adequate Warnings
Young people and parents claim that Galaxy Gas products should have sufficient warnings on their packages so consumers are aware of the risks. Many people do not know that the nitrous oxide in Galaxy Gas chargers can cause nerve damage, psychosis, loss of consciousness, addiction, and paralysis.
Some people have even died after using nitrous oxide recreationally. Consumers are speaking out and demanding that Galaxy Gas sellers include a proper warning label, cautioning against the potentially lifelong and irreversible harm that nitrous oxide can cause.
Allegation #3: Negligent Distribution
Consumers also accuse Galaxy Gas’s manufacturer, SBK International, LLC, of negligently distributing Galaxy Gas products nationwide. They believe Galaxy Gas manufacturers were aware of the widespread recreational use of the product, yet those who make Galaxy Gas did nothing to protect the public. Instead, the company ramped up production, widened its selection and reach, and boosted sales to non-culinary and non-medical users in smoke shops and online.
Consumers point to many instances where young users could access nitrous oxide canisters without showing they have a medical or culinary use for doing so. Parents also claim that many teenagers or young adults could purchase Galaxy Gas without being asked to verify their ages.
Galaxy Gas Side Effects and Health Risks
Galaxy Gas misuse can cause a range of side effects and complications, some of which can come on immediately and be potentially fatal. The short-term side effects of Galaxy Gas include the following:
- Euphoria
- Blurry vision
- Numbness or tingling
- Distorted sensations (like muffled sound)
- Lack of oxygen to the brain
- Mild to moderate hallucinations
- Fainting or dizziness
- Slurred speech
- Coordination challenges
Additionally, even young, healthy people may experience severe complications from using Galaxy gas, such as:
- Myelopathy induced by a lack of Vitamin B12
- Memory, sleep, and mood disturbances
- Frostbite from using chilled canisters of nitrous oxide
- Addiction to or dependence on nitrous oxide
- Mental health symptoms, including depression, psychosis, anxiety, and hallucinations
If someone uses nitrous oxide recreationally for an extended period of time, they may experience more intense or longer-lasting complications. For example, inhaling too much nitrous oxide can keep your body from using Vitamin B12, which can cause damage to your brain and spinal cord. These more severe side effects may also occur if the user inhales a high concentration or amount of nitrous oxide at once or in quick succession.
Galaxy Gas’ Marketing Strategy and Online Sales Tactics
The Galaxy Gas brand asserts that it is only for culinary use. However, its business practices and marketing campaigns have told a different story.
For example, Galaxy Gas packaging features bold colors and phrases that are known to be appealing to young users. These images and words appear to align with the young, reckless, fun, party scene, where people can get high and have a good time with friends. Moreover, Galaxy Gas has sold nitrous oxide canisters in large quantities, which suggests it anticipates users will use this for something other than as a food propellant. In all, these trends are leading to recreational use that can cause nerve damage, car accidents, mental health problems, and even death.
Flashy Branding and Packaging
The Galaxy Gas brand is known for its flashy, multicolored packaging, which often features stars, rainbow colors, nebulas, and galaxies. The nitrous oxide gas products come in a wide variety of flavors, including Mango Smoothie, Blue Raspberry, Strawberry Cream, and Tropical Punch. As was seen with vaping, these flavors and marketing tactics are known to attract teens and young adults. Galaxy Gas has been sold at head shops, smoke shops, and online, often without a meaningful process to verify someone’s age or their reason for purchasing it.
Social Media and Influencer Marketing
Galaxy Gas also benefits from influencers and celebrities on social media who put videos of themselves or others using nitrous oxide gas to get high. These videos have gone viral and fueled a surge in misuse, particularly amongst young adults and teens.
The Galaxy Gas brand has profited from these dangerous trends and continues to create more products to fulfill the demand. While Galaxy Gas expressed an intention to halt sales in September 2024, their nitrous oxide products can still be purchased online.
Merchandise, Loyalty Programs, and Sales Promos
Galaxy Gas also offered promotions, loyalty programs, and subscription discounts, encouraging people to purchase Galaxy Gas products frequently and rewarding them for doing so. Additionally, they offered discounts, oversized canisters, and bulk sales promotions to incentivize people to make large orders of nitrous oxide canisters and merchandise. These practices drove and catered to recreational misuse of nitrous oxide, rather than what the manufacturers say are legitimate culinary uses.
Who Qualifies to File a Galaxy Gas Lawsuit?
Anyone who was harmed or lost a loved one because of Galaxy Gas misuse may be eligible for a lawsuit and compensation. This includes parents, young adults, teenagers, and children. If the victim is under 18, an adult who is or has been appointed as their guardian (such as a parent or a court-appointed guardian ad litem) may file the claim. King Law can review your case and help you determine if you meet the eligibility criteria for filing a nitrous oxide lawsuit.
How Can I File a Galaxy Gas Lawsuit?
You can file a Galaxy Gas lawsuit by completing the steps below:
- Talk to a lawyer to determine if you meet the eligibility criteria
- Gather evidence and put it into a legal complaint
- File the formal complaint and serve it on the defendants
- Negotiate a settlement with the Galaxy Gas manufacturer
- Receive a payout or go to trial to fight for a verdict in your favor
King Law can help you understand and complete the formal steps involved in the Galaxy Gas lawsuit. We have years of hands-on trial experience, and we are unafraid of taking on large companies, like SBK International, to fight for the little guys.
Galaxy Gas Lawsuit Statute of Limitations
Parents and young people need to file their Galaxy Gas lawsuit before the statute of limitations expires. The statute of limitations is a filing deadline someone must follow when initiating a lawsuit. Typically, a plaintiff (injured person or their surviving loved one) has 1 to 3 years to bring a legal claim.
However, if the victim is a minor or was a minor when the incident occurred, the law would give them longer to file than if they were an adult when they were harmed. A seasoned personal injury lawyer can help consumers by explaining the deadline in their specific situations and guiding them on how to meet it.
Galaxy Gas Settlement and Payout Amounts
The value of a Galaxy Gas settlement depends on the circumstances involved in the victim’s case. For example, parents who are filing a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of their child who died due to nitrous oxide misuse may receive a higher payout.
King Law estimates that some successful claimants may qualify for between $50,000 and $250,000 or more in some situations. However, the final value of the claim depends on many different factors that cannot be generalized.
Contact King Law For a Free Case Review
If you were harmed or your loved one was killed by nitrous oxide misuse, you may be eligible for compensation from the companies that made the products. Many believe SBK International—the company that manufactures Galaxy Gas—and other nitrous oxide makers were negligent in how they marketed, sold, packaged, and labeled their products. Many claim SBK International knows about the incredible and potentially irreversible risks to young people, yet they do nothing to protect consumers.
Call King Law today at 585-496-2648 to schedule a free case review. We can help you learn about your legal rights and develop a plan to seek the compensation you deserve.