Beasley Allen, along with its co-counsel C.A. Goldberg, PLLC, recently secured a win at the motion to dismiss stage on behalf of four families. These families tragically lost their loved ones due to an Alabama company allegedly marketing and selling sodium nitrite—a dangerous chemical with no known household use.

What is Sodium Nitrite?

Sodium Nitrite is a type of salt with the chemical formula NaNO₂. It looks like a white or light yellow crystal-like powder and it dissolves easily in water. It also soaks up moisture from the air.

• Uses: Sodium nitrite is used as a preservative in processed meats and fish products. It’s also used to make dyes, pharmaceuticals, and in organic chemistry labs.
• Toxicity: It’s important to use it carefully. Ingesting large amounts is harmful and likely deadly, leading to a condition called methemoglobinemia, which reduces the blood’s ability to carry oxygen.
• Safety: Handling sodium nitrite requires extreme precautions. It harmful and likely deadly if inhaled or absorbed through the skin.

Knowledge and Negligence

Duda Energy had known since 2019 that its sodium nitrite had no household use and was being promoted on suicide forums like SanctionedSuicide. Despite this knowledge, the company continued to sell the chemical without requiring a business license or implementing other precautionary measures. A Duda executive even admitted in a 2019 letter that the company was aware of the product’s use in suicides but chose to continue selling it as a business decision.

Importance & Future Implications

The recent win at the motion to dismiss stage is a crucial step in seeking justice for the affected families. It highlights the importance of corporate responsibility and the need for stringent regulations to prevent such tragedies. This victory not only brings hope to the families involved but also sets a precedent for future cases involving the irresponsible marketing and sale of dangerous products.

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