Senior Partner
Amazon is the largest online retailer in the world and one of the two largest retailers of any kind, competing for that title only with Walmart. Its warehouses store and distribute products all over the country. Injuries from Amazon products therefore occur in every state. Many lawyers assume that cases should be filed where the injuries occurred—but that is not always the best or most appropriate forum.
What Claims Do I Have When Injured by an Amazon Product?
Cases involving defective or dangerous products are termed “products liability” cases. This means that some type of defect in the product or product instructions caused it to be unsafe. More specifically this includes these types of claims:
- Design Defects: Claims that a product’s design is inherently unsafe.
- Manufacturing Defects: Claims that a product was made incorrectly or with faulty materials.
- Failure to Warn: Claims that a product did not come with adequate instructions or warnings about potential risks, or that more warnings should have been given after the sale, such as a recall notice.
Is Amazon Responsible for My Injuries from Its Product?
In 2024, the Consumer Product Safety Commission labeled Amazon a “distributor” and responsible for products under federal law. However, Amazon still claims it is not a product “seller” or “retailer” under state products liability law and therefore cannot be liable to you, the consumer. Because each state has its own products liability law, Amazon can make this argument selectively based on what each state’s law says. In several states, Amazon has won the argument that it is not legally responsible as a “product seller.”
For this reason and others, the state where you file your claim can make a critical difference in the outcome of your case.
Why Bring a Claim Against Amazon in Seattle?
You can usually bring a claim against Amazon where the injury occurred or at Amazon’s corporate headquarters in King County, Seattle, Washington, where Stritmatter Law is located.
There are many reasons why you might bring a claim against Amazon in Seattle:
King County Damages Awards and Settlements:
- King County jurors generally tend to be more open-minded about personal injury cases than many other parts of the country. They are less likely to automatically view such a case as opportunistic, greedy, or a “windfall.”
- King County (and surrounding area) verdicts tend to be higher than most other parts of the country and therefore settlements also tend to be higher. For example:
- Stritmatter Law’s Ride the Ducks crash trial in 2019 generated a $123 million verdict.
- Stritmatter Law obtained a record $21.5 million settlement against King County in 2025.
- Many other very large confidential settlements in claims against large corporations.
- Stritmatter Law’s Ride the Ducks crash trial in 2019 generated a $123 million verdict.
Washington State Law:
- Amazon’s “Conditions of Use” (like a user services agreement) for members states, “Any dispute or claim relating in any way to your use of any Amazon Service will be adjudicated in the state or Federal courts in King County, Washington, and you consent to exclusive jurisdiction and venue in these courts.” While this term is not necessarily enforceable to require you to bring a claim in Seattle or apply Washington law, it does make it difficult to argue that anything other than Washington law should apply to your claim—if you want it to.
- Washington products liability law defines “product sellers” broadly as “any entity that is engaged in the business of selling products.” This makes it harder for Amazon to argue it is not responsible for your injuries—Amazon is registered in Washington State as acting in the retail industry.
These issues are legally complex. You can learn more about Amazon’s liability for dangerous products from a published article by Senior Partner Andrew Ackley.
Washington State Court Systems:
- Often, delay is the greatest defense to a case. King County has many highly experienced judges and systems in place that promote fair and expedient resolution of cases.
- The Division One Court of Appeals and Washington State Supreme Court have adopted some of the strongest consumer protection law in the nation. Decisions by superior court judges are shaped by these appellate court decisions.
- Filing cases against Amazon in Seattle prevents Amazon from removing the case to federal court, which is the preference for most defendants in injury cases.
Regardless of where you live or where you were injured, you should strongly consider bringing your personal injury claim against Amazon in Seattle. Contact Stritmatter Law Firm today for a free case evaluation. We have the experience, expertise, and resources to help. We will review your situation, explain your options, and fight to hold the right parties accountable.