Beyond the Headache: Lawsuits Against Tylenol for Its Alleged Side Effects

by | Jul 15, 2024 | Tylenol Lawsuits

Headache Lawsuits Against Tylenol

Tylenol is one of the most used pain relievers in the world, whose active ingredient is acetaminophen. A previous study by the NIH suggested a potential link between maternal use of its active ingredient and an increased risk of autism in neonates. However, an April 2024 study by the NIH showed no such connection.

Concerns about the possibility of acetaminophen causing autism in children have led some parents to sue. The so-called Tylenol class action lawsuits go against the drug manufacturers and retailers who sold the drugs.

Our product liability attorneys at People For Law are reviewing Tylenol lawsuits for autism for hundreds of parents. Parents who took paracetamol for more than 30 days and have a child diagnosed with autism must seek legal justice.

Potentially, thousands of parents are planning to file lawsuits against Tylenol manufacturers over the drug’s alleged link to autism.

Research Links Tylenol to Autism

Several peer-reviewed studies have shown that exposure to acetaminophen during pregnancy increases the likelihood of autism.

Specifically, research from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg Public School analyzed data from the Boston Birth Cohort. They did a long-term study of the factors that influence pregnancy and child development.

The researcher measured the amount of acetaminophen and two of its byproducts in samples collected from umbilical cord blood. They found that, on average, when the children were 8.9 years old, 6.6% were diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder.

Additionally, the study authors classified the amount of acetaminophen and its derivatives into thirds, from lowest to highest. Compared to children exposed to the least amount of acetaminophen in utero, those with exposure in the middle third were two times more likely to develop autism. Similarly, those in the highest exposure group were three times more likely to develop autism.

The 2019 study concluded that the results support previous studies. This links acetaminophen exposure in utero with autism and highlights the need for additional research.

Is Acetaminophen Safe During Pregnancy?

While low-dose acetaminophen is generally considered safe for pregnancy, doctors have long warned against long-term use of acetaminophen during pregnancy. The threshold for Tylenol class action lawsuits is 30 days of use. The long-term use of acetaminophen and autism is still being examined. Results may take years to become available.

Several risks come from an untreated fever during pregnancy. If you have a fever or pain, talk to your doctor about the dangers of acetaminophen during pregnancy.

What Neurological Disorders Can a Child Develop from Using Tylenol During Pregnancy?

Studies have consistently concluded that acetaminophen use during pregnancy may increase the chance of an autism diagnosis.

Scientists and health professionals around the world indicate that the use of Tylenol can contribute to the appearance of disorders and symptoms such as:

  • Autism
  • Hyperactive disorder and attention deficit
  • Language delays
  • Oppositional defiant disorder
  • conduct disorder
  • Decreased executive function
  • Decreased IQ levels

If your child was diagnosed with any of the above, it is worth consulting with an attorney. At People For Law, our mass tort lawyers will be ready to help you.

Is there a Lawsuit Against Tylenol for Autism?

According to Forbes magazine, due to the widespread use of Tylenol, numerous legal cases have been filed. In 2022, a lawsuit was certified, and several Tylenol lawsuits were consolidated into a Multidistrict Litigation (MDL).

In a mass tort, a large group of plaintiffs join together to file a single claim. On the other hand, in an MDL, plaintiffs maintain their claims, but one judge consolidates the cases. This is done to simplify the process of managing multiple cases simultaneously.

Walmart, a multi-channel retailer chain, attempted to dismiss the case against it by arguing that FDA regulations restricted the addition of warning labels. However, these efforts were unsuccessful, and legal proceedings continued in the MDL. This included approving a short complaint that plaintiffs could use to join the case more efficiently and creating a discovery plan to focus on gathering scientific evidence related to prenatal risk exposure.

As of August 2023, hundreds of claims were pending in federal courts. Additional defendants such as Johnson & Johnson, Family Dollar, 7-Eleven, and Dollar Tree had been named. Many cases were also ongoing in state courts, separate from the federal multidistrict litigation. This ongoing nature of the legal proceedings ensures that the families are kept informed about the progress of their cases.

While the Tylenol class action lawsuits are in the early stages, our attorneys have begun bringing cases for families affected by these negligent drug manufacturers. We represented clients who used brand-name and generic versions of Tylenol (acetaminophen) medications. The potential outcomes of these lawsuits could bring significant changes and justice to the affected families.

Who Can File an Acetaminophen Lawsuit?

Mothers who took Tylenol or generic brands of acetaminophen products may qualify for product liability lawsuits against drug manufacturers. We are accepting clients who:

  • Took Tylenol for 30 days or more during pregnancy
  • Having a child medically diagnosed with autism

Plaintiffs will have more substantial claims if they can prove that they took high-dose Tylenol during pregnancy and have no family history of autism, pregnancy complications, or other potential risk factors.

How Can a Lawyer Help?

Filing a lawsuit against the manufacturers of acetaminophen will be a monumental undertaking. Parents should hire a team with the resources and knowledge to file these claims and ensure their families receive fair compensation.

Autism is not a monolith. There are varying degrees of autism and how much intervention an autistic person may need. In more severe cases, parents may need to discover appropriate interventions to help their autistic children navigate the world. These interventions are usually expensive. A Tylenol class action lawsuit attorney can help parents recover some of the costs of previous interventions, as well as prepare children for long-term care plans.

We Can Help You with Your Tylenol Case

The product liability lawyers at People For Law are well aware of the risks associated with acetaminophen, especially its potential harm to consumers. Our firm has successfully handled numerous significant lawsuits against companies that prioritize profits over people’s safety. Our attorneys specialize in mass tort and MDL claims and will be available to study your case. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.