Tylenol Autism Lawsuit

As of April 2024, 562 cases were pending in multidistrict litigation. Cases in MDL 3043 are before Judge Denise L. Cote of the Southern District of New York. They’re moving through the discovery phase, and lawyers are gathering scientific evidence from experts on Tylenol and autism.

While lawyers have yet to settle or bring to trial an acetaminophen autism lawsuit, they believe settlement amounts may land between $300,000 and $600,000. They also believe it’s possible juries could issue verdicts in the millions. Families can use this compensation to pay for medical care and other costs and to compensate for lost wages.

Several studies have linked acetaminophen exposure in the womb to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, and autism spectrum disorders. In 2021, the journal Nature published a consensus statement saying research suggests that prenatal exposure to acetaminophen may increase the risks of some neurodevelopmental disorders. The consensus, supported by 91 scientists and doctors, recommended cautioning pregnant women at the beginning of a pregnancy to avoid Tylenol unless its use is medically recommended.

A 2019 study by researchers at Johns Hopkins University tested acetaminophen levels in umbilical cord blood samples from nearly 1,000 births. The amount of acetaminophen in the blood samples correlated with increased risks of autism spectrum disorder, or ASD, and ADHD. Children with higher levels of acetaminophen were about 2.26 times more likely to have an ADHD diagnosis and 2.14 times more likely to have an ASD diagnosis.

The Johns Hopkins findings followed a 2018 meta-analysis in the American Journal of Epidemiology, which found that children exposed to acetaminophen in the womb had a 34% increased risk of developing ADHD, a 19% risk of autism and a 24% chance of hyperactivity symptoms.

One mother filed the first Tylenol autism lawsuit on behalf of her children in June 2022 against Walmart. Since then, more than 100 other plaintiffs have filed acetaminophen autism claims against Johnson & Johnson and retailers that sold generic acetaminophen products.

Allegations in a Tylenol autism lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson include that the company knew, or should have known, that scientific evidence shows acetaminophen may increase the risk of ASD and ADHD. In the claim, the mother says J&J should have warned consumers about the risks of taking Tylenol during pregnancy. Instead, the company marketed the drug as safe to take throughout pregnancy, despite evidence that it increases the risk of ASD and ADHD.

Other people have filed Tylenol autism lawsuits against stores that sold generic acetaminophen products, including CVS, Costco, Family Dollar, Rite Aid, Safeway, Sam’s Warehouse, Target, Walgreens and Walmart. J&J was the first company to mass produce acetaminophen in 1959 after acquiring the pharmaceutical company that invented it.

The first step in filing a Tylenol autism lawsuit is speaking with a qualified attorney. Personal injury attorneys with a background in product liability law seek Tylenol autism cases.

Look for a qualified attorney with experience handling cases in multidistrict litigation, known as MDL. Tylenol autism lawsuits were consolidated into MDL No. 3043 in the Southern District of New York by Judge Denise L. Cote.

Qualified attorneys will help you collect medical records and other evidence required to file a claim. They’ll help you fill out the Plaintiff Fact Sheet adopted by Cote, a form that contains eligibility questions and questions about your medical history.

To join the Tylenol autism MDL, your attorney will submit the short-form complaint required by the court. Short-form complaints establish a uniform claim format that new plaintiffs used to join an MDL. They streamline bringing new plaintiffs into the MDL.

If you or your child were diagnosed with ADHD or an autism spectrum disorder after being exposed to acetaminophen in the womb, you may be eligible to file a Tylenol autism lawsuit. Besides a diagnosis of ADHD or ASD, exposure to Tylenol must have occurred during the second or third trimester of pregnancy. Parents or legal guardians may file on behalf of minors who are younger than age 18.

Before speaking to an attorney, gather your medical records that document that you or your child received an ADHD or ASD diagnosis. Also assemble any proof that you consumed Tylenol or a generic version of acetaminophen during pregnancy. An example of evidence includes medical records advising the use of Tylenol for pain during pregnancy.

A Tylenol autism lawyer can advise you on whether you qualify to sue. Attorneys usually offer free consultations to review your case. They will ask about your medical records and history of exposure to acetaminophen, including how many doses you consumed.

Tylenol autism lawsuits brought media attention to the potential causes of autism spectrum disorders and ADHD. Thanks to the increased awareness, more pregnant women are learning about the potential risks of taking Tylenol.

Advocates in the autism community hope the extra visibility will help pregnant women take less Tylenol or avoid it entirely. They hope reduced exposure to acetaminophen in the womb will lower the incidence of ASD and ADHD.