Pregnant women exercise a lot of caution for the safety of their unborn children. The FDA advises pregnant women to avoid raw seafood, caffeine, alcohol, undercooked meats, unpasteurized foods, and much more. Now, women may need to add Tylenol to their list of concerns. Recent studies show a link between Tylenol and certain neurological disorders like ADHD and autism. Some researchers caution that Tylenol use during pregnancy may impact brain development in babies. Reach out today to learn about how a Tylenol/acetaminophen ADHD and autism lawsuit can help your child.
Our law firm is currently handling lawsuits on behalf of parents of children diagnosed with ADHD or autism after the use of Tylenol or other acetaminophen drugs during pregnancy. Lawsuits allege manufacturers and retailers failed to warn pregnant women that prenatal exposure to acetaminophen may lead to these neurological disorders. Our lawyers believe that companies have a responsibility to fully disclose side effects to the public. If you took Tylenol or acetaminophen while pregnant and your child was later diagnosed with ADHD or autism, The Lake Law Firm is here for you. Get in touch with one of our experienced attorneys today by calling (888) 525-3529 or filling out the free case evaluation on this page.
Tylenol is a type of over-the-counter drug that contains acetaminophen. This medication acts as a pain reliever and fever reducer. Acetaminophen is one of the most common drug ingredients in the United States and is found in over 600 medications. The Consumer Healthcare Products Association estimates that 52 million consumers take acetaminophen weekly. People take Tylenol, or acetaminophen, to alleviate discomforts like:
Many women experience pain and discomfort while pregnant. Pregnant women may look to Tylenol to ease aches and pains. Two U.S. studies found that 65-70 percent of women used acetaminophen anytime during pregnancy. Health professionals generally consider Tylenol safe to use while pregnant. In fact, for many years, the general consensus was that Tylenol (or acetaminophen) is the safest over-the-counter pain reliever during pregnancy.
Several scientific studies have raised concerns over the effects of acetaminophen on babies during pregnancy. Although research has suggested a possible connection between prenatal exposure to acetaminophen and neurological disorders for over a decade, manufacturers and retailers have neglected to update the warning label. Below are a few pivotal studies in Tylenol ADHD and autism lawsuits.
A study published in JAMA Pediatrics in 2014 analyzed 64,322 mother-child pairs to examine the relationship between acetaminophen use and ADHD. The research discovered an increased risk of ADHD in children whose mothers used acetaminophen while pregnant. Scientists speculated that acetaminophen could cross the placental barrier and interrupt the brain development of the fetus.
Similar to the JAMA publication, this 2018 study examined 132,738 mother-child pairs. The study found that children whose mothers took acetaminophen during their pregnancy were at a 20% greater risk of autism and a 30% greater risk of ADHD.
In 2019, John Hopkins University and the U.S. Department of Human Health Services found that babies exposed to acetaminophen were nearly three times more likely to develop ADHD and over three times more likely to be diagnosed with autism.
In 2020, Columbia University found that acetaminophen could impair brain development in the fetus. This exposure may lead to ADHD and other neurological disorders. Researchers asked doctors to reconsider the side effects of Tylenol during pregnancy.
The FDA places Tylenol under Pregnancy Category B. This means the drug has not shown fetal risks. The agency states it cannot make any recommendations at this time with the limited studies. Yet, the FDA advised that women should carefully consider pain medicines while pregnant and always consult their doctor.
However, Tylenol ADHD and autism lawsuits argue that manufacturers and retailers robbed healthcare providers and pregnant women of making informed decisions. Plaintiffs claim that the omission of ADHD and autism on acetaminophen’s warning label led doctors to advise pregnant women to take the pain reliever without fully understanding the potential repercussions.
Various agencies found potential risks associated with Tylenol use during pregnancy. Babies born to mothers who took Tylenol while pregnant may develop:
Reach out to The Lake Law Firm today if used Tylenol or acetaminophen while pregnant and your child developed ADHD or autism. We recognize that children with ADHD and autism can go on to lead happy and healthy lives. Yet, these disorders can present major obstacles, affecting their cognitive, behavioral, and social functioning. Children living with ADHD and autism may face challenges in their academic and professional careers, as well as in their personal relationships. Therefore, lawsuits state it is critical to update acetaminophen warnings to minimize the potential impact of these disorders on children’s futures.
Tylenol and other acetaminophen drugs are some of the most popular pain relievers for pregnant women. Tylenol ADHD and autism lawyers expect this could be one of the largest mass torts in the U.S., affecting tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of people.
These lawsuits claim that the manufacturers and retailers failed to inform consumers of the risks acetaminophen poses to babies during pregnancy. Companies reportedly withheld warnings that traced Tylenol use during pregnancy to autism and ADHD. Without this information, many women unknowingly exposed their babies to lifelong disorders like ADHD and autism.
On June 10, 2022, attorneys filed a motion to consolidate Tylenol ADHD and autism lawsuits and create a multidistrict litigation (MDL). The motion originally named Walmart, Walgreens, CVS, Rite Aid, Costco, and Safeway as defendants. These chains all sell generic store-brand acetaminophen, which research has linked to autism and ADHD. A panel heard oral arguments to centralize the cases in late September 2022.
In a major update for Tylenol ADHD and autism lawsuits, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation officially consolidated cases in October 2022. MDL-3043 covers lawsuits filed against retailers for failing to warn about the in-utero effects of acetaminophen on fetal brain development. U.S. District Judge Denise Cote will oversee the MDL.
As litigation continues to grow, defendants like Walmart and Johnson & Johnson have attempted to dismiss cases against them. The companies argued that the FDA regulates warning labels for Tylenol and other acetaminophen products. Therefore, these companies cannot be held independently responsible for updating these labels. However, Judge Cote denied both of these motions to dismiss, explaining that no rules or regulations actually prevented either company from adding a warning label.
As of September 2023, there are 265 Tylenol ADHD and autism actions pending.
If you took Tylenol (acetaminophen) while pregnant and your child has been diagnosed with ADHD or autism, you may recover compensation for:
The Lake Law Firm wants to ensure that these children and their families don’t have to bear the burden of these disorders alone. The compensation from a lawsuit can help them manage the emotional and physical impact of ADHD and autism and cover medical treatments, therapies, and special education.
The Lake Law Firm was founded by Edward J. Lake, Esq., a personal injury lawyer for over 25 years. Our dedicated team of attorneys is committed to seeking justice on behalf of those who have suffered injury or death due to the negligence of others. Our experienced attorneys handle many different types of pharmaceutical drugs, medical devices, and other defective products. The lawyers in our firm have helped collect millions of dollars for their clients. A Tylenol ADHD and autism lawyer will advocate for you and your rights. Please contact us for a free confidential case evaluation at (888) 525-3529 or submit an inquiry on this page.
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