Injuries and illnesses caused by drugs are always terrible, but it is far more painful when the one who is affected is your child. If you took Tylenol or another generic version of acetaminophen (APAP) and your child developed autism or ADHD, you may be surprised to learn that the commonly used drug could have caused your child’s neurological disorder. Therefore, it’s important that you take steps to understand whether you are eligible to file a lawsuit against the manufacturers or distributors.
There is research that connects Tylenol to higher rates of autism and other neurological disorders, so do not worry that you may not have a claim. Just make sure you can prove that you took acetaminophen during your pregnancy; the lawyers at Kwartler Manus will take care of the rest.
Is Tylenol Linked to Autism and ADHD?
Plaintiffs are currently bringing lawsuits against retailers and manufacturers who have produced and sold acetaminophen. This is happening because Tylenol is being used by a large number of pregnant women and has been for decades, yet, several studies have linked it to autism diagnoses. The scientific studies are raising concerns about what acetaminophen can cause to happen to unborn babies during the prenatal phase.
The Nature Revies Endocrinology scientific journal even published a consensus statement featuring the warnings of medical experts. In it, they stated that using Tylenol and other acetaminophen products during pregnancy is not safe and doing so creates a higher risk of the child developing autism.
What Studies Have Been Conducted?
At the moment, more than 20 studies have been performed to investigate the impact acetaminophen dosage has on pregnant women and their babies. Of these studies, at least 16 found that there was a dose-response association, meaning that being exposed to acetaminophen during pregnancy increased the risk of developing neurological disorders.
The JAMA Psychiatry journal found that “biomarkers of fetal exposure to acetaminophen were associated with a significantly increased risk of childhood [autism] in a dose-response fashion.”.
Autism Risks May be Dose Responsive
Whether your child develops autism could be dose responsive. This is because when you take Tylenol, how much Tylenol you take, and the amount of time that you take Tylenol can all correlate with autism risks. Though, some studies have shown that small Tylenol doses taken throughout pregnancy will not increase autism risks. Still, there are a large number of doctors suggesting that women should not risk taking acetaminophen during their pregnancy unless a doctor specifically says to do so.
Tylenol Autism and ADHD Class Action Lawsuits
The lawsuits people have filed against acetaminophen distributors were initially individual claims. Yet, the plaintiffs’ attorneys have recently filed a motion with the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation to move the Tylenol autism lawsuits into becoming a class action Multidistrict Litigation suit.
Claims made assert that Tylenol manufacturers and distributors failed to warn users about prenatal risks associated with being exposed to the product. These lawsuits have all been started recently, therefore it is expected that many people will make similar cases in the future. Only time will tell if there will be hundreds more, thousands more, or hundreds of thousands more claims filed. Regardless, if your child has been affected, do not hesitate to contact a lawyer today.
Who is Eligible for APAP Lawsuits?
To qualify for an APAP lawsuit, you must prove that you used Tylenol or another version of acetaminophen while pregnant in large doses or for long periods of time and that your child was diagnosed with autism or ADHD. If you fit these criteria, you may have the opportunity to enter into a civil lawsuit and pursue compensation. If APAP lawsuits do get consolidated into a class action MDL and evidence shows that there is causation associated with prenatal exposure to Tylenol, there could be a global settlement for all cases.
Reach Out to a Lawyer to Start Your APAP Claim
When it comes to class action lawsuits and MDLs, an attorney is almost always necessary. This is especially the case for APAP lawsuits because the scientific evidence is still emerging. Therefore, it will take effective legal expertise to prove that your child’s autism or ADHD was caused by acetaminophen use. Call our office at (267) 457-5570, or submit our contact form to schedule a consultation today.