Tylenol (APAP)
Back to All Dangerous Drugs And DevicesWhile Johnson & Johnson has assured expecting mothers that Tylenol use during pregnancy was safe for their babies, recent research shows a correlation between Tylenol use and childhood autism.
Recent events and research have shown a connection between prenatal exposure to Tylenol and childhood autism. This has caused individuals, families, and healthcare professionals to question the safety of Tylenol and the actions of its maker, Johnson & Johnson. Numerous families are now filing lawsuits against the manufacturer to hold them accountable for their failure to warn of the serious risks of taking the drug during pregnancy.
If you took Tylenol during pregnancy and your child later developed autism, you may be eligible for compensation. Contact MedFault for a free legal consultation to learn more.
What is Tylenol?
Tylenol, also known as acetaminophen or paracetamol (APAP), is one of the most popular over-the counter drugs used today. Developed and distributed by the pharmaceutical behemoth Johnson & Johnson, it is a common medication for both young and old to help reduce fevers and pain. However, like every drug, Tylenol is not without its side effects and complications.
Tylenol has long been known to cause several minor side effects, including: itching, rashes, headaches, and stomach pain. Johnson & Johnson has historically been forthcoming when it comes to warning users of these common potential side effects. Unfortunately, Johnson & Johnson has been less forthcoming about warning Tylenol users of the risks of taking the drug during pregnancy.
Nearly 65% of pregnant women in the U.S. use Tylenol to help alleviate back pain, joint pain, and other ailments during pregnancy. This makes it all the more important that Johnson & Johnson is transparent about any potential health risks associated with the drug.
Is it Safe to Take Tylenol During Pregnancy?
For years, pregnant women were encouraged by their doctors to take Tylenol because of the drug’s effectiveness at reducing pain and fever. Women were told that the drug was safe and would not pose any harm to themselves or their babies.
While this is typically true when Tylenol is taken in small doses, recent research that shows a correlation between the drug and childhood autism has largely changed the consensus regarding the safety of prolonged Tylenol use during pregnancy.
As for Johnson & Johnson, no warnings for pregnant women has ever been issued. This includes no warning against overexposing children in the womb to the potentially harmful effects of Tylenol.
However, recent evidence suggests there may actually be a link between taking Tylenol during pregnancy and severe developmental disorders in children.
Does Tylenol Cause Childhood Austism and ADHD?
In the spring of 2018, researchers from Israel released a groundbreaking study (a meta-analysis of seven studies and over 100,000 pairs of mothers and children) that showed an increased risk of developmental disorders such as Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorders among children whose mothers regularly took Tylenol or its generic counterpart acetaminophen.
Infants with prolonged exposure to Tylenol in the womb were 20 percent more likely to develop autism and 30 percent more likely to develop ADHD. Language delays and other behavioral disorders have also been linked to frequent Tylenol usage by pregnant women.
Since the original study, distinguished organizations such as the National Institute of Health have produced further research that indicates the 2018 study’s findings are correct.
What makes the study’s findings especially troublesome is Johnson & Johnson’s relative silence on the subject. For many women who had been told it was safe to take Tylenol while pregnant, the company’s silence feels like a breach of trust.
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If you or a loved one experienced serious side effects and complications after taking Tylenol, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit. Find out if you qualify.
Tylenol Lawsuits
Families across the country are taking legal action against Johnson & Johnson for the harm they have suffered as a result of the company’s failure to warn of the risks of taking Tylenol. Other companies that make and distribute a generic form of the drug (acetaminophen)–including companies like Walmart, Walgreens, and CVS—are also facing legal battles.
Plaintiffs in the lawsuits are seeking billions of dollars in damages for what Tylenol has done to potentially hurt millions of innocent children. If you suspect that your child may have been diagnosed with ADHD or autism as a result of exposure to Tylenol or acetaminophen in the womb, contact Medfault to see if you can join the lawsuit. Our legal experts will evaluate your case for free to determine whether or not you may be eligible to join the fight against the harm caused by Tylenol.
Am I Eligible to Join a Tylenol Lawsuit?
In order to determine whether or not you may have a case against a pharmaceutical company such as Johnson & Johnson, one of the most important things you can do is make sure you gather all evidence relevant to your case. Potentially crucial evidence you may want to find or hold onto includes:
- Prescriptions and other documentation showing that you were encouraged to take Tylenol while pregnant
- Medical records from pregnancy (these can be helpful in ruling out other potential causes of developmental disorders)
- Doctors’ notes
- Receipts for Tylenol with dates corresponding to your pregnancy (in some cases you may be able to obtain proof of purchase after the fact)
- Medical records of your child showing they have a developmental disorder such as ADHD or autism
If your doctor believes there may be a link between prolonged prenatal exposure to Tylenol and your child’s developmental disorders, you may want to get their opinion in writing as well.
The more relevant documentation you can obtain the better as such evidence can help not only in proving your case but in helping determine the extent of the damages (or harm suffered) and what might make for reasonable compensation.
Once you have gathered your evidence you will have a better idea of the case you may have against Johnson & Johnson or other relevant pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors.
Are You Eligible for Tylenol Compensation?
Before joining a lawsuit, one question you might have is what types of compensation you may be eligible for in your case.
Typically, in a product liability case, the plaintiff (the person filing the lawsuit) may be eligible for a broad range of damages or losses. These damages could include past and future:
- Medical costs
- Pain and suffering
- Lost earning potential
- Loss of enjoyment of life
A skilled product liability lawyer can help determine whether or not you may be eligible to join a lawsuit, and if so, the damages you may be able to pursue compensation for. At MedFault, our network of attorneys have successfully filed numerous cases against some of the largest pharmaceutical corporations in the world and know what is needed each and every step of the way to build a strong case. Our team can review your case for free to see what is the best next step for you before connecting you with you a trusted product liability lawyer in our network.
Contact a Tylenol Lawyer
There are many moving parts in litigation on this scale. Gathering and organizing evidence, coordinating with cooperating counsel, and filing all necessary paperwork on time are just a few of the keys to a successful product liability lawsuit.
In the case of the Tylenol lawsuit, MedFault’s partner law firms have decades of experience handling all of the above and more. Our national network of experienced lawyers help clients stand up to the largest pharmaceutical companies in order to obtain justice and compensation for the harm they have suffered. Contact MedFault today to schedule a free legal consultation and see how we can help you.