At Buttafuoco & Associates, we’ve been watching a number of mass tort cases closely this year. One of the most concerning cases of late is the potentially dangerous effects that acetaminophen—the active ingredient in Tylenol—can have on a fetus during pregnancy. More than half of pregnant women in the US and Europe have used Tylenol or similar drugs, which makes this a major development. Recent research has shown a strong correlation between the use of acetaminophen during pregnancy and the development of a variety of neurological disorders in children.
In this article, I’ll give an overview of the reasons behind these headline-grabbing lawsuits, a timeline of how this legal process is unfolding, and how a Tylenol mass tort lawyer serving New York can help you in your case.
Background of Tylenol-Autism Lawsuits
While Tylenol and other generic acetaminophen-based medications have long been used as fever-reducers and pain-relievers during pregnancy, recent studies have shown a link between use of acetaminophen (the active ingredient in Tylenol) during pregnancy and higher rates of Autism and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in childhood.
According to a systematic review of prenatal acetaminophen exposure published in the American Journal of Epidemiology in 2018, there is a statistically significant relationship between the drug and certain developmental disorders like Autism Spectrum Disorder. At this point, the study authors stated that further research was needed to establish a causal link.
Now, the evidence seems to be piling up. A study of a Boston-based birth cohort published in 2020 examined samples collected from umbilical cords at birth. They found that the increased presence of acetaminophen in these samples correlated with development of Autism and ADHD later in life.
Given recent developments in the research, our Tylenol Autism lawyers in New York are seeing significant progress in acetaminophen autism lawsuits against the manufacturers and distributors of these drugs. Buttafuoco & Associates has handled similar mass tort litigation and has a wealth of experience in this arena. If you have questions about whether you have a case, get in touch.
Is Acetaminophen Ever Safe During Pregnancy?
It’s worth noting that, according to the Cleveland Clinic, you can still take Tylenol during pregnancy, but you shouldn’t take it daily or long-term. Cases of Autism, and ADHD are the result of long-term or daily use of acetaminophen. Should you need pain relief during pregnancy, the FDA advises caution and urges you to consult with your physician for your options, but limited use of acetaminophen-based medications may be safe.
Why is that?
In toxicology, the study of toxic substances and their effects on human health, this is considered a threshold dose-response curve. This is when a substance is safe up to a certain point, but after a certain dose, has negative effects on human health. There are many substances and chemicals that are safe in small quantities but can start to have serious health effects above a certain threshold.
How Can an Attorney Help?
At Buttafuoco & Associates, we have years of experience in mass tort law, and working with a specialized New York Tylenol mass tort attorney will significantly increase your case’s chances.
Some of the things a mass tort lawyer can do for you include:
- Determine the eligibility of your case: Some of the factors affecting plaintiff eligibility in a Tylenol-Autism lawsuit includes the dosage of acetaminophen during pregnancy, medical history of the mother, complications during childbirth, and the current health of the child.
- Determine Liable Party: While the manufacturer may seem like the obvious target for a product liability lawsuit—in this case Johnson & Johnson’s for Tylenol—many other defendants have been named in these cases, including Walmart, CVS, Walgreens, Target, and Safeway.
- Navigate the Mass Tort Legal System: Mass torts are similar to class action lawsuits, where large groups of plaintiffs file together against a defendant, and bringing a successful mass tort case requires specialized legal knowledge and experience. This can be especially important because in mass tort cases each plaintiff files their own evidence of damages from the defendant.
Call 1-800-NOW-HURT for a free consultation; our team is reviewing Tylenol Autism lawsuits and has the skills, experience, and passion to help you get the compensation you deserve!
