Acetaminophen, or Tylenol as it is commonly known, is taken by millions of people every day to reduce fever or pain. The public has long thought that Tylenol is safe for women to take when pregnant. However, a growing body of research shows Tylenol use during pregnancy may lead to certain neurological disorders in the fetus.
Studies Show Link Between Tylenol & Autism
Researchers have conducted many studies on the risks of taking Tylenol while pregnant. Some of these studies have found a link between taking Tylenol and certain neurological disorders discovered later in the baby. These disorders may include Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
Studies have shown that taking Tylenol when pregnant can make it much more likely for the baby to develop ADHD or ASD later in life. However, many of these studies relied upon the mother to self-report her use of Tylenol during pregnancy.
But one study from Johns Hopkins used another method. Researchers examined the cord blood from infants. Every sample they examined showed a trace of Tylenol, which shows how commonly mothers use this drug during pregnancy.
These researchers found that babies with a very high amount of Tylenol in the cord blood were three times more likely to develop ADHD or ASD than those with the lowest amount of acetaminophen in the cord blood. This study showed actual numbers rather than relying on the women to explain how much Tylenol they took while pregnant.
More Studies Are Needed To Show Tylenol Does Cause Autism
Researchers need to conduct many more studies to make sure this link is accurate. Although it cannot be conclusively proven that Tylenol is the absolute cause of ADHD or ASD, women and the rest of the public should be aware of the risk.
Manufacturers Can Be Held Liable For Failure To Warn
The companies that manufacture these drugs, like Tylenol, failed to warn consumers of the risk between Tylenol, ADHD, and ASD. Manufacturers failed to warn that taking Tylenol while pregnant can lead to an increased risk that the baby will develop Tylenol pregnancy autism.
When companies manufacture products, there is a duty to warn of the known risks associated with that product. If manufacturers do not warn, they could face a lawsuit for product liability. Product liability is a tort known as a “civil wrong.”
A product liability case can refer to any company’s liability in creating or selling a product that damages a consumer. Product liability cases can include a design defect or manufacturing defect.
It can also refer to any defect in marketing the product, which includes a failure to warn. For example, a manufacturer cannot place a product on the market if it has improper instructions. The company must also warn consumers of any latent or hidden dangers in the product.
Tylenol Sellers And Manufacturers Can Be Held Liable For The Failure To Warn About The Link Between Tylenol & Autism
In the case of Tylenol, manufacturers knew or should have known there was a possible risk to pregnant women taking the product. The manufacturers should have learned about these studies that show a link to ADHD or ASD. These companies should have told the public about this risk. However, the companies that make Tylenol did not do this.
Because manufacturers did not warn the public of potential dangers, many women out there believe Tylenol, and the companies that make it, are responsible for their children developing disorders like ADHD and ASD. Because the companies failed to warn, they may owe damages to these women under a product liability theory.
Ease Of Filing A Tylenol Autism Lawsuit
Based on these studies and companies’ failure to warn, many women have filed a Tylenol autism lawsuit across the country. Pregnant women are trying to hold liable companies that manufacture and sell these drugs for failing to warn about the dangers and risks to pregnant women.
Tylenol pregnancy autism can have serious real-life consequences. These companies should be held responsible for failing to warn about the known risks.
There are currently many cases that have been consolidated in New York. The case is known as In re: Acetaminophen ASD/ADHD. This is product liability litigation and is currently being heard in the Southern District of New York in federal court. This lawsuit lists many product sellers as defendants, including CVS Pharmacy, Rite Aid Pharmacy, Target, Walgreens, Costco, Safeway and Walmart.
The women that began this suit have quoted the recent studies that link the use of acetaminophen to an increased risk of ADHD and ASD in their children. The women claim that these defendants failed to warn about the possible neurological dangers of these products to the fetus.
The defendants tried to claim that the products were safe. They also did not want the lawsuits consolidated because they said each case is highly specific to each plaintiff. However, the court consolidated them anyway.
Making A Claim In The Southern District Of New York
The judge in this case recently released a discovery order, making it more straightforward for potential plaintiffs to file a claim. In addition, the judge has approved a short-form complaint that any new plaintiffs can now use when filing their case.
These recent judicial actions make filing a Tylenol pregnancy lawsuit easier because victims will no longer need to include a laundry list of allegations in their claims. Instead, they only have to file a short-form complaint that references all of the allegations in the master complaint that has already been filed in this class action.
However, with so many new Tylenol pregnancy lawsuit claims on the horizon, no one knows how long it will take for them to be resolved through a judgment or settlement.
There does seem to be a link between higher amounts of acetaminophen ingested during pregnancy and autism developed in the baby later in life. If you believe you were harmed by the effects of Tylenol when you were pregnant, Action Matters is here to help. Contact us today.