Many healthcare providers prescribe Tylenol to pregnant women to alleviate mild to moderate pain and provide relief from high fever.
Until a few years ago, acetaminophen, also known as Tylenol, was considered safe for use during pregnancy. But newer research has raised concerns about the safety of consuming Tylenol while pregnant.
A growing pool of research suggests that exposure to Tylenol during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism.
Since this eye-opening research has been brought to light, tens of thousands of women have been taking legal action against the manufacturer of Tylenol. In their lawsuits, women claim that using Tylenol during pregnancy resulted in babies being born with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or autism.
The rising number of compensation claims is anticipated to result in the formation of a new class action, by which settlement amounts will be provided to recompense autistic children and parents. If you intend to sue the makers of Acetaminophen or Tylenol, this guide will help you, so read it until the end.
The Tylenol Lawsuit: Can Prenatal Use of Tylenol Cause ADHD or Autism?
A few studies consider acetaminophen or Tylenol safe for use during pregnancy, whereas others claim it to be unsafe. Because of this contrasting view, the majority of women wonder if prenatal use of Tylenol is linked with autism or ADHD.
Not many know that acetaminophen is widely used in several prescription and over-the-counter medications. Several studies suggest that this active ingredient can enter the placenta and reach the bloodstream of the unborn child from the mother’s blood.
This active ingredient has been shown to alter the functioning of the immune system and the inflammatory response. In addition to that, it may make cells more vulnerable to oxidative stress, which takes place naturally.
Scientists are of the opinion that acetaminophen inhibits the Cox-2 enzyme in brain development along with other essential enzymes. There is also a widespread belief that acetaminophen is associated with inflammatory diseases.
Therefore, this leads scientists to believe that using acetaminophen during the prenatal period may cause inflammation in the fetal brain, hampering its development.
Who Qualifies for the Tylenol Lawsuit?
Both mothers and autistic children qualify for the Tylenol lawsuit. However, there are certain criteria that should be met.
As a mother, you are eligible to file a compensation claim against Tylenol makers if you consumed any of these medications during pregnancy:
- Tylenol
- Alka-Seltzer Plus
- Mucinex
- Generic Paracetamol
- Goody’s
- Robitussin
- Excedrin
- NyQuil or DayQuil
- Generic Acetaminophen
Children with any of the medical conditions mentioned below qualify for a compensation claim:
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
- Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS)
- Kanner’s Syndrome
- Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Childhood Disintegrative Disorder
- Asperger’s Syndrome
Anyone who meets the criteria mentioned above qualifies for a Tylenol lawsuit. Nevertheless, documents that testify to the fact that you were exposed to acetaminophen are necessary. Otherwise, your claim will not be valid.
In order to help people seek justice, several law firms like TorHoerman Law are filing a Tylenol lawsuit on behalf of women and their children born with autism or ADHD. The lawyers at TorHoerman Law offer a free case evaluation, wherein they provide advice and assess the damage victims are entitled to receive by filing a compensation claim.
Lawyers at TorHoerman Law suggest individuals keep handy the following evidence when filing a lawsuit against Tylenol manufacturers:
- Medical records related to Tylenol or acetaminophen use during the prenatal period
- A history of the longitudinal record confirming that the neurodevelopmental issues in your child are related to exposure to acetaminophen
- Proof of purchase of acetaminophen
- Prescription of a healthcare provider or a doctor suggesting Tylenol use while pregnant
- Documents from the psychiatrist or therapist, if required
Factors That May Disqualify Individuals From Filing A Tylenol Lawsuit
Individuals may be disqualified from filing a Tylenol lawsuit due to the following reasons:
- Mother consumed less than ten doses of generic acetaminophen or Tylenol during pregnancy
- The child is a premature baby, meaning they were born before the 26th week
- Mother ingested illegal drugs, tobacco, or alcohol during the entire pregnancy
- Childbirth or pregnancy occurred in Michigan
- The mother’s previous child is also autistic, even though she didn’t consume acetaminophen or Tylenol during that pregnancy
- The mother was more than 39 years of age when she delivered the child
- Mother suffered from gestational hypertension, gestational diabetes, fever, or any infection that required hospitalization while being pregnant
File a Tylenol Lawsuit Today to Recover Damages Sustained Due to Acetaminophen
Seeing your child struggle through life because of autism or ADHD is certainly devastating for every parent, especially if their medical condition is linked to medicines you ingested during pregnancy.
From medical treatments to therapies, raising a child with autism can be taxing both financially and mentally. While you cannot undo the damage, you can sue the Tylenol manufacturers. By doing so, you can recover damages, both economical and non-economical.
And since the legal system is complex, hiring a lawyer that will guide you through the procedure will be wise.
