If your child was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) after being exposed in utero or prenatally to tylenol or acetaminophen during pregnancy, you may be entitled to recover compensation from a tylenol acetaminophen lawsuit case or settlement claim.
A team of drug injury lawyers and class action attorneys is investigating potential tylenol lawsuit and settlement cases of individuals whose children were diagnosed with autism or ADHD after being exposed in utero (while in their mother’s womb) to Tylenol or acetaminophen.
Acetaminophen (paracetamol) is a non-opioid analgesic and antipyretic medication used to treat pain and fever. According to the FDA, acetaminophen is an active ingredient in hundreds of prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, including Tylenol (which brand was named after the chemical name of the drug N-acetyl-para-aminophenol).
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how a person communicates, interacts with others, and experiences the world. It’s called a “spectrum” because symptoms and abilities can vary widely. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects attention, self-control, and how the brain manages impulses.
Acetaminophen is one of the most commonly used medications in the United States. In fact, an estimated 2.3 million pregnant women (or 65% of pregnant women) in the U.S use acetaminophen products. Unfortunately, a growing body of research has found that children who are prenatally exposed to acetaminophen may be more likely to suffer from autism and ADHD compared to non-exposed children.
Tylenol Autism/ADHD Lawsuits: Overview
- What Are The Tylenol Autism/ADHD Lawsuits About?
- What is Tylenol (Acetaminophen)?
- What Is Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)?
- What Is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)?
- Who May Qualify For a Tylenol Autism/ADHD Lawsuit or Settlement?
- What is the Status Of The Tylenol (Acetaminophen) Lawsuits?
- What Companies May Be Sued In Acetaminophen Lawsuits?
- Can I Recover Compensation From a Tylenol Lawsuit?
- Is There A Deadline To File a Tylenol ADHD/Autism Lawsuit?
- Can A Tylenol Injury Lawyer Help Me Pursue A Tylenol Claim?
- Request A Free Case Review From A Tylenol Injury Lawyer
Tylenol Lawsuit & Settlement Cases
Tylenol lawsuit and settlement cases potentially being investigated include claims involving children who are currently 17 years of age or younger, who were diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) after being prenately exposed in utero (i.e., in their mother’s uterus while she was pregnant) to acetaminophen, including the following:
- Tylenol
- Tylenol Regular
- Tylenol Extra Strength
- Tylenol Extra Strength Rapid Release Gels
- NyQuil
- DayQuil
- Excedrin
- Mucinex
- Robitussin
- Sudafed
- Theraflu
- Alka-Seltzer Plus
- Goody’s
- Sinex
- FluTherapy
- Panadol
- Midol
- Paracetamol
- Acetaminophen
- Other acetaminophen lawsuit cases
If you took Tylenol, generic acetaminophen or paracetamol throughout pregnancy and your child was subsequently diagnosed with autism or ADHD, you may be eligible to recover monetary compensation from a Tylenol ADHD or autism injury lawsuit or settlement case.
Tylenol Lawsuit Complaints Filed Over Autism/ADHD
Families across the country have filed lawsuits seeking compensation after their children were diagnosed with autism or ADHD allegedly linked to prenatal exposure to Tylenol (acetaminophen).
The acetaminophen lawsuit complaints allege that plaintiffs used acetaminophen while pregnant; that acetaminophen interferes with fetal development; that plaintiffs took it because it was marketed as a safe pain reliever for pregnant women; that it was known or should have been known by acetaminophen manufacturers and sellers that prenatal exposure to acetaminophen can cause autism and/or ADHD; that manufacturers and retailers failed to warn expecting mothers about the potential risks associated with using Tylenol during pregnancy; and that had adequate warnings been provided, pregnant women could have avoided or limited acetaminophen use and reduced the risk of harm to their children; and that their children suffered from autism and/or ADHD due to prenatal exposure to acetaminophen.
The acetaminophen lawsuits seek to recover, among other things, compensatory damages, including past and future medical expenses, past and future pain and suffering, emotional distress, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, lost wages, including loss of earnings and loss of earning capacity.
Companies Sued For Acetaminophen Injury Claims
Defendants in the acetaminophen lawsuits have included manufacturers and/or retailers of acetaminophen products, such as:
- Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc.
- Costco
- CVS
- Walgreen
- Safeway
- Target
- Family Dollar
- Rite-Aid
- Dollar Tree
- Kroger
- 7-Eleven
- Big Lots
- Sam’s Warehouse
- Wal-Mart
- Other possible defendants
Although the retail defendants in the acetaminophen lawsuits may sell different brands of acetaminophen, the active ingredient at issue in the tylenol lawsuits is the same: acetaminophen.
Tylenol Lawsuit and Settlement Updates
The tylenol lawsuits filed in federal court were consolidated or transferred into a multi-district litigation or MDL for consolidation and coordination of pretrial proceedings, styled In Re: Acetaminophen-ASD/ADHD Product Liability Litigation, MDL Case No. 3043, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York (Judge Denise Cote).
On December 18, 2023, the Court issued an order excluding the testimony of five expert witnesses on whom the plaintiffs had relied, each of whom opined that prenatal exposure to acetaminophen causes ADHD and autism. On July 10, 2024 the Court issued another order excluding another of plaintiffs’ expert witnesses. In August of 2024, Judge Cote then dismissed all pending Tylenol cases in the federal MDL. Thereafter, plaintiff’s filed an appeal with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, which appeal is still pending.
Tylenol lawsuits have also been filed in state courts, including, for example, in Illinois, California, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware.
Recover Compensation For Tylenol Injury Claims
Plaintiffs who bring Tylenol lawsuits may be able to recover money damages for harms and losses suffered as a result of being diagnosed with ADHD or autism, including compensation for:
- Pain and Suffering: Families pursuing Tylenol autism and ADHD lawsuits may seek compensation for the pain and suffering endured by their children as a result of developmental challenges. Autism and ADHD can create daily struggles with communication, behavior regulation, and social interactions. These difficulties often lead to frustration, isolation, and emotional hardship for both the child and their family, forming a central component of recoverable damages
- Mental Anguish/Emotional Distress: Parents who took Tylenol during pregnancy without knowing of potential risks may experience feelings of guilt and anger after learning of the alleged link to their child’s diagnosis. The emotional toll of navigating an unexpected lifelong condition, combined with uncertainty about the future, constitutes a significant form of mental anguish. Compensation for this distress acknowledges the profound psychological impact on both the child and the family unit.
- Loss of Quality or Enjoyment of Life: Autism and ADHD can affect a child’s ability to participate fully in school, sports, friendships, and everyday activities. Families may also experience restrictions on travel, leisure, or community engagement due to caregiving demands. Lawsuits seek to recover damages for the diminished enjoyment of life experienced by children and their families, recognizing how developmental disorders can limit opportunities and life experiences that others may take for granted.
- Medical Expenses (Past and Future): Treatment and support for autism and ADHD often involve significant medical and therapeutic costs. Families may face expenses for diagnostic evaluations, occupational therapy, behavioral therapy, speech therapy, medications, and ongoing specialist care. These costs can be overwhelming, especially when they are expected to continue throughout the child’s life. Tylenol lawsuits aim to hold defendants accountable for covering both past and future medical expenses associated with these conditions.
- Loss of Income/Future Earning Capacity: Autism and ADHD may limit a child’s future ability to pursue employment or earn income at the same level as peers without these conditions. In addition, one or both parents may have to reduce work hours or leave employment altogether to provide full-time caregiving. Damages for lost income and future earning capacity help address these economic realities, ensuring that families are not financially penalized for circumstances they believe could have been prevented.
- Other Possible Monetary Damages: Beyond direct medical and economic costs, families may also seek to recover damages for special education expenses, assistive technologies, in-home care, transportation to medical appointments, and long-term support services, among others.
Time Is Limited To File A Tylenol Lawsuit
Deadlines known as statutes of limitation and statutes of repose may limit the time that individuals have to file a tylenol lawsuit to try to recover compensation for injuries they claim to have suffered (e.g., autism or ADHD) after being exposed to acetaminophen during pregnancy.
This means that if a tylenol lawsuit claim is not filed before the applicable deadline or limitations period, the injured party may be barred from ever pursuing litigation or taking legal action regarding their ADHD or autism injury claim. That is why it is important to connect with a tylenol injury lawyer or attorney as soon as possible.
Connect With A Tylenol Injury Lawyer
Navigating the aftermath of an autism or ADHD diagnosis can be overwhelming for families, especially when the condition may be linked to prenatal exposure to acetaminophen. Parents may feel blindsided by the possibility that a widely trusted medication could have contributed to their child’s developmental challenges. A Tylenol autism/ADHD attorney can evaluate your situation, explain your legal options, and protect your family’s rights while you focus on your child’s care and well-being.
Tylenol autism and ADHD cases are handled on a contingency fee basis, meaning clients pay no attorney’s fees unless compensation is recovered. If there is a settlement or award, attorneys are paid a percentage of the recovery. This structure makes legal representation accessible to families, regardless of their financial circumstances.
If your child was diagnosed with autism or ADHD after being exposed to tylenol or acetaminophen during pregnancy, you may be entitled to recover compensation from a Tylenol (acetaminophen) lawsuit case or settlement claim. Contact a drug injury lawyer to request a free case review.
Note: We are not accepting tylenol acetaminophen cases involving children who are currently older than 17 years of age or whose mothers first began using acetaminophen products after March, 2020.
*If you or a loved one are experiencing health issues, side effects or complications after taking a prescription drug or medication, we urge you to promptly consult with your doctor or physician for an evaluation.
**The listing of a company (e.g., Johnson & Johnson, Costco, CVS, Walgreen, Safeway, Kroger, Target, Family Dollar, Rite-Aid, Dollar Tree, 7-Eleven, Big Lots, Sam’s Warehouse, Wal-Mart, etc.) or product (e.g., Tylenol, Nyquil, Dayquil, Excedrin, Mucinex, Robitussin, Alka-Seltzer Plus, Goody’s, Sudafed, Theraflu, Sinex, FluTherapy, Panadol, Midol, etc.) is not meant to state or imply that the company acted illegally or improperly or that the product is unsafe or defective; rather only that an investigation may be, is or was being conducted to determine whether legal rights have been violated.
***The use of any trademarks, tradenames or service marks is solely for product identification and/or informational purposes.
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