Is Tylenol linked to Autism Spectrum Disorder? According to recent studies, there is a link between Tylenol use and the development of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and other neurological disorders in children during their early lives. As a result of this link, many parents of children with these types of disorders are suing the makers of Tylenol in one of the country’s largest mass tort cases.
If you believe your child developed a condition related to the use of Tylenol or other Paracetamol-based products, you may be able to file a lawsuit against these products’ manufacturers with the help of an attorney. Call Ankin Law at 312-600-0000 to schedule a free consultation with a mass torts attorney in Chicago.
Tylenol and Autism
Is Tylenol safe during pregnancy or for young children? Research is discovering that this isn’t the case.
While many people use Tylenol for pain relief and treating other symptoms and reactions, this popular medication has become the subject of recent lawsuits involving a growing number of plaintiffs.
Tylenol is a drug with the main active ingredient acetaminophen (brand name Paracetamol). Although acetaminophen is effective in many cases at treating pain and other symptoms, studies have found it to be potentially toxic. Subsequently, there have been studies connecting neuro development and acetaminophen in fetuses when either pregnant mothers or young children consume this drug.
For example, one study on Tylenol and autism concluded that many ASD cases result from early exposure to acetaminophen. Other studies covering large sample groups have also linked the drug to various other neurological disorders, including hyperactivity and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
Specifically, Tylenol and other acetaminophen products could cause disorders to develop when either a child’s mother consumes them during pregnancy or when a child consumes them in early childhood.
Children with these disorders are more likely to struggle throughout their development. Conditions like ASD and ADHD can hinder a child’s ability to communicate, learn, and eventually gain employment.
Symptoms of ASD in children include:
- Delayed speech
- Social difficulties
- Anxiety, depression, and other psychological disorders
- Sudden and drastic emotion or mood swings
- Frequent risk-taking behavior
What Are the Implications of a Link Between Tylenol and Autism?
Because of the recent studies connecting Tylenol to autism, a Tylenol autism class action lawsuit has developed in the form of a mass tort case. Also known as the Acetaminophen autism lawsuit, the Tylenol autism lawsuit claims that Johnson & Johnson and other drug makers are liable for the damages resulting from the use of their medications.
The key allegations in the Tylenol lawsuits include that acetaminophen manufacturers were aware of the risks of consuming these products while failing to properly warn doctors, parents, and others of these risks. Manufacturers like Johnson & Johnson must include proper labels detailing the health risks of their medications, but these companies failed to do so with Tylenol and other acetaminophen products, according to the lawsuit.
As a result, the lawsuits seek compensation for damages resulting from the use of these products. Brands named as defendants in the lawsuit include Johnson & Johnson along with Walmart Inc., Costco Wholesale Corp, Rite Aid Corp, Safeway Inc., and CVS Pharmacy Inc.
Compensation in the Tylenol Autism Lawsuit
You might wonder what the average Tylenol lawsuit payout is, but the fact is that these cases are still pending at this time. Ultimately, the compensation in these lawsuits can range from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands or even more, depending on how the exposure to acetaminophen affected victims and their families.
There are multiple types of damages that plaintiffs may recover from this lawsuit, including:
Economic Damages
With Tylenol linked to Autism Spectrum Disorder, there are many economic damages that can come with an ASD diagnosis. These damages apply to the expenses resulting from ASD and other neurological disorders.
For example, parents of children with ASD may need to cover doctor’s appointments, therapy, special education, and home care, among other costs. In extreme cases, children are unable to live independently and will require constant care for the rest of their lives, with costs quickly mounting.
In the Tylenol autism lawsuit, these costs will have a large impact on the overall settlement amount for plaintiffs.
Non-Economic Damages
Another type of recoverable damages that can factor into this lawsuit is non-economic. While economic damages account for the financial losses resulting from acetaminophen exposure in children, non-economic damages pertain to the personal losses sustained.
There are many non-economic damages that can impact both parents and children with ASD or other disorders, including:
- Psychological distress, including anxiety and depression
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Other mental health effects
Punitive Damages
While the lawsuit is still pending a result, with no previous settlements reached, it’s possible that attorneys may sue for punitive damages from Johnson & Johnson and other defendants. Attorneys may push for these damages if they find that these brands exhibited gross negligence in their failure to warn consumers of the dangers of acetaminophen. For example, drug makers and retailers may have been aware of these risks for far longer than they claim, while failing to address these risks through proper labeling or safer alternative products.
Ultimately, a lawyer could help you determine precisely how much you’re able to recover in the lawsuit and represent you throughout the case.
When to Hire a Lawyer
If your child developed ASD or another condition related to the use of acetaminophen products like Tylenol, it’s in your best interest to contact a mass torts lawyer in Chicago to discuss a lawsuit.
Going up against large corporations like Johnson & Johnson will be challenging without legal representation. Conversely, an experienced mass torts attorney can help you build your case and increase your chances of succeeding.
There are a few critical ways an attorney could help you when seeking compensation:
Collecting Evidence
Plaintiffs in these cases will need to prove either that a pregnant mother consumed acetaminophen or that their children consumed these products and subsequently developed ASD or another related condition.
Doing so can be difficult, as you will need to effectively show the link between the use of this drug and the condition, along with your lack of knowledge of the risks associated with the drug’s use.
Many pieces of evidence come into play in these cases, such as receipts for Tylenol purchases, bottles displaying labels that fail to warn of the drug’s dangers, medical bills and records, proof of lost income, and more.
Gathering and organizing this evidence can be a daunting task, but a lawyer will have the resources and knowledge to determine the evidence you’ll need and obtain it.
Calculating Compensation
As mentioned, the compensation in this lawsuit has a wide range, with cases generally ranging anywhere from $50,000 to over $500,000. The total amount of compensation you’re able to recover will depend on the damages sustained and the extent of the child’s condition.
An attorney can work closely with you to calculate the total amount of compensation you’re able to recover based on all contributing factors.
For example, your attorney could use all receipts, proof of lost income, and medical bills to calculate your economic expenses. He or she could also consider how your child’s disorder has impacted the family psychologically and factor these damages into a settlement amount.
Pursuing Your Case
With sufficient evidence and a clear potential settlement, your attorney could initiate a lawsuit and bring you into the multi-district litigation (MDL) case, which currently includes more than 100 plaintiffs.
Throughout this process, your attorney will help you navigate the lawsuit and ensure you’re always up-to-date on your case’s development. The right lawyer will communicate with you regularly and indicate if there are any additional steps you need to take to help with your lawsuit.
Your attorney will continue to fight on your behalf for a full settlement based on the damages sustained.
Finding the Ideal Mass Torts Attorney
If you qualify for the Tylenol autism lawsuit, you will need to find the right lawyer to help you seek total compensation.
A good lawyer will meet with you in a free consultation to discuss a case with you. If he or she decides to take on your case, your lawyer can begin gathering evidence, calculating compensation, and work toward building a successful case.
Generally, you will qualify for the lawsuit if your child developed ASD or another neurological condition following the use of Tylenol by either the child or the child’s mother during pregnancy. An attorney can further determine eligibility based on the specifics of your case.
For help from an experienced mass torts attorney in Chicago, contact us to speak with one of the lawyers here at Ankin Law.