By Joe Fantini June 18, 2024

Tylenol is an over-the-counter pain reliever that contains the active ingredient acetaminophen. Most people have heard about or used the medication, often as a remedy for a headache or to help ease a fever. Alongside Advil, a similar drug with a different active ingredient (ibuprofen), Tylenol is one of the most popular medications many rely on for mild-to-moderate pain relief.

However, what you may not know is that, as of late, lawsuits have begun piling up against the manufacturers and retailers of Tylenol. The sections below will cover why these lawsuits are being filed, whether you are eligible to file a claim yourself, and how an experienced product liability attorney can help you through the process.

Why Are People Filing Tylenol Lawsuits?

Tylenol lawsuits are being filed against Johnson & Johnson, the manufacturer of the drug, as well as a number of retail stores that sell the generic version of the medication, such as Walmart and CVS.

These lawsuits allege that Johnson & Johnson knew (or should have known) about the risks of taking Tylenol during pregnancy and an increased risk of autism or ADHD in children. For instance, a study by Johns Hopkins noted that based on a sample of 996 umbilical cord blood samples, those with higher concentrations of acetaminophen had a significantly higher chance of contracting those conditions.

There are three broad categories of product liability lawsuits: design defect, manufacturing defect, and failure to warn. Tylenol lawsuits are based on the failure to warn category. This means that they assert manufacturers and retailers of the medication should have warned the public about these risks. By failing to do so, the lawsuits state, these businesses should be held liable for the resulting harm.

Am I Eligible To File a Tylenol Autism Lawsuit?

There are many Tylenol autism lawsuits already pending as part of what is called a Multidistrict Litigation (MDL) case. An MDL case is a grouping of lawsuits from different jurisdictions that are based on the same cause of action. As of early June 2023, these lawsuits are still going through the pre-trial litigation process, and there have not been any trials scheduled.

You may be eligible to file a Tylenol lawsuit if you used the medication during your pregnancy and your child developed ADHD or autism spectrum disorder. The specific facts and circumstances of your situation will, in part, dictate whether you can file a claim. A reputable mass torts lawyer can look into whether you have a case.

How Can a Lawyer Help With My Tylenol Lawsuit?

An experienced Tylenol lawsuit attorney can provide you with comprehensive legal services throughout the entirety of your case. Specifically, your lawyer can:

Most attorneys in this area of the law offer free initial consultations. That means you can reach out and find out whether you have a case and receive preliminary legal advice at no charge to you. 

Further, Tylenol lawsuit lawyers generally work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing upfront to hire them if they take on your case. And beyond that, they only get paid if they secure compensation for you.