Tylenol Autism Lawsuit – MDL Rulings Will Impact Cases Moving Forward
The recent rulings in the Tylenol MDL will have a huge impact on the cases moving forward. At the most recent status conference, Judge Cote ruled against Walmart’s motion to dismiss the ADHD and autism lawsuits.
If you took acetaminophen during pregnancy and your child was diagnosed with a neurodevelopmental disorder, you may qualify for compensation. This article shares the basics of this nationwide legal action.
What is an MDL class action?
If multiple lawsuits have been filed against a company over the same injury, the courts may try to centralize the cases into an MDL. The purpose of a MDL is to make it easier for attorneys representing these individuals to share information and resources with one another. Moreover, MDLs can reduce the time it takes for these lawsuits to reach trial and receive a verdict. This is because defendants will often appeal a verdict, which can extend the process for years.
Usually, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation will decide when and which district a lawsuit should be transferred to for MDL proceedings. There are several ways a case can be transferred to an MDL, including when a group of cases has been filed against the same defendant or when a single judge oversees numerous mass tort lawsuits.
The first batch of 47 acetaminophen autism lawsuits to be transferred to the Southern District of New York will have their claims overseen by Judge Denise Cote. These cases will involve allegations that a mother gave her child high doses of acetaminophen while pregnant and that this led to the child developing autism or ADHD. During the MDL process, each individual will retain their own attorney and will be allowed to choose whether to participate in the class action or to “opt out” of it.
Prospective plaintiffs will need to provide evidence that supports their allegations, such as medical records and expert witness testimony. This will be a critical part of the lawsuit as these details can significantly strengthen or weaken the claim.
In addition to coordinating resources, the MDL census registry will also help plaintiffs keep track of settlements, which can be important to many people involved in these lawsuits. If a lawsuit reaches a settlement, the MDL census registry will be updated and will indicate the terms of the settlement and which attorneys are handling the case.
It is common for MDLs to settle before trial. This is a benefit for plaintiffs and companies alike, as it can save money on the cost of trial and avoid the risk of losing in court.
Who can file a Tylenol autism lawsuit?
If you or someone you know used acetaminophen during pregnancy and your child was diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or another neurodevelopmental condition, you may be entitled to recover compensation for your losses. A skilled dangerous drug attorney can help you gather the necessary evidence to prove prenatal acetaminophen exposure, and calculate all your economic and non-economic damages.
A Tylenol autism lawsuit targets manufacturers and retailers of acetaminophen and other pain relievers and fever reducers on behalf of women who took the medication while pregnant and children who were diagnosed with developmental disorders. The lawsuits allege that the companies failed to adequately warn about the risks associated with using acetaminophen during pregnancy.
Because of the number of claims, the federal courts created a multidistrict litigation to handle the cases. In an MDL, multiple lawsuits against the same defendants are combined into one case to streamline pretrial discovery and motion hearings.
While there are fewer than 150 cases filed in the MDL, thousands of injured plaintiffs have retained attorneys and are waiting to see how the court addresses certain scientific evidentiary issues before filing their own lawsuits in state courts.
An experienced mass tort attorney can help you file a successful Tylenol autism lawsuit. You can trust that a lawyer with experience handling these types of lawsuits will take the time to understand your unique circumstances and will fight for your right to maximum compensation. A lawyer who has handled numerous dangerous drug lawsuits can also assess your potential settlement value and help you prepare to present your claim. This includes calculating all your economic and non-economic losses to ensure you are compensated fairly for your injuries.
What are the potential settlement values in a Tylenol autism lawsuit?
The plaintiffs in the Tylenol autism lawsuit are seeking compensation for damages associated with their children’s diagnosis of autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Our attorneys have reviewed medical records and the latest scientific studies, and we believe it is highly likely that a substantial number of mothers who took acetaminophen during pregnancy and gave birth to a child with autism or ADHD could recover a large settlement.
Our firm is representing families across the country who allege they took acetaminophen during their pregnancies and now have children with autism or ADHD. The federal lawsuits are consolidated in a multidistrict litigation (MDL) before Judge Denise Cote in the Southern District of New York. The lawsuits include claims against the manufacturers and retailers of both Tylenol and generic acetaminophen products.
In the spring, the MDL judge asked the FDA to submit a statement of interest regarding the acetaminophen warning label at issue in these cases. The FDA declined to respond, which is a significant win for the plaintiffs.
This month, the MDL judge has scheduled a Daubert hearing to determine whether the plaintiffs’ expert witness testimony is admissible in court. This is a critical step, as the plaintiffs’ expert witnesses must prove that the evidence linking acetaminophen and autism is valid. If the evidence is not admitted, it will be extremely difficult to succeed in these lawsuits.
We are very hopeful that the defendants will settle the remaining cases. We believe that it is in their best interests to settle the pending claims before a bellwether trial, as this would help them avoid potentially massive verdicts. In addition, the MDL has approved short-form complaint forms for family members who wish to file a Tylenol autism lawsuit.
It is also worth noting that the MDL has established important deadlines in these cases, including a requirement that plaintiffs meet discovery and expert testimony requirements by July. The upcoming Daubert hearing will determine the success of this Tylenol autism lawsuit, and we expect the plaintiffs to prevail in this case. The lawyers of our firm are experienced in handling mass torts, including multidistrict litigation (MDL) class action lawsuits, and we have successfully recovered millions of dollars for clients who suffered harm as a result of their prescription drug or over-the-counter medication use.
How do I file a Tylenol autism lawsuit?
The Tylenol autism lawsuit is a nationwide legal action brought by parents who took the over-the-counter pain reliever and fever reducer during pregnancy, and their children were diagnosed with neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The litigation is pending in Federal Courts across the United States, and the claims are consolidated into a multidistrict litigation (MDL) to streamline pretrial discovery and court proceedings.
The lawsuits allege that manufacturers and retailers of Tylenol and generic acetaminophen failed to warn about the potential risks associated with taking the medication while pregnant. Numerous scientific studies have linked acetaminophen exposure in the womb to a higher risk of developing autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders in newborns.
If you are interested in filing a Tylenol autism lawsuit, you should contact a skilled product liability lawyer who can provide the best representation in your case. Your attorney will work to gather as much evidence as possible to prove that your child’s ASD or ADHD diagnosis is connected to prenatal acetaminophen exposure. This includes requesting medical records and other relevant information such as receipts or purchase history.
A dedicated mass tort attorney can also assist with proving your financial losses. This can include any current and future medical expenses related to your child’s diagnosis, as well as lost wages and household help.
Despite J&J’s attempts to delay the MDL, several new cases joined the litigation this month. This reflects the growing interest in pursuing justice for families affected by alleged Tylenol autism links. As the litigation continues, Judge Cote has established a timeline for both sides to meet initial Daubert motions for expert testimony on issues of causation.