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Acetaminophen-Autism Lawsuit Attorney

When you’re expecting your baby, there’s always a list of things you can and can’t take that’s given to you by your doctor. This list ranges from prescription medications to over-the-counter drugs. Sometimes, this list depends on if you have any pre-existing medical conditions.

One over-the-counter medicine that’s generally presumed safe for mothers-to-be at its usual dose has been acetaminophen. This drug treats fever, joint pain, and muscle pain. This drug is one that most families keep readily available, but is it really safe during pregnancy?

A recent study has shown that babies in the womb exposed to acetaminophen face a higher risk of developing autism than babies in the womb whose mothers do not take acetaminophen during pregnancy.

While autism is a spectrum, it can cause severe developmental and physical delays that require serious and ongoing interventions and medications. While necessary for your child to have the best quality of life, these treatments are often very costly. If you took acetaminophen during pregnancy, you might be eligible for legal help. You may be entitled to compensation for the medical expenses, the cost of therapy, the cost of medications, and possible compensation for emotional distress. You don’t have to face this alone. Contact us now to schedule your free and confidential case evaluation.

Acetaminophen and Autism – What’s the Connection?

Acetaminophen was once thought, by and large, to be one of the safest over-the-counter medicines for pregnant women to take. Yet, over the years, we’ve seen a dramatic spike in the number of children diagnosed with autism.

Recently, it’s come to light that multiple studies have shown a link between the consumption of acetaminophen by pregnant mothers and the increased risk of a diagnosis of autism for those children after their birth. Here’s what we know:

  • JAMA Psychiatry published a study in October of 2019 that showed children with the highest levels of acetaminophen metabolites were at the highest risk of developmental disorders.
  • The European Journal of Epidemiology revealed in June of 2021 that children exposed to acetaminophen in utero had a 19% higher risk of developing autism than children whose mothers did not take acetaminophen.

Because of the heightened risk, researchers from Columbia University published a study in JAMA Pediatrics suggesting that doctors working in prenatal health look for other ways to manage the pain of pregnant women so that the risk of acetaminophen exposure for the unborn is lessened.

This new research is profound. If you’re a mother, the first thing to understand is that regardless of what may have contributed to your child’s diagnosis, it is not your fault. If you took acetaminophen while pregnant and your child was diagnosed with autism, contact us for a free and confidential case review. You may be eligible for compensation.

Acetaminophen-Autism Lawyer

What is Autism?

Autism is a disorder that may impact both the neurological and developmental systems of an individual. It can have minimal symptoms and cause virtually no issues, or it can have severe symptoms and be a serious disability.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, while it is a spectrum, many people with autism may experience:

  • Problems when communicating with others
  • Problems interacting with others
  • Repetitive behaviors, commonly referred to as “stimming”
  • Interests that are restricted to only a few things
  • Symptoms that may be so severe that they may restrict their ability to function in an educational setting, work setting, or in other vital areas of life.

Treatment for autism generally depends on the symptoms and how it affects the diagnosed person. It may involve various therapies and medications. Some children are placed in special education classes and may also be placed on Social Security Disability because of the severity of their symptoms.

What Are the Possible Signs of Autism?

Since autism is on a spectrum, you must understand that there can be multiple symptoms. The American Academy of Pediatrics does recommend that every child undergo screening for autism. Again, this is important since autism is a spectrum.

Possible signs of autism often depend on the age of your child. It may also depend on whether your child is male or female. Autism is generally more difficult to spot in females than males.

Some possible signs of autism in younger children include:

  • No eye contact
  • Repeating the same word or phrase over and over
  • Do not respond to their name
  • Do not smile back at you
  • Repetitive movements
  • Not talking as much as other children their age

In older children, possible signs of autism include:

  • Inability to understand the way others feel
  • Inability to say how they feel
  • Requiring a strict routine
  • Getting upset without their routine
  • Almost or actual obsessive interest in certain subjects or activities
  • Aloof, very few or no friends
  • Doesn’t understand basic everyday phrases and takes everything literally

Light, sound, and temperature sensitivities may also exist, regardless of age. An unusual tone of voice, such as a sing-song tone or being monotone, may also be another sign.

You must get your child the proper professional attention they need for diagnosis and treatment.

How an Acetaminophen Autism Lawyer Can Help Your Family

Currently, there is a pending class action lawsuit to help the families whose children were injured when moms trusted in acetaminophen, not knowing that there may be an increased risk of autism for their children.

An acetaminophen autism lawyer can help your family by guiding you through the class action process. Let us help get you started. Our goal is to help you get the help you deserve. We provide a free case evaluation. It’s 100% confidential.

We’ll talk privately about what happened and advise you about your potential legal rights and next steps. You can get started right now. Don’t wait. Every moment you wait means you could miss the deadline to file.

Filing an Acetaminophen Autism Claim

We know it sounds like something out of this world that a drug we all know and want to trust could raise the likelihood of a child being born with autism by close to 20%. Yet, the research is in against the makers of acetaminophen.

If you’re the parent or legal guardian of a child diagnosed with autism, you may be entitled to file an acetaminophen autism claim. You might be entitled to compensation to help you pay for the medical and therapeutic expenses you incurred if mom took this over-the-counter drug during pregnancy. Contact us now to learn more about filing a claim, and we’ll review your claim for free. All calls are entirely confidential.

Is There a Class Action Lawsuit Against Tylenol?

In early June 2022, a motion was filed to take all of the individual lawsuits filed regarding the link between acetaminophen and autism to consolidate them. Currently, the status of the matter is a “multi-district litigation” case (MDL), but if the motion is granted, it will convert to a class action lawsuit.

Contact our law firm today for a free, confidential case evaluation to learn more about whether you and your child may qualify to file a claim.

Contact an Attorney Today

You had and continue to have only the best intentions and dreams for your child. No one can blame you for taking an over-the-counter medication considered safe. Now that we understand the risk, it’s time to hold the drug makers accountable. Let our experienced mass tort attorneys help. Contact us now for a free and confidential case evaluation.