Recent scientific studies have indicated that prenatal exposure to Tylenol can cause a child to experience autism, which is a developmental disorder that can affect a child’s learning, social, and behavioral skills.
However, prenatal exposure to acetaminophen products like Tylenol can also result in a child’s diagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This neurodevelopmental disorder makes it hard for children to stay focused and can result in them exhibiting impulsive behavior.
Much like autism, ADHD can cause issues at work, school, and home because those experiencing it can exhibit symptoms that can affect their ability to learn, make friends, and behave in an acceptable manner. It can also lead to impulsive behavior that can expose them to health risks.
The parents of children with ADHD because of prenatal Tylenol exposure can file Tylenol ADHD lawsuits to hold the manufacturers of Tylenol, the Johnson & Johnson subsidiary McNeil Laboratories, accountable for failing to warn consumers about the health risks presented by their products.
What is ADHD?
Women who use Tylenol during pregnancy can unknowingly expose their children to health risks, such as a diagnosis of autism. Another health condition children prenatally exposed to acetaminophen products can experience is attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This behavior disorder ordinarily occurs during childhood and results in hyperactive, impulsive, and inattentive behaviors.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), about six million children between the ages of 3 and 17 were diagnosed with ADHD between 2016 and 2019. This accounts for 9.8% of children in that age bracket, meaning a substantial number of children were affected by hyperactive and impulsive behavior.
This disorder can affect a child’s ability to learn, thrive socially, and behave appropriately in professional settings, which can lead to depression, anxiety, feelings of isolation, and worse career opportunities.
Signs and Symptoms of ADHD
Most children that experience ADHD begin showing signs by age seven, although some can show signs as early as preschool. Consistent impulsive and hyperactive behavior from children can prove that a child has ADHD. A healthcare professional can use comprehensive evaluation to determine whether a child has ADHD and the best steps to help them live with the behavioral disorder.
The following are some signs and symptoms caused by ADHD:
- Difficulty concentrating
- Having a short attention span
- Forgetfulness
- Losing things
- Making careless mistakes
- Unwillingness to do time-consuming or boring tasks
- Unable to sit still
- Excessive talking and movement
- Interrupting others talking
- Doing dangerous things without considering the consequences
Can Prenatal Tylenol Use Expose a Child to ADHD Risk?
According to recent scientific studies, prenatal exposure to Tylenol and other acetaminophen products can cause a child to experience ADHD. A study from the American Journal of Epidemiology found that children in utero exposed to Tylenol have a 30% increased risk of ADHD diagnosis. Researchers at the National Institute of Health (NIH) analyzed blood from 996 umbilical cords, discovering that 25.8% of children whose umbilical cords contained high levels of acetaminophen suffered from ADHD.
Tylenol and other acetaminophen products contain endocrine disruptors that can cause neurodevelopmental disorders. Children exposed to these disruptors while in utero can experience harmful impacts as their brain develops, leading to a health condition that can affect them throughout their life.
How Can ADHD Affect a Person’s Life?
ADHD can make a person’s life difficult, as impulsive, inattentive, and hyperactive behavior can affect them in a myriad of ways. Maintaining social relationships can be more challenging, as those with ADHD can exhibit behavior that can alienate them from others. Their inability to focus can also affect their learning ability. They may not be able to focus on lessons and could struggle to complete homework.
Without adequate learning and social skills, those living with ADHD can also suffer in professional and business settings. They can exhibit impulsive behavior that can make it hard to hold a job in an office or other professional setting. Without the same opportunities as other people, those living with ADHD can experience negative mental health effects.
Can You Pursue Compensation for Damages Caused by ADHD?
Those with ADHD can experience economic losses because of their health condition. They may need to pay expensive medical costs from medication and therapists. The effect on their behavior can also lead to them suffering wage-based losses, as they may not be able to hold a high-paying job. They can also experience non-economic damages that affect their quality of life, such as pain and suffering, mental anguish, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Those that have to live with ADHD because of prenatal exposure to Tylenol can file a Tylenol ADHD lawsuit to pursue compensatory damages. Most Tylenol lawsuits are from those that experience autism, but people living with ADHD also experience damages caused by Johnson & Johnson and McNeil Laboratories’ negligence.
Should You Hire a Defective Drug Lawyer for Your Tylenol ADHD Lawsuit?
Your best chance of recovering fair compensatory damages from a Tylenol ADHD lawsuit is by hiring a defective drug lawyer. You will likely not have the necessary experience to handle the lawsuit process properly.
A defective drug lawyer has experience litigating these claims, negotiating with insurance companies, and filing the proper paperwork. They can help you determine the value of your claim, gather evidence to prove your case and negotiate a fair settlement.
Tylenol lawsuits have consolidated into a multi-district litigation (MDL) in the Southern District of New York. This changes the process for filing a Tylenol lawsuit, meaning you must hire an experienced lawyer to help you file the necessary paperwork. They can help ensure you join the MDL properly, share resources with other lawyers, and help you recover compensation for your specific damages through a global settlement.
Contact The Russo Firm for Help With Your Tylenol ADHD Lawsuit
At The Russo Firm, our defective drug lawyers have experience helping victims of dangerous products recover compensation for damages. They have experience handling product liability claims, holding negligent manufacturers accountable for manufacturing defects, and failing to warn consumers about a product’s risks.
Johnson & Johnson and McNeil Laboratories failed to warn pregnant women about the health risks presented to their children by prenatal Tylenol exposure. Our defective drug attorneys wish to help you hold them accountable for ADHD damages caused by prenatal Tylenol exposure. Contact us for a free Tylenol autism consultation today at (561) 270-0913 or leave a message on our online contact page.
