Birth Injury Cases Consolidated: Claims Link Acetaminophen And Autism
Class action lawsuits are in the news quite often, but proceedings in a recent case should be of interest for parents of children with autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). A recent article published by Reuters covers the development, in which 66 cases involving claims of birth injuries from acetaminophen were consolidated. The judge found similarities among the fact patterns: Plaintiffs are women who took acetaminophen during pregnancy, and subsequently discovered that their babies sustained neurological harm. They are suing Walmart, CVS, Walgreens, and other major retailers who sold the drug.
Additional facts will unfold as the litigation proceeds, and many plaintiffs may join in if they qualify. If you have concerns about the links between acetaminophen and autism or ADHD in your child, you should consult with a Miami birth injuries lawyer about your remedies. Some background about the case is also useful.
How Dangerous Drugs Cause Birth Injuries
The specific reasons may vary, but most drugs are defective because of:
- Errors in manufacturing the drug
- Failure to follow federal regulations on marketing drugs to consumers
- Issues with storage and shipping, where contamination may occur
- Failing to include appropriate labels to warn the user about contraindications and side effects of the drug
Misconduct with labeling is the basis for the current actions claiming that acetaminophen causes autism and ADHD. Plaintiffs allege that the retailers failed to warn pregnant women that the drug could lead to neurological harm to the baby.
They may encounter challenges with the suits, since medical professionals have advised women to take acetaminophen for pain instead of aspirin or ibuprofen, which have been linked to organ damage. Another pitfall may be the finding of some researchers that only prolonged use of acetaminophen is risky. This factor could be tricky for purposes of causation.
Signs of Autism and ADHD
Symptoms of these conditions and other neurological disorders may be observable when the child is 12 to 24 months old, though some develop at later ages. You should consult with your pediatrician if you note that your child:
- Does not respond to the sound of a family member’s voice or to their name
- Is not interested in playing with other children
- Does not engage or socialize with other children when playing
- Repeats specific motions, such as rocking, nodding the head, or flapping hands and feet
- Fixates on certain objects
- Repeats questions instead of answering them
- Exhibits angry outbursts when items are out of place or the routine is disrupted
If your child has been diagnosed with a neurological disorder and you took acetaminophen, you might consider further investigation into your legal options.
Set up a Consultation Florida Birth Injuries Attorney Today
Skilled representation is essential for any legal matter, especially a complex litigation case involving dangerous drugs and birth injuries. Our team at Freidin Brown, P.A. is knowledgeable about the laws, so we are prepared to take on the challenges. For more information about your remedies, please contact us to set up a free consultation. We can meet with you at our offices in Miami or Fort Myers, FL to discuss details.
Source:
reuters.com/legal/litigation/mass-tort-launched-claims-that-acetaminophen-caused-autism-adhd-2022-10-06/
