Drugmakers Accused of Downplaying Tylenol Liver Damage Risk

Many Remain Unaware of Tylenol Liver Damage Risk

Unfortunately, many Americans remain unaware of the risk of Tylenol liver damage. One only needs to take a look at the staggering statistics to recognize the dangers posed when Tylenol is not used as directed or is used in conjunction with other drugs containing acetaminophen. Each year, acetaminophen overdose causes 50,000 emergency room visits, 25,000 hospitalizations, more than 1,000 liver failures and 450 deaths.

Tylenol is manufactured by McNeil Consumer Healthcare, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson. In 2011, McNeil lowered the maximum recommended dosage from 4,000 mg to 3,000 mg per day. However, many are concerned that this change in dosage does not adequately warn about the serious risk of Tylenol liver damage. As a result, many people who have been injured by Tylenol side effects are stepping up and filing lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson and McNeil. The plaintiffs in these Tylenol lawsuits accuse the defendants of failing to warn about the risks, choosing instead to put the companies’ profits ahead of consumer safety.

Tylenol Lawsuits Consolidated in MDL

Due to the large number of Tylenol liver damage lawsuits filed in federal court, the cases have been consolidated into multidistrict litigation (MDL). The plaintiffs claim that Tylenol “caused liver damage, including liver failure, even when taken as directed.” 

McNeil and Johnson & Johnson deny these allegations. The pretrial proceedings for these cases will be handled by U.S. District Judge Lawrence F. Stengel. Consolidation into MDL expedites the legal process and facilitates efficiency, consistency and convenience for the parties and their attorneys. 

Earlier this month, a motion to consolidate all New Jersey Tylenol liver damage lawsuits into multicounty litigation was denied. Glenn A. Grant, the Acting Administrative Director of Courts, ruled that the cases “should continue to be filed in the appropriate counties of venue.” This decision will only apply to Tylenol lawsuits filed in New Jersey state courts.

The Tylenol liver damage MDL is In Re: Tylenol (Acetaminophen) Marketing, Sales Practices and Products Liability Litigation, MDL 2436, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

Take Legal Action

If you have experienced liver damage or other serious side effects after taking Tylenol, you may be able to file a Tylenol lawsuit and join the ongoing MDL. To learn more about your legal options, fill out the form at the Tylenol Liver Damage, Stevens Johnson Syndrome Lawsuit Investigation. A Tylenol side effects lawyer will review your information, free of charge, to determine whether you qualify to join the ongoing litigation.