New Tylenol Liver Damage MDL Accepting Lawsuits

The decision to create the MDL was based on the idea that a consolidation in Pennsylvania will result in convenience and more efficiency. By creating a Tylenol liver damage MDL, it will “eliminate duplicate discovery, prevent inconsistent pretrial rulings, and conserve the resources of the parties, the counsel and the judiciary,” said Judge Kathryn Vratil, acting chairman of the JPML. All of the Tylenol liver damage lawsuits are targeting Johnson & Johnson and subsidiaries. 

Initially, there was some push back regarding centralizing in Pennsylvania. One of the subsidiaries wanted to keep the Tylenol lawsuits in Mississippi, claiming that moving the litigation would mean the Tylenol lawsuits would focus on individual complaints. However, it was ruled that common and individual discovery tracks could be effectively handled. Pennsylvania is home to one subsidiary, while Johnson & Johnson and other subsidiaries are located nearby in New Jersey. However, the companies have even more to worry about than where the MDL will be located. Five individual Tylenol liver damage lawsuits were filed in early 2013 in Philadelphia, and five more have been added since then. Some of these recent Tylenol complaints have been moved to federal court.

Overall, the companies weren’t happy with the move to an MDL, but those wheels have already been put in motion. As of April 2013, 27 cases have been consolidated into one large Tylenol MDL. According to the Transfer Order, “all responding defendants…oppose centralization.” 

There are currently 27 personal injury lawsuits and wrongful death lawsuits making up the Tylenol MDL. “Allegations that ingesting acetaminophen — specifically, over the counter (OTC) Tylenol in its various forms — can cause serious liver damage, including liver failure, even when taken as directed” is the foundation of lawsuits. The biggest argument against turning these cases into an MDL is that plaintiff-specific facts such as medical history will become the heart of the overall lawsuit instead of focusing on “just the facts.”

The panel that approved the Tylenol liver damage MDL, however, noted that “almost all injury litigation involves questions of causation that are case- and plaintiff-specific.” A judge can choose to only address common issues and then opt to have individual issues addressed in another court. All of the actions “share factual issues concerning the design, manufacture, labeling, marketing and sale of Tylenol,” Vratil said. 

The link between Tylenol and liver damage has been showcased in studies for years, and yet Tylenol remains what many people consider the “safe pill” to take for just about any pain or ailment.

Two Ugly Tylenol Side Effects

Unfortunately, the red flags for liver damage — whether caused by Tylenol or not –are easy to miss. Some people have absolutely no symptoms of liver damage at all. Symptoms can include jaundice, nausea, vomiting and pain in the abdomen, but some people report no complaints even with serious liver damage. This is also a disease that many people don’t look for, especially if they’re not heavy drinkers. It’s important to treat early, but that’s often difficult considering many people take Tylenol.

Another potential Tylenol side effect is Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS). SJS is much easier to notice, but it can move at a deadly speed. It’s essentially a severe allergic skin reaction that starts as a simple rash. It can develop overnight into blisters and burns that cover the entire body. Long-term damage such as blindness can happen with SJS, and it can be fatal if not caught in time. It’s relatively rare, and not all physicians will correctly diagnose it.

Both of these Tylenol side effects are life-threatening and very serious, but most people think of Tylenol as a safe OTC medication.

Did You Suffer Tylenol Liver Damage or SJS?

Have you taken Tylenol and been diagnosed with liver damage or SJS? If so, you might just qualify for a Tylenol lawsuit to seek compensation for your injuries. Learn more at the Tylenol Liver Damage, Stevens Johnson Syndrome Lawsuit Investigation right now. Submit your story, and a product liability lawyer will contact you for your complimentary Tylenol lawsuit review if you qualify.