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Tylenol autism lawsuit: acetaminophen in pregnancy claims
Lawsuits claim that acetaminophen use during pregnancy, including Tylenol, contributed to autism or ADHD in children, and that labels should have warned about it. A federal judge dismissed the cases in 2023, but an appeals court revived many of them in 2026.
By SettlementLift. Published · Updated .
The federal MDL
MDL 3043 is before Judge Denise L. Cote in the Southern District of New York. In 2023 the court excluded the plaintiffs’ key expert witnesses and later dismissed the cases. The federal panel reported 113 pending cases as of October 1, 2026.
JPML: Pending MDL dockets by actions pending (October 1, 2026) ↗The 2026 appeals ruling
In July 2026 the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit vacated the dismissals in part, holding that some expert testimony was wrongly excluded, and sent the cases back to the trial court. The defendants could still seek Supreme Court review.
What regulators have said
In September 2025 the FDA began a process to update acetaminophen labeling to note a possible association with autism and ADHD, while stating that a causal relationship has not been established. Medical groups continue to debate the evidence.
Where the cases stand
The cases are returning to the trial court, which may reconsider the expert evidence. There is no trial date or settlement.
Records that matter
Prenatal records documenting acetaminophen use, the child’s diagnosis and evaluation records, and any records of other risk factors.
Talk to a doctor about pain or fever in pregnancy
Untreated fever and pain can also carry risks. Ask your doctor or midwife before taking or stopping any medicine during pregnancy.
Deadlines
Each state sets its own filing deadline, and the clock often starts when you knew or should have known about the injury and its possible cause. Joining an MDL does not pause your state’s deadline, so ask a lawyer promptly if you are considering a claim.
Talking to a lawyer
Mass tort lawyers usually work on contingency, meaning they are paid a percentage of any recovery. Ask how the fee is calculated, which costs you could owe, whether your case would be filed in the MDL or in state court, and who will handle it day to day. SettlementLift is not a law firm and does not take or refer these cases.
ABA: Questions to ask a lawyer ↗Frequently asked questions
When will the Tylenol autism lawsuit be settled?
There is no settlement or trial date. After the 2026 appeals ruling, the cases returned to the trial court for further proceedings.
Does the lawsuit say Tylenol causes autism?
That is what plaintiffs allege. Whether the science supports it is disputed and is a central question in the case.