Breaking: Texas Files First State Lawsuit Against Tylenol Makers

Texas Takes Legal Action Against Tylenol Manufacturers

In a groundbreaking move, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed the first state-level lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson and Kenvue regarding the marketing of Tylenol (acetaminophen) to pregnant women.

Key Allegations

The lawsuit alleges serious violations including:

Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act violations - Claims the companies misled consumers about product safety
Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act violations - Challenges the 2023 Kenvue spinoff as an asset-shielding strategy
Willful disregard of science - Alleges the company "willfully ignored and attempted to silence the science" regarding acetaminophen and autism

The Science Behind the Claims

Growing scientific research has raised concerns about a potential link between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and increased risk of:

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Other neurodevelopmental conditions

Multiple peer-reviewed studies have suggested that prenatal exposure to acetaminophen may affect fetal brain development.

Legal Proceedings

Court: Panola County State Court, Texas

Legal Representation: Ashley Keller of Keller Postman represents Texas in this case. Notably, Keller also represents plaintiffs in the federal MDL (multidistrict litigation) consolidation.

Potential Penalties: The state seeks a jury trial with civil penalties up to $10,000 per violation.

Market Impact

Following the announcement, Kenvue shares declined 2.4% in morning trading, reflecting investor concerns about the potential implications of this lawsuit.

What This Means for Families

If your child was diagnosed with autism or ADHD and you used Tylenol or acetaminophen during pregnancy, you may have legal options. This Texas lawsuit could pave the way for additional state-level actions and may influence the ongoing federal litigation.

Next Steps

Time limits apply to filing claims. If you believe you may be affected by this issue, contact a legal professional for a free, confidential case evaluation to understand your rights.