Tylenol, or acetaminophen, is a household name in the United States, and is one of the first things Americans turn to for treating aches, pains, and fevers. While many believe Tylenol is safe, it is actually the most common cause of acute liver failure in the U.S. In fact, almost 56,000 visits to the emergency room, 1,600 instances of liver failure, and 450 deaths per year are attributed to the medication acetaminophen. In many of these cases, victims and their families may have a valid drug safety lawsuit.
Side effects of Tylenol include Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and liver damage. Stevens-Johnson Syndrome is a rare skin disorder that is potentially fatal. SJS is a severe allergic reaction. It begins with a skin rash and flu-like symptoms and can eventually progress to severe peeling, blistering, open sores, and death. Death occurs in about 5-15% of SJS patients whose condition progresses to Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis. Recovery from SJS can take weeks or months, resulting in significant medical bills.
Furthermore, around the world, one of the most common poisonings is acetaminophen overdose. Possible symptoms of liver failure and indications of an acetaminophen overdose include loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, sweating, exhaustion, stomach pain located in the upper right portion of the stomach, unusual bruising or bleeding, flu-like symptoms, and yellowing of the eyes or skin.
In the past, lawsuit settlements have resulted in hundreds of millions of dollars being awarded to Tylenol side effect victims and their families. On April 1, 2013, twenty seven wrongful death and personal injury lawsuits were centralized by the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation. In all of these lawsuits, plaintiffs alleged that they or their loved ones either died or suffered injuries from liver damage caused by products made by Tylenol.
If you or a loved one has suffered from liver failure or Stevens-Johnson Syndrome as a result of taking Tylenol products, you may be eligible for compensation or damages in a drug safety lawsuit.