Mass tort lawsuit · Checked on November 3, 2026
Tylenol autism lawsuit: status November 2026 (MDL 3043)
The litigation was revived. In July 2026 the federal appeals court in New York vacated the judgments that had ended the acetaminophen cases and sent them back to the trial court. Plaintiffs allege that acetaminophen use during pregnancy caused autism or ADHD in their children. About 113 cases were pending in MDL 3043 on November 2, 2026.
| Case | MDL 3043 |
|---|---|
| Court | U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York |
| Judge | Denise L. Cote |
| Pending cases | 113 (as of November 2, 2026) |
| Stage | Revived on appeal in July 2026; back before the trial court |
| New cases | Law firms appear to be reviewing new cases |
| Next scheduled date | None announced in the records we checked |
| Last checked | November 3, 2026 |
What plaintiffs allege
Plaintiffs allege that the makers and sellers of acetaminophen (Tylenol and store brands) failed to warn that use during pregnancy could cause autism spectrum disorder or ADHD. The defendants deny the claims, and the scientific question is disputed.
Where the case stands
- The trial court had excluded the plaintiffs' expert witnesses and entered judgment for the defendants.
- On July 13, 2026 the Second Circuit vacated those judgments and remanded the cases (verified, opinion text).
- On October 16, 2026 the appeals court denied the defendants' request for rehearing, and the cases have returned to the trial court (reported).
Settlement status
No settlement had been announced as of November 3, 2026. We report a settlement only when a court order, a company filing or a company statement confirms it, and we never estimate payment amounts.
Updates
Newest first. Each entry says whether we read the record ourselves (verified) or it comes from coverage (reported).
- November 2026: The federal panel's report of November 2, 2026 listed 113 pending cases (verified, JPML report).
- October 2026: The Second Circuit denied rehearing on October 16 (reported).
- October 2026: The federal panel's report of October 1, 2026 listed 113 pending cases (verified, JPML report).
- July 2026: The Second Circuit vacated the judgments that had ended the cases and sent them back to the trial court on July 13 (verified, opinion).
What law firms commonly ask callers
Law firms reviewing these cases usually ask about the following. This is general information, not an assessment of any claim:
- acetaminophen use during pregnancy (how often and when)
- whether the child was diagnosed with autism or ADHD by a qualified provider
- the child's birth date
Questions
Is the Tylenol autism lawsuit real?
Yes. The U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation listed 113 pending cases in MDL 3043 as of November 2, 2026 (verified). A pending case is a claim filed in court, not a finding that the claim is true.
When will the Tylenol autism lawsuit settle?
Nobody can predict when or whether a mass tort will settle. What has been disclosed so far: No settlement had been announced as of November 3, 2026. We report a settlement only when a court order, a company filing or a company statement confirms it, and we never estimate payment amounts.
Can Tylenol during pregnancy cause autism?
That is what the lawsuits allege, and the companies deny it. No court has made a final decision on that question. For medical questions, talk to your doctor.
Does the appeal ruling mean acetaminophen causes autism?
No. The appeals court ruled on how the trial court handled expert evidence. Causation is still disputed.
Sources
- JPML, Pending MDL Dockets by Actions Pending, November 2, 2026 verified
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit opinion, July 13, 2026 verified
- MLex on the October 16, 2026 rehearing denial reported
Verified means we read the court, agency or company record ourselves on the check date. Reported means the fact comes from news or law firm coverage and could not be confirmed on a primary record.