Personal Injury Lawyer America.com - A newsletter from the national law firm of Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP
Home button
Find a case
About Our Firm button
Contact us
SEARCH  
shim
  RECENT CASES  
   
  Complete list of all cases  
   
  GENERAL INFORMATION  
   
  Send us an email  
     
 

Acetaminophen | Tylenol and Liver Failure

The accidental taking of toxic doses of acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Vicodin and other pain and fever medications, is by far the most common cause of acute liver failure in the United States.
Acetaminophen Liver Damage
Acetaminophen belongs to a class of drugs called analgesics and is used for the relief of fever as well as aches and pains associated with many conditions.
It is commonly associated with Tylenol brand pain reliever, but is also an active ingredient in a number of over-the-counter (such as Excedrin, Midol, Theraflu, Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold Medicine, NyQuil) and prescription (Vicodin and Percocet) drugs.
In 2006, a clinical study found that the highest recommended dose of Extra Strength Tylenol sharply increased liver enzymes in healthy adults, an early sign of liver damage. The standard oral dose for adults is 325 to 650 mg every 4-6 hours, with a maximum daily dose of 4 grams. Consistent use of as little as 7.5 grams a day could lead to severe liver injury.
On December 19, 2006, the FDA proposed new warnings about liver damage dangers on the labels of over-the-counter pain relievers such as aspirin, ibuprofen and acetaminophen. The FDA suggests that products containing acetaminophen should come in packaging that highlights the potential liver damage associated with use, particularly when taken in high doses or with a moderate amount of alcohol.
 
Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP represents persons injured in vehicle accidents. Click here to submit your case.
Lieff Cabraser has participated in over twenty $100 million-plus settlements & verdicts since 1992. To read a summary, click here.
Despite the information available concerning the dangers associated with overdoses of the drug, the number of unintentional acetaminophen poisoning cases has continued to increase.
Users most at risk for overdose include those with depression, chronic pain, alcohol/narcotic use, and those who take several acetaminophen-containing products at the same time -- for example, Tylenol for a headache and a second acetaminophen-containing product for cold symptoms.
In addition, some babies die every year because parents give them liquid acetaminophen for adults instead of solutions that come in droppers and are prepared specially for infants. The two contain different concentrations of medication, but warning labels often do not provide clear guidance for parents.
Painkiller/Cold Medicine Liver Damage Lawsuit Claims
Patients have filed lawsuits for liver failure alleging that drug manufacturers have failed to warn the general public that even a small amount of acetaminophen taken multiple times can lead to severe liver injury.
Nor have drug manufacturers of products containing acetaminophen adequately warned the public of other over-the-counter pain and cold remedies that also contain acetaminophen so that patients do not ingest multiple medicines containing acetaminophen at the same time.
Legal Rights of Patients
The law in most states provides several personal injury claims for persons who have been seriously injured by prescription or over-the-counter drugs with dangerous, undisclosed side effects. These claims include strict liability for a defective product, failure to warn, and negligence.
Damages sought against drug manufacturers for side effects and injuries include:
  • Physical pain and suffering, mental anguish and physical impairment;
  • Medical expenses associated with the allegedly defective product; and
  • Loss of earnings and/or earning capacity.
In the case of a patient that dies, a wrongful death suit may be filed by the family.
 
Our lawyers have years of experience successfully representing clients in personal injury cases.
There is no charge or obligation for our review of your case.
In death and serious injury cases, we are pleased to visit you where you live, at no cost, to discuss your legal rights and answer your questions.
We have retained product safety and medical experts nationwide to assist our clients with their claims.
Acetaminophen | Tylenol Side Effects Lawyer | Attorney
If you or a family member have suffered acute liver failure or other injuries due to acetaminophen overdose, you may be eligible to file a claim. Please click here to contact an attorney at Lieff Cabraser to discuss your legal rights at no cost or obligation. We will handle all inquiries with the strictest confidentiality and sensitivity. Inquiries from Canada and other nations are also welcome.
You are also welcome to call us toll-free at 1-800-541-7358; Visitors from Canada can call 415-956-1000. Please ask to speak with lawyer Fabrice Vincent.
About Lieff Cabraser
Founded in 1972, Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP is an over fifty attorney law firm with offices in San Francisco, New York and Nashville. For the last five years, the National Law Journal has recognized Lieff Cabraser as one of the top 20 plaintiffs’ law firms in America.
For our personal injury cases, we bring a team of experienced lawyers. Each client is assigned an individual lawyer. In addition, we have on staff multiple nurses, legal assistants, scientific analysts and case clerks to assist the attorneys. To learn more about our firm, click here.
     Trademark Notice: Personal Injury Lawyer America is an electronic newsletter from Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP. Lieff Cabraser represents clients in a wide range of cases, including personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits. Our personal injury attorneys | lawyers are committed to providing the very best representation and support possible for our clients. This website provides information on the legal rights of the injured and the latest news on product defects and related lawsuits.
     Lieff Cabraser is not affiliated in any way with any trademark owner. The use of any trademarks on this site is for product identification and information purposes only.
     About Lieff Cabraser: We have offices in San Francisco, New York and Nashville. Our lawyers have represented clients in personal injury, wrongful death and rollover crashes and product defect lawsuits across America, including residents of Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia and Wyoming.
     Among the cases our personal injury attorneys are prosecuting are the Medtronic heart lead recall, the AMO contact lens solution recall, the Peter Pan peanut butter recall, Guidant pacemaker defects, SUV rollover accidents, popcorn workers lung injuries, and Ford switch fires.
     Disclaimer: The hiring of legal professionals is an important decision that should not be based on advertising alone. Please read our disclaimer.
Copyright © 2008 Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP

Read our Personal Injury Law brochure