ATRA claims RFK Jr. promotes discredited Tylenol-autism theory

The American Tort Reform Association (ATRA) announced in a press release that Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is promoting a discredited link between Tylenol and autism, stating it lends credibility to litigation theories already rejected in court.

According to Reuters, Kennedy's remarks come as plaintiffs prepare an appeal in the multidistrict litigation In re: Acetaminophen — ASD-ADHD Products Liability Litigation. In December 2023, U.S. District Judge Denise Cote ruled that plaintiffs' experts failed to show that their methodology linking acetaminophen to autism was "generally accepted by the scientific community." ATRA said Kennedy's stance provides trial lawyers with a policymaking ally despite courts rejecting their evidence.

Independent medical authorities, including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), continue to affirm that acetaminophen is safe for use during pregnancy when taken as directed. ACOG responded to recent studies by emphasizing that "acetaminophen is one of the only safe pain relievers for pregnant women." The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Autism Science Foundation also stress that no causal link has been established between acetaminophen use and autism.

The Autism Science Foundation warns that misinformation surrounding acetaminophen and autism risks could undermine maternal health by causing unnecessary fear among pregnant individuals. ASF's statement highlights that discouraging acetaminophen use may leave patients without safe pain relief or drive them toward less-studied alternatives. ATRA argues that such fear-based narratives mirror litigation tactics rather than science-based health guidance.

The American Tort Reform Association is a nonprofit advocacy group based in Washington, D.C., dedicated to reforming the U.S. civil justice system and combating lawsuit abuse. According to its official website, ATRA promotes public education, legislative advocacy, and research on legal fairness issues. The group is best known for publishing its annual "Judicial Hellholes" report, which identifies jurisdictions it says are overly friendly to plaintiffs' attorneys.