Did your child develop NEC after consuming Enfamil or Similac baby formula?
Across the country, countless parents have filed lawsuits against Enfamil and Similac after their children developed necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). They allege the companies failed to properly warn them about the dangers associated with their baby formula products.
If your baby developed NEC after consuming formula produced by Mead Johnson & Company, LLC (Enfamil) or Abbott Laboratories, Inc. (Similac), you may also be eligible to file suit. Reach out to the experienced attorneys at Bernheim Kelley, LLC today for a free case evaluation.
Baby Formula NEC Lawsuits – Understanding the Problem
Every year, millions of parents throughout the U.S. feed their children Enfamil and Similac baby formula. They do so because the manufacturers market these products as a safe and nutritious substitute for breast milk.
Unfortunately, the high-calorie cow’s milk-based formulas sold by Enfamil and Similac may not be safe for newborns. Numerous studies have found that babies who consume cow’s milk have an increased risk of developing NEC.
A study published in the Lancet discovered that NEC is up to 10 times more common in babies who only eat cow’s milk-based formula than in those who exclusively consume breast milk.
A similar study conducted by a team of researchers in the U.K. found that “NEC is less common in breastfed infants, but may occur following the introduction of bovine milk product fortifiers.” Their report concluded that “bovine products appear to have a causative role in surgical NEC.”
These scientific findings do not appear to have impacted the way Enfamil and Similac market their products. Neither company includes any NEC warnings on their cow’s milk-based baby formulas.
Now, the parents of children who developed NEC after eating Enfamil and Similac products are taking legal action against the companies for failing to warn them about the dangers associated with their baby formulas.
Products Involved in Baby Formula NEC Lawsuits
The following cow’s milk-based baby formulas are currently involved in litigation:
- Enfamil 24 Cal Infant Formula
- Enfamil Premature Infant Formula 20 Cal with Iron
- Enfamil Premature Infant Formula 24 Cal with Iron
- Enfamil Premature Infant Formula 24 Cal High Protein
- Enfamil Premature Infant Formula 30 Cal with Iron
- Enfamil NeoPro EnfaCare Infant Formula
- Enfamil Human Milk Fortifier
- Similac Human Milk Fortifier
- Similac NeoSure
- Similac Alimentum Expert Care
- Similac Special Care 20
- Similac Special Care 24
- Similac Special Care 30
- Similac Liquid Protein Fortifier
Neither Mead Johnson & Company, LLC (Enfamil) nor Abbott Laboratories, Inc. (Similac) has issued recalls for these baby formulas. They are still widely available in grocery stores across the United States.
If your premature baby has developed NEC after eating any of these products, please contact the skilled attorneys at Bernheim Kelley, LLC as soon as possible. We may be able to help you claim compensation.
What Is Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC)?
Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a severe gastrointestinal issue that most commonly occurs in premature babies. The condition inflames the intestinal tissue and causes it to die.
NEC generally develops before the child is six weeks old. It can form perforations (holes) in the patient’s intestine and cause bacteria to leak into the bloodstream or abdomen.
Data published in the Journal of Pediatrics shows that approximately 23.5 percent of newborns who develop NEC lose their lives. Those who survive often have long-term health problems.
Diagnosing NEC
Doctors typically diagnose NEC in babies using one of the following three tests:
- Fecal Test: The presence of blood in a child’s stool is a sign of NEC.
- Blood Test: Physicians can often diagnose NEC by checking for bacteria in the blood.
- X-Rays: Imaging that shows air bubbles around the intestine is an indicator of NEC.
Pediatricians can also examine the baby’s abdomen for signs of swelling or tenderness.
Symptoms of NEC
Babies who develop NEC frequently exhibit the following symptoms:
- Breathing difficulties
- Chills
- Vomiting
- Abdominal distention (swelling)
- Low blood pressure
- Diarrhea
- Tenderness
- Lack of weight gain
- Lethargy
- Fevers
If left untreated, these symptoms can get progressively worse. They may eventually lead to the baby’s death.
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Treatments for NEC
The most common treatments for NEC include:
- Antibiotics
- Blood transfusion
- Nasogastric tube insertion
- IV fluids
- Surgery
These treatments often cost tens of thousands of dollars.
If your child developed NEC after consuming cow’s milk-based formula, our skilled lawyers may be able to help you recover the compensation you need to pay for their medical treatment. Give us a call today to set up a free consultation and learn more about how we can assist.
Compensation Available in Baby Formula Lawsuits
The amount of compensation awarded to the families of premature babies who developed NEC after consuming Enfamil or Similac formula will vary significantly from one case to the next.
In cases of this nature, courts consider the following factors when calculating compensation:
- The fees incurred as a result of the baby’s medical treatment
- The costs associated with the child’s rehabilitation or ongoing care
- The impact the baby’s NEC diagnosis will have on their quality of life
- The mental anguish endured as a result of the child’s NEC diagnosis
- The pain and suffering caused by the infant’s NEC diagnosis
- The cost of the child’s funeral, burial, or cremation
The parents of newborns who lose their lives or require lifelong medical care generally receive the largest settlements.
To find out how much compensation you might be eligible to recover, please set up a free case evaluation with the skilled attorneys at Bernheim Kelley, LLC. We will be happy to provide you with an estimate.
Free Case Evaluation with Skilled Product Liability Lawyers
Do you believe you might be eligible to file a product liability or wrongful death lawsuit against Abbott Laboratories, Inc. (Similac) or Mead Johnson & Company, LLC (Enfamil)? Then please do not hesitate to get in touch with the team at Bernheim Kelley, LLC. We offer free, no-obligation consultations and represent all our clients on a contingent fee basis, so you won’t pay any fees unless we recover compensation for your family.