If you have a child diagnosed with NEC who suffered injury or death after receiving cow’s milk baby formula, you may have a claim for money damages. Please call Attorney Marilyn McGoldrick at (833) 472-1160 , or tell us your story online.
Baby Formula Linked to NEC in Premature and Low Birth Weight Infants
Our firm is investigating potential lawsuits on behalf of families of premature and low birth weight babies who developed NEC (necrotizing enterocolitis) after being fed cow-based formulas like Enfamil and Similac. NEC is a potentially deadly digestive condition. Scientific studies indicate that premature and low birth weight babies given cow-based formulas are more likely to develop NEC than infants fed breast milk or other non-cow’s milk based formula products.
Similac, Enfamil and NEC
Similac and Enfamil brands of infant formula are both linked to an increased risk of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in infants, a life-threatening gastrointestinal disorder. Many of these baby formula brands are formulated specifically for premature and low birth weight infants, who already suffer a higher risk of developing NEC. When this disorder results in intestinal necrosis, it can ultimately cause the infant to suffer organ failure and possibly lead to death or serious long-term consequences.
Neither Similac nor Enfamil labelling contains a warning against feeding these cow-based formulas to premature and low birth weight babies.
Who Makes Similac and Enfamil?
Similac is produced by Abbott Laboratories. Mead Johnson and Company, the maker of Enfamil, is a division of Reckitt Benckiser Group plc (RB). Each company controls about 40% of the formula market.
Enfamil Formula Lawsuits
Thornton Law Firm’s NEC lawyers are evaluating claims against Mead Johnson and Company for failing to warn about the risks of Enfamil products. If your baby was fed any of the following products, you may have an Enfamil baby formula lawsuit if your baby subsequently developed NEC:
- Enfamil NeoPro EnfaCare Infant Formula
- Enfamil Premature Infant Formula 20 Cal with Iron
- Enfamil 24 Cal Infant Formula
- Enfamil Premature Infant Formula 24 Cal High Protein
- Enfamil Premature Infant Formula 24 Cal with Iron
- Enfamil Premature Infant Formula 30 Cal with Iron
- Enfamil Human Milk Fortifier
Similac Formula Lawsuits
Similarly, our baby formula attorneys are also evaluating NEC lawsuits against the maker of Similac products, Abbott Laboratories, for babies who developed NEC. The Similac baby formula products include:
- Similac NeoSure
- Similac Alimentum Expert Care
- Similac Liquid Protein Fortifier
- Similac Human Milk Fortifier
- Similac Human Milk Fortifier Hydrolyzed Protein Concentrated Liquid
- Similac Special Care 20
- Similac Special Care 24
- Similac Special Care 24 High Protein
- Similac Special Care 30
Who Is at Risk for NEC?
The babies most likely to suffer from NEC babies are those born early. These include premature babies, born 3 weeks or more before their due date; babies weighing 5 ¼ pounds or less at birth; or any baby tube fed early in life. Full-term infants are rarely affected by NEC (1 in 10,000); of premature babies, 1 in 1,000 is diagnosed with NEC. The greatest risk is for babies born weighing less than 2 pounds.
What is Necrotizing Enterocolitis?
Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) is the most common, and most serious, digestive disease in premature babies. NEC is potentially fatal. It can cause inflammation of the lining of the intestine, which can lead to serious and deadly infections as bacteria gets into the intestinal tract. Doctors don’t know exactly what causes NEC, but we do know that premature babies have weaker immune systems. An infant’s digestive system is also weaker.
What are the Symptoms of NEC?
- Difficulty feeding
- Gastric residuals (liquid drained from the stomach after tube feed)
- Swollen, red, or tender stomach
- Abdominal pressure
- Increase or decrease in stools
- Jaundiced appearance
- Diarrhea
- Fluctuations in temperature
- Trouble breathing
- Low blood pressure
- Bradycardia (slowed heart rate)
How We Can Help
If you have a child diagnosed with NEC who suffered injury or death after receiving cow’s milk baby formula, you may have a claim for damages. Damages may include past and future medical expenses; past and future pain and suffering; other economic damages; and possibly punitive damages. Please call Attorney Marilyn McGoldrick for a free, no-obligation review of your legal options at (833) 472-1160 or tell us your story here.
Thornton Law Firm LLP has been a leader in investigating and pursuing compensation for consumers who have been injured by defective products for more than 40 years. We have a team of attorneys dedicated to this complex area of law. We understand your rights, what is at stake, and how to handle these claims from beginning to end. For a free evaluation of your case, please contact us by filling our online form, or by calling our toll-free number: (833) 472-1160