NEC Lawsuits | Enfamil and Similac linked to Necrotizing Enterocolitis in premature babies
Despite studies linking cow’s-milk-based baby formula to Necrotizing Enterocolitis, Mead Johnson Nutrition and Abbott Laboratories allegedly failed to warn consumers and doctors of the dangers of feeding premature babies with their products: Enfamil and Similac.
Was your premature baby diagnosed with NEC? Peiffer Wolf is fighting on behalf of parents whose premature babies developed Necrotizing Enterocolitis after receiving Similac or Enfamil. Contact Peiffer Wolf by filling out an online contact form or by calling 216-589-9280 for a FREE Consultation.
NEC Lawsuits | What happened?
Many premature babies (born before 37 weeks of pregnancy) who were given Enfamil, Similac or other cow’s-milk-based formula developed Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC). Some had to go through surgery after the diagnosis, and, in extreme cases, parents even lost their babies after the NEC diagnosis.
Despite knowing that studies from the 90s had already revealed the danger of giving cow’s milk to premature babies, Mead Johnson Nutrition and Abbott Laboratories allegedly did not issue warnings about NEC with their baby formulas. As a result, doctors and parents unknowingly fed their babies with Similac and/or Enfamil, which caused some premature babies to develop Necrotizing Enterocolitis.
Companies have a legal obligation to warn consumers about the risks their products caused. Mead Johnson Nutrition and Abbott Laboratories allegedly failed to warn consumers, which put the lives of premature babies at risk.
If your premature baby was diagnosed with NEC, Contact Us by filling out an Online Contact Form or by calling 216-589-9280. Peiffer Wolf is fighting for parents whose premature babies developed Necrotizing Enterocolitis after being fed with Similac or Enfamil.
NEC Lawsuits | The risks associated with Enfamil and Similac
“Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a serious illness in newborns. It happens when tissue in the large intestine (colon) gets inflamed. This inflammation damages and kills some tissue in your baby’s colon.
Any newborn can get NEC. But it’s most common in very sick or premature babies.” (Stanford Children’s Health)
A study from December 1990 found that, in Great Britain alone, “exclusive formula feeding could account for an estimated 500 extra cases of necrotising enterocolitis each year. About 100 of these infants would die.”
More recently, another study showed that “The data […] support the current literature that infants who receive formula are at increased risk for transfer for suspected NEC compared to those who receive PDHM [pasteurized donor human milk].”
Shockingly, and despite the seriousness of NEC, Enfamil and Similac had no warnings alerting the consumers about the evidence linking cow’s-milk-based formula and premature babies developing NEC. In fact, Mead Johnson Nutrition go as far as labeling one of its products “For Babies Born Prematurely Transitioning to Home”.
According to a study published in 2017,
“NEC […] leads to surgery in 20–40% of cases, and is fatal in 25–50% of cases. […] Severe cases can result in intestinal resection or death, and the health care costs average >$300,000/infant when surgical management is required.” (PubMed Central – U.S. National Institutes of Health’s National Library of Medicine)
NEC Lawsuits | Do I have a case?
If your premature baby (born before 37 weeks of pregnancy) was diagnosed with NEC after being fed with Similac, Enfamil or other cow’s-milk-based formula, you may have a case. Contact Us by filling out an Online Contact Form or by calling 216-589-9280 for a Free Consultation.
Some of the products included in the lawsuits are:
- Enfamil 24 and DHA & ARA Supplement
- Enfamil 24 Cal Infant Formula
- Enfamil Human Milk Fortifier
- Enfamil Human Milk Fortifier Acidified Liquid
- Enfamil Human Milk Fortifier Liquid High Protein
- Enfamil Human Milk Fortifier Powder
- Enfamil Milk Fortifier Liquid Standard Protein
- Enfamil NeuroPro Enfacare
- Enfamil Premature Infant Formula (20, 24 or 30)
- Similac Alimentum
- Similac Alimentum Expert Care
- Similac Human Milk Fortifier
- Similac Human Milk Fortifier Concentrated Liquid
- Similac Human Milk Fortifier Hydrolyzed Protein Concentrated Liquid
- Similac Human Milk Fortifier Powder
- Similac Liquid Protein Fortifier
- Similac NeoSure
- Similac Special Care (20 or 24)
- Similac Special Care 24 High Protein
NEC Lawsuits | Free Consultations | 216-589-9280
Was your premature baby diagnosed with NEC? Peiffer Wolf is fighting on behalf of parents whose premature babies developed Necrotizing Enterocolitis after being fed with Similac or Enfamil. Contact Us by filling out an Online Contact Form or by calling 216-589-9280.
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