Enfamil and Similac Baby Formula Lawsuit

Overview of Toxic Baby Formula NEC Lawsuits

Similac and Enfamil are two popular types of infant formula that have been marketed as safe and effective for premature babies. As a result, the baby formula is often fed to preemies or low birth weight infants in the NICU or hospital before discharge. However, cow’s milk-based products like Enfamil and Similac have been linked to necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) among premature infants, which can result in serious injuries, lifelong health complications and death.

Link Between Similac and Enfamil and NEC

A number of studies published over the past three decades have highlighted the link between NEC and Similac, Enfamil or other cow’s milk formula fed to premature infants. However, false and misleading information has been provided to parents, hospitals and medical providers about the risks associated with baby formula and the benefits of breast milk.

Families are now pursuing Enfamil and Similac lawsuits in state and federal courts nationwide, alleging that the manufacturers placed their desire for profits before consumer safety. Free consultations and claim evaluations are provided to help determine if a family may be eligible for a baby formula NEC settlement, and there are no fees or expenses unless a recovery is obtained.

Status of Enfamil and Similac Baby Formula Lawsuits

• Baby formula NEC lawsuits are being pursued against Abbott Laboratories (manufacturer of Similac) and Mead Johnson (manufacturer of Enfamil)
• One of the earliest cases was a Similac necrotizing enterocolitis lawsuit filed in May 2021, by the parents of a premature baby born in April 2019, who died only 16 days later. The lawsuit alleges that Similac caused NEC, and that the manufacturer failed to adequately warn about the risk.
• In August 2021, a federal judge rejected an attempt by Abbott Laboratories to entirely dismiss a wrongful death lawsuit filed, certifying two questions to the Connecticut state Supreme Court that are relevant to the claims for failure to warn about the link between Similac and NEC.

Enfamil and Similac NEC Risks

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a serious health condition that may be caused by toxic baby formula, where an infant’s intestinal tissues becomes inflamed. If left untreated, it can cause that tissue to die, resulting in perforations in the intestines, which allow bacteria to leak into the abdomen or infiltrate the bloodstream. This can lead to life-threatening infections, narrowing of the intestines, short bowel syndrome, developmental delays and a failure to thrive.

About 90% of NEC cases occur among babies born in the 37th week of pregnancy and about 1 out of every 1,000 premature infants may be effected. It is usually diagnosed through a blood test for bacterial infections, fecal tests looking for blood in the stool, or by x-rays revealing air bubbles in the abdomen or around the intestines.

Symptoms can include:

• Abdominal pain
• Abdominal swelling
• Changes in heart rate, blood pressure, breathing and temperature
• Bloody diarrhea
• Green or yellow vomit
• Inability to gain weight
• Lack of appetite
• Lethargy

Although numerous studies published in recent years have linked Similac and Enfamil to an increased risk of NEC, the manufacturers have failed to provide adequate warnings about the potential risk to infants, and in fact still promote their products as a preferred, premium formula for premature infants.

Some studies have indicated babies fed cow’s milk formula exclusively are six to 10 times more likely to be diagnosed with NEC than infants given only breast milk.

Free Similac or Enfamil Lawsuit Evaluation

NEC lawyers provide free consultations and claim evaluations to help determine if financial compensation and settlement benefits may be available as a result of the manufacturers’ failure to warn about the link between Similac, Enfamil and necrotizing enterocolitis.

Toxic baby formula Lawsuits are being investigated nationwide for parents of infants who were left severely injured, or who died, due to an NEC diagnosis after being fed Similac or Enfamil while hospitalized.