An increasing number of families throughout the U.S. are initiating lawsuits against two leading baby formula producers—Abbott Laboratories (the maker of Similac) and Mead Johnson (the producer of Enfamil)—alleging that their cow’s milk-based formulas led to premature infants developing a severe condition known as necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).
This legal movement gained significant momentum after a Missouri jury on July 26, 2024, awarded $495 million in damages—$95 million in compensatory damages and an astonishing $400 million in punitive damages—to the family of a child who developed NEC after being given Similac Special Care 24 in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The jury was informed that the infant, born at merely 26 weeks and weighing less than 1,500 grams, developed NEC within 72 hours of consuming the formula and now endures severe, lifelong medical issues, including the removal of 75% of her intestine, neurological impairments, and the necessity for ongoing care.
What Is NEC and Why Are These Formulas Being Blamed?
Necrotizing enterocolitis is a severe gastrointestinal condition that mainly impacts premature infants. It leads to inflammation and infection that can damage the intestinal wall. Medical professionals largely concur that this condition is more prone to occur in preterm infants who are fed formulas based on cow’s milk, rather than those who receive human breast milk.
Lawyers assert that Abbott and Mead Johnson not only neglected to inform hospitals, doctors, and parents about this increased risk but also marketed their formulas as superior or essential—even in light of research indicating otherwise. The plaintiffs argue that the companies disregarded established scientific data connecting their products to NEC, concealed safety information, and failed to revise product labels or educate healthcare providers on safer feeding options.
Which Products Are Under Scrutiny?
The formulas named in ongoing lawsuits include:
- Similac Special Care
- Similac Neosure
- Similac Alimentum
- Similac Human Milk Fortifier
- Enfamil Human Milk Fortifier
- Enfacare Powder
These products are frequently used in NICUs to support growth in premature babies, but critics argue they’re being administered without sufficient risk disclosure. This is not a class action lawsuit. Each case is being managed separately because of the seriousness of the injuries involved. (Visit this page)
Attorneys collaborating with ClassAction.org are in discussions with families whose premature infants were diagnosed with NEC after consuming the formulas in question. The aim of these lawsuits is to obtain compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, permanent disability, and in the most heartbreaking instances, wrongful death.
The verdict in Missouri is anticipated to serve as a legal bellwether, possibly influencing the results of other cases nationwide.
What You Can Do
If your premature infant experienced NEC following the consumption of Similac or Enfamil, you might qualify to initiate a lawsuit. Lawyers are providing complimentary consultations to assist families in understanding their rights and considering possible legal steps. There is no requirement to move forward after consulting with a legal professional.
For numerous parents, these legal actions signify more than just monetary compensation—they serve as a call for responsibility from the companies that are responsible for the care of the most defenseless lives.
