Our lawyers are currently handling infant formula NEC lawsuits for parents with premature babies that developed NEC and suffered adverse health consequences after being fed with Similac or Enfamil in all 50 states. The companies that made these formulas were aware of the risks of NEC in preemies but made no effort to warn consumers about this risk on their product packaging.
Infant formulas made from cow’s milk, such as Similac and Enfamil, are potentially hazardous for premature infants because they can significantly increase the risk of a dangerous neonatal condition called necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). NEC baby formula lawsuits are now being filed against the manufacturers of Similac and Enfamil because they knew knowingly failed to warn about this risk on their product packaging.
If your premature baby developed NEC after being given Enfamil or Similac formula, you may qualify to bring a product liability lawsuit against the formula companies and get financial compensation. Call 800-553-8082 for a free consultation.
About Necrotizing Enterocolitis
Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a very serious and potentially fatal bacterial infection that can develop in the intestinal wall tissue of a premature infant. NEC causes the intestinal tissue to become inflamed and eventually die. As the necrotizing infection works its way from the inside of the intestine wall to the outer wall, it can create a hole or perforation in the intestine.
Perforation of the intestine from NEC can be very dangerous because it allows harmful bacteria from the intestine to leak out into the abdominal cavity. Once the bacterial infection enters the abdomen it can rapidly spread into the bloodstream and turn into a fatal sepsis infection. Approximately 15% of infants with NEC die from this complication.
Even when NEC is not fatal, it can have long-lasting health consequences for the baby. In a little over half of all NEC cases, surgery is necessary to remove dead intestinal wall tissue. This can result in a condition known as “short bowel syndrome” which can impact the baby’s growth and development.
Similac and Enfamil Can Cause NEC in Premature Babies
It has been clinically proven that cow-milk-based formulas like Similac and Enfamil can be dangerous for premature babies because they are known to significantly increase a premature baby’s risk of developing NEC. If a premature infant is fed exclusively with a bovine formula like Enfamil or Similac, studies have shown that they are 10 times more likely to develop NEC compared to a preemie who is fed with breast milk.
There are over a dozen peer-reviewed, published medical studies dating back to the early 1990s all of which conclude that feeding premature infants with cow-milk-based formulas like Enfamil and Similac puts them at much greater risk of developing NEC.
These findings of these studies have prompted the American Academy of Pediatrics, the U.S. Surgeon General, and other prominent public health organizations to issue warnings about the risks of NEC associated with bovine formulas.
Formula Makers Fail to Provide Warnings About NEC
In the U.S., product manufacturers have a legal duty to warn consumers about potential risks and dangers known to be associated with their products. The makers of Similac (Abbott) and Enfamil (Mead) are well aware of the overwhelming mountain of evidence showing that their formulas increase the risk of NEC for preemies.
Both companies chose not to provide any sort of warning or guidance to consumers on the risks of NEC premature babies.
The packaging on Abbott’s cow-milk-based Similac products makes no mention of a higher risk of NEC for premature babies. Instead, Abbott’s Similac products contain the following vague recommendation:
Very low-birth-weight infants are particularly susceptible to gastrointestinal complications; therefore, feeding should be initiated cautiously.
Geez. That is not close to being close to a fair warning of the risks of these baby formulas for premature babies. The packaging on Enfamil bovine formula products contains similarly vacant language about premature infants.
What is noticeable absent from the packaging for both products is any mention whatsoever of the fact that the products significantly increase the risk of NEC in premature babies. This is why Abbott and Mead are now facing a growing number of NEC lawsuits.
New October 2021 Study Underscores Profits Over Babies Thesis
On October 14, 2021, a new study was published in the British Medical Journal that raises serious questions about the validity of clinical trials sponsored by the manufacturers of infant formula products such as Enfamil and Similac. According to the study, formula makers have funded biased studies and “cherry-picked evidence” in order to downplay the risk of NEC when premature infants are fed with cow-milk formula products.
I wrote this whole post before seeing this study. But it absolutely aligns with everything I have been saying. I’m not saying I can prove it yet. But I think the evidence if these cases go to trial will be that the makers of Enfamil and Similac put making more money on baby formula ahead of making sure they were informing parents of the risk so they could protect their premature babies. Is that a pretty awful thing to say? Yes. But I think it is true.
Contact an NEC Lawsuit Attorney
Miller & Zois is currently looking into potential NEC baby formula lawsuits. We are particularly interested in hearing from parents of premature babies who were given Similac or Enfamil formula and subsequently developed NEC. If you believe your child developed NEC as a result of infant formula, call our office today for a free consultation at 800-55-8082 or get a free case review online.
FAQs: NEC Lawsuits Against Baby Formula Companies
Does baby formula cause NEC?
Infant formulas made from cow’s milk, such as Similac and Enfamil, significantly increase the risk of NEC in premature babies.
Is there are lawsuit against baby formula companies?
NEC lawsuits are being filed across the country against the manufacturers of Enfamil and Similac baby formula. The lawsuits allege that the formula companies failed to warn that their products increase the risk of NEC in premature babies.
Can Similac cause NEC?
Similac infant formulas made from cow’s milk have been shown to significantly increase the risk of NEC when fed to premature infants. Preemies fed with Similac are 10 times more likely to develop NEC.
Does Enfamil cause NEC?
Enfamil formula products that are made from cow’s milk significantly increase the risk of NEC in premature infants.