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Baby Formula Lawsuit

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Baby Formula Lawsuit Lawyers

The Carlson Law Firm is accepting clients whose premature infants have been diagnosed with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) after being given Similac or Enfamil baby formula containing cow’s milk. Contact a Baby Formula Lawsuit Lawyer at 866-381-1486 to discuss your legal options.

Baby formula lawsuits claim that cow’s milk-based baby formula is causing premature (or premie) infants to develop a gastrointestinal illness called necrotizing enterocolitis.

The Carlson Law Firm is helping clients sue Enfamil and Similac manufacturers for their failures to warn parents about NEC risks in premies.

Qualifications for the baby formula lawsuit

How do I know if I qualify?

Premature infant

Baby must have been a premature birth with fewer than 37 weeks of gestation.

Formula Fed

Premature baby must've been fed formula or fortifier made by Similac or Enfamil.

Gastrointestinal Issues

Parents may not have an NEC diagnosis but our team can review medical documents that may indicate NEC.

Recent Developments on the Toxic Baby Formula Lawsuit

March 2024: Trial Concludes $60 Million Verdict

The jury found formula manufacturing giant Mead Johnson liable and awarded the plaintiffs $60 million—$35 million more than the plaintiff’s attorneys were asking. 

February 2024: First Bellwether Underway

The inaugural trial against major baby formula companies Mead Johnson and Abbott has commenced in St. Clair County, Illinois.

The lawsuit stems from the harrowing ordeal of a Fairview Heights mother, whose premature twins were born five weeks early in 2020, each weighing just over 3 pounds.

When one of the twins was transitioned from donor human milk to a cow’s milk-based formula at Memorial Hospital Shiloh, the infant developed NEC, highlighting the crucial issue of how formula manufacturers communicate NEC risks to parents.

This case is one of hundreds filed nationwide, accusing Mead Johnson and Abbott of failing to adequately warn about the increased risk of NEC associated with their products.

November 2023: Bellwether Cases Chosen

Four crucial bellwether cases have been chosen, which will offer insights into jury responses and significantly impact potential settlements. If you or a loved one’s child was diagnosed with necrotizing enterocolitis after using toxic baby formula, contact us for a free consultation or use the chatbot on this page to see if you qualify for the Toxic Baby Formula Lawsuit.

August 2023: Consolidation

The Judicial Panel for Multidistrict Litigation took the step of consolidating a total of 252 lawsuits pertaining to NEC claims under the case MDL 3026 in Illinois. This consolidation was directed to U.S. District Judge Rebecca Pallmeyer. Presently, the litigation process remains in its initial phases, with no settlements or jury verdicts having received approval thus far.

August 15, 2023: The count of pending NEC baby formula lawsuits within MDL 3026 totaled 205.

April 2023: Growing Number of Cases

In April 2023, the number of cases pending within MDL 3026 was 157.

During April 2023: Ongoing negotiations amongst legal representatives have centered on the procedural aspects of conducting discovery. The involved parties are obligated to present a concise summary of any unresolved matters to the court before April 25, 2023.

March 2023: Science Day Set for May

A designated date of May 3, 2023 was set by the presiding judge for science day proceedings. This special session provides an opportunity for both sides to provide the court with a comprehensive overview of general medical and scientific themes related to the case.

March 2023 figures: The tally of NEC lawsuits awaiting resolution within MDL 3026 stood at 122.

January 2023: Pending Lawsuit Under 100

In January 2023: The case count in MDL 3026 showed a total of 97 pending lawsuits.

2022: Beginning of the Lawsuit

Back in December 2022: Four specific cases, namely Clarke, Cresap, Inman, and Mar, were selected by the defendants for the purpose of bellwether test trials.

October 2022: Plaintiffs chose four cases for bellwether test trials as well: Brown, Diggs, Lopez, and Koeth. Additional bellwether cases were drawn at random and involved McCarthy, Jacobs, Kelton, and Donaldson.

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What Can I expect from a Baby Formula Lawsuit?

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When pursuing a baby formula lawsuit, you can generally expect the following steps:

The first step is to schedule a consultation with a specialized product liability attorney. During this meeting, you’ll discuss the details of your case, including any harm caused by the baby formula, evidence you have (such as medical records or product packaging), and potential legal strategies. Our team will evaluate the viability of your case and explain your legal options, including the likelihood of success and possible compensation.

If our team determines that you have a strong case, the next step is an in-depth investigation. This involves gathering all necessary evidence, consulting with medical experts, and identifying all liable parties. Your attorney will then file the lawsuit in the appropriate court, outlining the legal basis for your claim and the damages you seek. The defendants (e.g., the baby formula manufacturer) will be served with the complaint and given a chance to respond.

Because they are incredibly complex claims, mass torts claims can take several years to resolve. Once the lawsuit is filed, the litigation process begins. This includes discovery (exchange of evidence between parties), depositions (interviews under oath), and possibly pre-trial motions. Throughout this period, your attorney will negotiate with the defendants’ legal team to reach a settlement. Many cases are resolved through settlement negotiations to avoid the uncertainty and expense of a trial. If a fair settlement cannot be reached, the case will proceed to trial, where a judge or jury will determine the outcome.

If you have more questions about the lawsuit process, give us a call today at 800-359-5690. Consultations are free and confidential. 

Video: Pursuing the Toxic Baby Formula Lawsuit

How do I know my baby had NEC?

Unfortunately, parents who lost their babies to NEC may not know. Alternatively, parents of children with long-term illnesses or developmental also may not know the cause of their child’s health condition. If you suspect your baby or toddler suffered from NEC in their early months of life, contact an NEC Lawsuit Lawyer. Our legal team is available to assist you in your fight against negligent companies.

In addition to discussing your baby’s condition with an attorney, it’s also possible that you may be able to identify your baby’s condition based on the type of baby formula they were fed.

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How to Recognize if My Baby had Necrotizing Enterocolitis

The signs of NEC become apparent when there is a feeding intolerance, abdominal distension, and bloody stools after 8-10 days of age.

Typically, NEC ranges in severity. For example, some infants may have very mild cases and only mild discomfort. Others, however, experience extremely severe and life-threatening cases that can threaten the life of an infant. Necrotizing enterocolitis is linked to several conditions that parents should be aware of. These symptoms include the following:

  • Green or yellow vomit
  • Inability to gain weight
  • Lethargy
  • Swelling and pain in the abdomen
  • Changes in heart rate, blood pressure and body temperature
  • Bloody stool
  • Loss of appetite
  • Refusing to eat

Has there been a recall on Enfamil and Similac?

As of the publication of this article, the Food and Drug Administration has not recalled Similac or Enfamil baby formula—despite the packaging’s lack of a warning about an increased risk of NEC. Our team of NEC Lawsuit Attorneys is looking into the following products:

  • Similac Special Care, made by Abbott Laboratories
  • Enfamil Human Milk Fortifier, made by Mead Johnson & Company
  • Enfamil NeuroPro EnfaCare Infant Formula, made by Mead Johnson & Company

Our NEC Lawsuit Attorneys are pursuing these claims to ensure accountability for negligent baby formula manufacturers.

FAQs: Toxic Baby Formula Lawsuit

Similac and Enfamil are two of the most popular brands of infant baby formula. Both products are made from cow’s milk and given to newborns a substitute for breast milk.

Unfortunately, cow’s milk formulas are associated with NEC in premature infants. In fact, a 2019 study from Cochrane revealed that feeding a baby formula that contains cow’s milk nearly doubles the risk of developing necrotizing enterocolitis.

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a serious gastrointestinal issue that affects mostly premature babies. The condition is a serious gastrointestinal bacterial infection that results in the death or deterioration of tissues in the intestinal wall.

  • Necrotizing refers to death in cells
  • Entero refers to the intestines
  • Colitis refers to inflammation
 

In short, NEC is the death of intestinal cells after serious inflammation occurs. The condition causes intestinal tissue inflammation which leads to tissue in these organs dying. As a result, a hole forms in the baby’s intestine, leaking bacteria into the abdomen or bloodstream.

Our NEC lawsuit attorneys are reviewing claims for families who have children that were

  • Fed Similac or Enfamil formula
  • Born before 37 weeks
  • Diagnosed with necrotizing enterocolitis
 

Our compassionate baby formula lawsuit lawyers are assisting families with injury or wrongful death lawsuits against formula manufacturers. Contact us at 866-791-0971 or fill out a form to determine your next steps.

The main formula brands with NEC lawsuits against them are Similac and Enfamil. If your premature infant received any of the following, you might be able to file a baby formula lawsuit.

Similac products given to premature babies that cause NEC may include the following:

  • Special Care
  • Human Milk Fortifier
  • Neosure
  • Alimentum
  • Alimentum Expert Care
  • Similac Human Milk Fortifier Powder
  • Liquid Protein Fortifier
  • Special Care 20,
  • Special Care 24
  • Similac Human Milk Fortifier Hydrolyzed Protein — Concentrated Liquid
  • Special Care 24 High Protein
  • Special Care 30
 

Enfamil products given to premature babies that linked to NEC may include the following:

  • Enfamil Human Milk Fortifier Acidified Liquid
  • Human Milk Fortifier Powder
  • Enfamil 24 and DHA & ARA Supplement
  • Enfamil Human Milk Fortifier Hydrolyzed Protein- Concentrated Liquid
  • Enfacare Powder
  • Enfamil Human Milk Fortifier Liquid High Protein
  • Enfamil Milk Fortifier Liquid Standard Protein
  • NeuroPro Enfacare
  • Premature 20 Cal
  • Premature 24 Cal
  • Enfamil Premature 24 Cal/fl oz HP
  • Enfamil Premature 30 Cal
 

If you recognize any of the above products, schedule a free consultation with a member of our compassionate legal team. Our NEC Lawsuit Lawyers are available when you need us most.

What can i Expect from a baby formula lawsuit?

What evidence do I need to support my baby formula lawsuit?

To support your baby formula lawsuit, you'll need to gather several key pieces of evidence. This includes medical records documenting your child's illness or injury linked to the formula, the formula's packaging and labels, any receipts or proof of purchase, and any communications with the manufacturer or retailer. Additionally, having expert medical opinions that connect the formula to your child's condition can significantly strengthen your case.

What kind of compensation can I expect from a baby formula lawsuit?

Compensation in a baby formula lawsuit can vary depending on the specifics of the case. Generally, you may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, both past and future, related to your child's injury or illness. This can include hospital bills, doctor visits, and any necessary treatments or therapies. You may also be eligible for compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and any lost wages if you had to take time off work to care for your child. In some cases, punitive damages may also be awarded to punish particularly egregious conduct by the manufacturer.

How long do I have to file a baby formula lawsuit?

The time frame for filing a baby formula lawsuit, known as the statute of limitations, varies by state and the specifics of your case. In many states, the statute of limitations for product liability cases is typically between two and four years from the date of the injury or when the injury was discovered. It's crucial to consult with an attorney as soon as possible to ensure you file your claim within the appropriate time limit. An attorney can provide specific guidance based on your state's laws and the details of your situation.

The Carlson Law Firm Can Help

For nearly 50 years, The Carlson Law Firm has dedicated its services to helping victims of negligent companies. Our compassionate attorneys will treat your case with the respect it deserves. Cases like these can take years to resolve and our firm has the resources to represent your family until the payout. The Carlson Law Firm team can help hold negligent and careless companies accountable.

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There's a CARLSON LAW FIRM Near You

With over a dozen locations throughout Texas, there’s a Carlson Law Firm near you. We have law offices located in Killeen, Temple, Waco, Round Rock, Austin, San Antonio, Kerrville, Laredo, Bryan, Lubbock, Midland, and Corpus Christi.

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