What is the NEC lawsuit?

NEC lawsuits and baby formula lawsuits stem from premature infants being diagnosed with Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) after being fed Similac® or Enfamil® baby formula in the neonatal intensive care (NICU) or hospital. The condition is marked by bacteria entering the baby’s intestines, causing inflammation. This inflammation can lead to serious injury or death, as the bacteria leaks into the abdomen. You may qualify for compensation if your infant:

• was born prematurely (34 weeks gestational weeks or less),
• was given Similac® or Enfamil formula®,
• was diagnosed with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), or
• suffered a wrongful death or underwent a surgical procedure as a result of the NEC.

The NEC lawsuit attorneys at Hollis, Wright & Clay, P.C. are standing by to help you if you or a family member has had a premature baby who developed NEC after being fed cow’s milk formula. Our firm has been fighting for the rights of injured victims for 20 years and are fully equipped to handle your case. You can reach us here or call us at 844.LAW.TALK or 205.324.3600.

Years of research, dating back to the 1990s, have indicated that cow’s milk-based formulas are linked to NEC in premature infants. The Mead Johnson Nutrition Company that produces Enfamil® and Abbott Laboratories that produces Similac®, did not include any warnings to this effect on their products and in fact, led parents to believe the formula was an adequate or even superior substitution for breast milk.

Researchers have found that only 3% of premature babies fed exclusively breast milk develop NEC as opposed to 21% of premature babies fed formula. Additionally, many hospitals often fortify breast milk with cow’s milk formula for premature babies when possible. Still the babies fed formula-fortified breast milk are at a 4.2 times greater risk of NEC, and at a 5.1 times greater risk of surgical NEC or death.

For this reason, many health experts, including The American Academy of Pediatrics and the U.S. Surgeon General warn that all premature infants should be fed either their mother’s breast milk or the milk of a certified human milk donor.

While not all cow’s milk baby formulas are linked to NEC in premature infants, many of the Enfamil® and Similac® variations of formulas do pose this risk. See the Mead Johnson Nutrition Company’s Enfamil® list below:

• Enfamil® NeoPro EnfaCare Infant Formula
• Enfamil® Premature Infant Formula 24 Cal High Protein
• Enfamil® Premature Infant Formula 30 Cal with Iron
• Enfamil® Premature Infant Formula 24 Cal with Iron
• Enfamil® Premature Infant Formula 20 Cal with Iron
• Enfamil® 24 Cal Infant Formula
• Enfamil® Human Milk Fortifier (acidified liquid and powder)

See the Abbott Laboratories Similac® list below:

• Similac® NeoSure
• Similac® Special Care 20
• Similac® Special Care 24
• Similac® Special Care 24 High Protein
• Similac® Special Care 30
• Similac® Alimentum Expert Care
• Similac® Human Milk Fortifier
• Similac® Human Milk Fortifier Hydrolyzed Protein Concentrated Liquid
• Similac® Liquid Protein Fortifier

The NEC lawsuit attorneys at Hollis, Wright & Clay, P.C. are available to evaluate your case confidentially. Additionally, there is no upfront cost to you. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning we don’t collect any money unless we recover damages for you. While we understand that nothing can alleviate the pain of your child’s injury or death, we can help you through an unimaginable time by ensuring you are compensated for medical bills and pain and suffering. In addition, we will help raise awareness of unsafe products on the market. You can reach us here or at 844.LAW.TALK or 205.324.3600.