Enfamil lawsuits allege this commonly used baby formula has caused many premature infants to develop a serious and potentially fatal gastrointestinal infection called Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC).
Our law firm is currently examining potential Enfamil lawsuits against the company that manufactures Enfamil, Mead Johnson, based on its failure to warn about the risks of NEC.
One such lawsuit was recently settled in St. Louis, Missouri state court for $495M in damages. A jury found that the formula for premature infants caused an Illinois girl to develop NEC.
Necrotizing Enterocolitis is an incredibly serious condition that often results in permanent injury or death. Families who bring successful baby formula NEC lawsuits could receive a significant financial compensation payout for the harm their babies endured. Our Enfamil NEC baby formula lawyers will explore how to determine if your family is eligible for compensation.
What Is NEC & Why Is It So Dangerous?
Necrotizing Enterocolitis is a gastrointestinal infection that can cause rapid death of tissue in the inner intestinal walls of an infant. NEC usually occurs in premature babies (born 37 weeks or earlier) and the infection can develop in the large or small intestine. The necrotizing infection starts in the inner intestinal wall lining and gradually spreads to the entire thickness of the intestine.
Cases of NEC tend to range in severity. In some infants, NEC may be mild and only cause discomfort from inflammation of the bowels. In other cases, NEC can be very serious and potentially fatal for the baby. Severe cases of NEC that are not immediately and effectively treated can cause a hole or perforation to develop in the intestinal wall as the tissue decays. This can lead to short bowel syndrome, a condition the child will carry for the rest of their life.
When perforation of the intestine occurs with NEC, it creates a very dangerous situation that is potentially life-threatening. The hole in the intestine wall enables harmful bacteria to escape the digestive system and invade the abdominal cavity. This can quickly lead to a system-wide infection and eventually progress into the deadly bloodstream infection called sepsis.
The Link Between Enfamil and NEC
The earliest medical evidence establishing a link between cow milk formulas like Enfamil and higher rates of NEC dates to the early 1990s. More recent scientific studies have definitively proven that when Enfamil (or other cow-milk formulas) is fed to premature infants, it significantly increases their risk of developing NEC compared to preemies that are given human breast milk.
If a premature infant is fed exclusively with Enfamil or another cow milk formula, studies have shown that they are TEN TIMES more likely to develop NEC than babies fed with breast milk.
The evidence linking cow milk formula to NEC in preemies is so strong that the American Academy of Pediatrics, the U.S. Surgeon General, and many health organizations have strongly advocated against feeding Enfamil with cow milk to premature infants.
Our law firm is currently looking into potential Enfamil lawsuits against the company that manufactures Enfamil, Mead Johnson, based on its failure to warn about the risks of NEC.
NEC is an incredibly serious condition that often results in serious and permanent injury or death. Families who bring successful baby formula NEC lawsuits could receive a significant financial compensation payout for the awful harm their babies endured.
Enfamil’s Manufacturer Failed to Warn About the Risk of NEC
Enfamil is manufactured and sold by Mead Johnson Nutrition. For years, Mead Johnson knew about the overwhelming scientific evidence and clinical studies showing that Enfamil puts premature babies at higher risk for NEC.
Enfamil Baby Formula Brands Mentioned in Lawsuits
- Enfamil NeoPro EnfaCare Infant Formula
- Mead Johnson says is the "best" for premature babies
- Enfamil Premature Infant Formula 20 Cal with Iron
- Enfamil 24 Cal Infant Formula
- Enfamil Premature Infant Formula 24 Cal High Protein
- Enfamil Premature Infant Formula 24 Cal with Iron
- Enfamil Premature Infant Formula 30 Cal with Iron
- Enfamil Human Milk Fortifier
- Enfamil Human Milk Fortifier Acidified Liquid
- Enfamil Human Milk Fortifier Powder
- Enfacare Powder
- Enfamil Human Milk Fortifier Liquid High Protein
- Enfamil Milk Fortifier Liquid Standard Protein
- Enfamil NeuroPro Enfacare
- Enfamil Premature 20 Cal
- Enfamil Premature 24 Cal
- Enfamil Premature 24 Cal/fl oz HP
- Enfamil Premature 30 Cal
- Enfamil 24 and DHA & ARA Supplement
Despite the evidence, Mead Johnson has repeatedly declined to include a warning label on its Enfamil packaging cautioning consumers and doctors about the risk of NEC. This is a choice that Mead Johnson continues to make. Enfamil lawyers in this litigation will seek documents where a label warning was discussed.
Product manufacturers like Mead Johnson have a legal duty to warn consumers about known hazards associated with their products. Mead Johnson clearly had an obligation to warn that Enfamil put premature infants at high risk for NEC.
Mead ignored that obligation to maintain the marketability of their product. This failure to warn about the risk of NEC for premature infants is the basis of Enfamil NEC lawsuits being filed against Mead Johnson.
Contact Our Enfamil NEC Lawyers Today
The infant formula lawyers at Bart Durham Injury Law are actively seeking Enfamil NEC lawsuits from parents of premature infants who were fed with Enfamil (or another cow milk-based formula) and subsequently developed NEC. You can call our experienced team today at 800-844-1712 or contact us online.
