Cow’s milk-based baby formulas, such as Similac or Enfamil, are often given to premature babies in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs). This may seem fine on the surface—after all, cow’s milk can serve as a good source of calcium and protein for kids and adults. But cow’s milk-based baby formulas have been linked to a heightened risk of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a serious gastrointestinal disease, among premature babies.

Despite this link, the companies behind these toxic baby formulas have failed to warn parents and medical professionals of this health hazard. If your child has been diagnosed with NEC after ingesting Similac, Enfamil, or other cow’s milk-based baby formulas, you may have the right to sue the manufacturer for compensation.

Contact Houssiere Durant & Houssiere, LLP online to learn more about your rights in a free consultation. Our Houston attorneys are pursuing toxic baby formula lawsuits nationwide.

What Is Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC)?

Necrotizing enterocolitis is a rare but serious disease that affects a premature baby’s gastrointestinal tract. NEC allows bacteria to invade the intestinal tissue, causing it to become inflamed. This may then lead to a crack or gap in the wall of the intestine, through which bacteria may leak into the abdomen. When left untreated, NEC could result in serious infections and, unfortunately, death.

Premature babies with NEC often experience the following symptoms within the first two weeks of life:

Is There a Recall on Baby Formula?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has yet to recall Similac, Enfamil, or other cow’s milk-based baby products. However, that does not mean the link between these products and NEC is unfounded; in fact, numerous peer-reviewed studies have supported the link.

Take, for example, a recent study published in 2021 by the American Academy of Pediatrics. This study delved into the findings of four randomized clinical trials that all found cow’s milk increased a premature infant’s risk of developing NEC. Worse, one of these trials was conducted back in 1983—nearly 40 years ago.

Another example is the 1990 study, published by The Lancet, that found NEC to be about 6 to 10 times more common among exclusively formula-fed infants than it was among infants fed only breast milk. When these infants were given a mixture of formula and breast milk, the risk was still 3 times higher than those given only breast milk.

The former U.S. Surgeon General even highlighted the link in a 2011 call to action, promoting breast milk over cow’s milk.

Filing a Similac/Enfamil Lawsuit

Multiple lawsuits have already been filed against Abbott Laboratories and Mead Johnson & Company, LLC, the manufacturers of Similac and Enfamil, respectively. Plaintiffs allege that these manufacturers failed to warn them of the heightened NEC risk created by cow’s milk. They further allege that the manufacturers should have known of this risk, given the numerous scientific studies detailing it.

It is not too late to file your own lawsuit. The sooner you get started, the stronger your case will likely be. Don’t wait to reach out to an attorney for legal advice. You may be eligible for compensation for medical bills, the cost of medication, your and your child’s pain and suffering, and more.

Call a National Lawyer at (800) 914-2894

At Houssiere Durant & Houssiere, LLP, we know that nothing can make up for the harm done to your child. We firmly believe, however, that you deserve answers. We also believe that the negligent manufacturer owes you compensation for what happened. That’s why we are committed to advocating for parents whose children have developed NEC due to cow’s milk-based baby formula. We will fight to recover your full and fair compensation and, most importantly, win justice for you and your child.

Learn if you are eligible to file a toxic baby formula lawsuit—call our national lawyers at (800) 914-2894 today!