Enfamil Lawsuit
Parents of infants who developed NEC after ingesting Enfamil dairy-based formula are filing lawsuits against manufacturer Mead Johnson. The company faces cases in multidistrict litigation alleging it failed to warn parents or doctors about the known link between NEC and dairy-based formula.
Latest Updates on the Enfamil Baby Formula Lawsuit
Parents of babies who developed NEC after ingesting dairy-based Enfamil are suing manufacturer Mead Johnson. The suits allege the companies didn’t warn consumers about the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis associated with cow’s milk-based infant formulas.
Because claims against Mead Johnson in NEC baby formula lawsuits are similar to those against Similac manufacturer Abbott Laboratories, plaintiffs sought consolidation into multidistrict litigation. As of December 2024 a total of 725 baby formula lawsuits had been filed in the federal MDL. Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois Rebecca R. Pallmeyer is overseeing the MDL.
- October 2024: Mead Johnson and Abbott have won the latest state baby formula trial, where both were listed as defendants. A St. Louis jury sided with the baby formula manufacturers over a claim made by a mother whose baby developed NEC that the companies failed to warn about risks of the intestinal disease. This is a departure from past state court results. Mead Johnson had been ordered to pay $60 million in a similar case in March.
In the MDL, trial dates have been proposed for the baby formula bellwether cases, with the first trial set for May 5, 2025. The final case, which involves Enfamil manufacturer Mead Johnson, is set to begin in February 2026. - September 2024: The order has been set for the four bellwether cases in the baby formula MDL. The first three cases to go to trial will be focused on the maker of Similac, with the final trial listing Enfamil manufacturer Mead Johnson as the defendant.
- July 2024: A St. Louis jury heard evidence in a case where Margo Gill claimed Similac caused NEC in her premature daughter and Abbott Laboratories failed to warn of risks. At the end of the trial, the jury found in favor of Gill and awarded $495 million, $95 in damages and $400 in punitive damages. This trial follows a $60 million Enfamil verdict. So far, juries have been favoring plaintiffs in these first two trials in state courts. The first bellwether trial in the federal baby formula MDL is slated to begin in 2025.
- May 2023: The number of pending cases reaches 166.
- October 2022: Plaintiffs, defendants and the court select 12 bellwether cases to go to trial early. Bellwether trials gauge jury reaction to evidence and can help facilitate a quicker settlement.
- April 2022: Courts allow the consolidation of NEC baby formula lawsuits against Johnson Mead and Abbott Laboratories into a single MDL.
- February 2022: Johnson Mead and Abbott Laboratories and plaintiffs seek to consolidate cases filed against Enfamil and Similac dairy-based baby formulas after infants given the formulas developed NEC.
Plaintiffs in the MDL contend that both Mead and Abbott knew about NEC risks, but promoted their dairy-based infant nutrition products to families and the medical community without warnings. They also claim that the risk was not explained on product labels.
MDL vs. Other Similac Lawsuits
While Enfamil and Similar manufacturers are both involved in the same MDL, there are other Similac lawsuits unrelated to NEC. These separate suits are connected to bacterial contamination in Similac baby formula.
The contamination lawsuits were filed following formula recalls and a nationwide formula shortage in 2022. Enfamil is not involved.
Why Are Enfamil Lawsuits Being Filed?
The parents of infants given Enfamil’s dairy-based formula who later developed NEC are suing Mead Johnson for medical expenses and damages. In some cases, infants died after developing NEC linked to the baby formula.
Shennice Joseph, for example, alleges that her premature infant was given Enfamil cow’s milk formula in the neonatal intensive care unit at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Egleston Hospital. After consuming the formula for two months, the child developed NEC and later died of renal failure. Joseph is suing Mead Johnson for more than $75,000 in damages.
Octavia Patton-Ashley is suing both Mead Johnson and Abbott Laboratories after her son contracted NEC. She says wasn’t aware of the NEC risk and used the product because of a doctor recommendation.
Her lawsuit alleges that both formula manufacturers withheld information from doctors that may have prevented their formula recommendations. Patton-Ashley’s baby died after care in the Children’s Hospital in Colorado.
Who Is Eligible to File an Enfamil Lawsuit?
If your infant contracted NEC after ingesting Enfamil dairy-based infant formula, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit. Filing an Enfamil lawsuit may help you recover money spent on medical treatments or lost wages, and you may receive compensation for emotional hardship.
A free review of your case with an experienced attorney can help determine your eligibility. If you choose to pursue legal action, they can help you file and manage your Enfamil lawsuit.
Formula Brands Named in Enfamil Lawsuits
All dairy-based Enfamil baby formula products can be named in Enfamil lawsuits. Enfamil baby formula products include supplement formulas and human milk fortifiers and may come in liquid or powder formulations.
- Enfamil 24 Calorie Formula
- Enfamil DHA-In-Sol
- Enfamil Enfagrow Toddler and Enfagrow Premium Toddler
- Enfamil Enspire
- Enfamil Human Milk Fortifier Acidified Liquid
- Enfamil Human Milk Fortifier Powder (HCPM)
- Enfamil Liquid Human Milk Fortifier Standard Protein
- Enfamil NeuroPro EnfaCare Premature Baby Formula
- Enfamil NeuroPro Gentlease
- Enfamil Nutramigen
- Enfamil Premature 24 Cal
- Enfamil Premature 30 Cal
- Enfamil Premature Infant Formula 24 Cal
- Enfamil Premature Infant Formula 30 Cal with Iron
- Enfamil Premature Infant Iron Formula 20 Cal
- Enfamil Liquid Human Milk Fortifier High Protein
Speak with your child’s doctor or pediatrician if you have concerns about these products. You may consider filing an Enfamil baby formula lawsuit if your child developed NEC after using any of these Mead Johnson formula products.
14 Cited Research Articles
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- United States Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation. (2024, December 2). MDL Statistics Report - Distribution of Pending MDL Dockets by District. Retrieved from https://www.jpml.uscourts.gov/sites/jpml/files/Pending_MDL_Dockets_By_Actions_Pending-December-2-2024.pdf
- United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division. (2024, October 4). Stipulation Regarding Proposed Trial Dates. Retrieved from https://ecf.ilnd.uscourts.gov/doc1/067131234295
- Pierson, B. & Knauth, D. (2024, July 26). Abbott must pay $495 million in premature infant formula trial, jury finds. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/abbott-must-pay-95-million-premature-infant-formula-trial-jury-finds-2024-07-26/
- The Legal Examiner. (2023, June 5). What Does Multidistrict Litigation Mean for NEC Baby Formula Lawsuits. Retrieved from https://www.legalexaminer.com/home-family/nec-baby-formula-lawsuits/what-does-multidistrict-litigation-mean-for-nec-baby-formula-lawsuits/
- Stempel, J. (2023, May 22). Judge Tosses Out Some Claims in Abbott Baby Formula Litigation. Retrieved from https://money.usnews.com/investing/news/articles/2023-05-22/judge-tosses-some-claims-in-Abbott-baby-formula-litigation
- U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation. (2023, May 15). MDL Statistics Report – Distribution of Pending MDL Dockets by District. Retrieved from https://www.jpml.uscourts.gov/sites/jpml/files/Pending_MDL_Dockets_By_District-May-15-2023.pdf
- Ott, M. (2023, February 21). Enfamil maker recalls potentially contaminated baby formula. Retrieved from https://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory/enfamil-maker-recalls-potentially-contaminated-baby-formula-97357069
- Lyubomirova, T. (2023, February 7). ‘Catastrophic and preventable’: Mother sues Mead Johnson over baby’s death. Retrieved from https://www.dairyreporter.com/Article/2023/02/07/Catastrophic-and-preventable-Mother-sues-Mead-Johnson-over-baby-s-death
- Docket Report. (2023, January 26). Lucas v. Mead Johnson & Company, LLC et al. Retrieved from https://dockets.justia.com/docket/louisiana/laedce/2:2023cv00121/259005
- Luhana, R. (2022, October 7). Parties Select 12 Bellwether Cases in NEC Baby Formula Litigation. Retrieved from https://newyork.legalexaminer.com/home-family/parties-select-12-bellwether-cases-in-nec-baby-formula-litigation/
- Newman, J. (2022, September 8). FDA Baby Formula Oversight Is Criticized in Internal Review. Retrieved from https://www.wsj.com/articles/fda-review-identifies-problems-with-agencys-oversight-of-infant-formula-11663715933?mod=article_inline
- The Canadian Press. (2022, February 18). Several powdered infant formulas sold under Similac label recalled in Canada. Retrieved from https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/infant-formula-recall-1.6356383
- Jones, D.N. (2021, December 14). Consolidation of baby formula lawsuits sought in Illinois. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/consolidation-baby-formula-lawsuits-sought-illinois-2021-12-15/
- U.S. Government Publishing Office. (n.d.). Content Details: 22-2613-Johnson vs Mead Johnson and Company, LLC, et al. Retrieved from https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/USCOURTS-ilnd-1_22-cv-02613
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