NEC Lawsuits in Kansas City, MO

Cow’s milk-based baby formula, such as Similac and Enfamil, has been found to put premature babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at risk of developing necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a serious and potentially life-threatening gastrointestinal disease.

This link has formed the basis of multiple lawsuits filed against Abbott Laboratories and Mead Johnson & Company, LLC for their failure to warn parents of the health risks associated with Similac and Enfamil. Many of these parents would never have given cow’s milk-based formulas to their babies had they known of their toxicity.

If your child has suffered injuries or a wrongful death due to NEC complications, you may have the right to file suit against the offending formula manufacturer.

Entrust Your Case to Our Experienced Attorneys

At Peterson & Associates, P.C., we fight to hold negligent companies and corporations accountable for the harm they cause. When companies put profit over safety, we hold them accountable.

To us, our clients are like family. That’s why we will work tirelessly to recover your full and fair compensation. That’s also why we offer our legal services on a contingency fee basis—there are no fees unless we win!

To find out if you qualify for a toxic baby formula lawsuit, speak to a Kansas City attorney. Call 816-888-8888 or contact us online to book your free consultation.

What Is Necrotizing Enterocolitis?

Necrotizing enterocolitis is a serious condition that inflames the intestinal tissue, causing it to die. A hole may then form in the intestine and allow bacteria to leak into the abdomen or bloodstream.

NEC is very common in the NICU: According to Cleveland Clinic, nine out of 10 babies who are diagnosed with NEC were born prematurely. The risk is the greatest for those with a birthweight of lower than 2 pounds.

Common signs and symptoms of NEC include:

  • Abdominal pain/swelling
  • Green or yellow vomit
  • Diarrhea and/or bloody stool
  • Lethargy/excessive fatigue
  • Lack of weight gain
  • Refusing to eat
  • Changes in breathing, heart rate, body temperature, or blood pressure

Some premature babies may only experience a mild case of NEC; a severe case could, however, result in death.

Studies Support the Link Between Toxic Baby Formula and NEC

Peer-reviewed studies have supported the link between cow’s milk-based baby formula and NEC since the 1980s. Just a handful of examples include:

  • The 1990 study published in The Lancet, which showed that NEC was about six to 10 times more common among formula-fed babies. A total of 926 preterm infants participated in the study.
  • The U.S. Surgeon General’s 2011 call to action in support of breastfeeding in which she associated formula feeding with higher rates of NEC among vulnerable premature babies.
  • The 2012 study published in The Journal of Pediatrics, which concluded that babies who were given breast milk and breast milk fortifier were 90% less likely to develop surgical NEC than those who were given formula.
  • The 2021 study published by the American Academy of Pediatrics that detailed the findings of four randomized clinical trials (one dating back to 1983), each of which supported the link between cow’s milk and NEC. On the other hand, human milk was found to reduce the incidence of NEC by 58%.

Get Started on Your Toxic Baby Formula Lawsuit

Has your baby been diagnosed with NEC? Don’t wait to call our trial lawyers at Peterson & Associates, P.C. A lawsuit may result in compensation for the cost of future medical treatment, past medical expenses, pain and suffering, and more.

Our commitment to helping people is what defines us. With over half a billion dollars recovered, we stand ready to help you.