Last month, the FDA investigated consumer complaints of salmonella and cronobacter infections. All of these complaints have reported having consumed powdered infant formula.
Parents of babies that have died or have gotten sick due to Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) should consider filing a lawsuit against the baby formula manufacturers. The victims can file a product liability, medical negligence, or wrongful death claim against Similac, Alimentum, or EleCare baby formula manufacturers.
What Is Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC)?
Necrotizing enterocolitis is a digestive disease that primarily occurs in premature infants and can cause inflammation of the intestinal lining, leading to severe infections. In these cases, the inflamed intestinal wall is eroded, allowing bacteria to enter the intestinal tract and jeopardize an infant’s health.
The medical professional caring for your infant should monitor for the following symptoms:
- Low blood pressure
- Fluctuations in temperature
- Diarrhea
- Swollen, red, or tender stomach
- Abnormal breathing
- Abdominal pressure
Most infants survive the disease with long-term injuries, but some may lose their life. Parents should not have to fear for the safety of their infants because of a baby formula product. Our baby formula injury attorneys can hold the manufacturers responsible for their negligence and seek justice for you and your infant.
What Causes NEC?
What causes NEC is not yet known for sure, but it is believed that the condition is caused by intestinal injury, which allows bacteria to enter the bloodstream. Inflammation caused by aggressive bacteria is often a trigger for NEC.
Some infants may develop chronic symptoms, such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and bloating. Although there are no known determinants of the cause, there are several possible risk factors for this disease. For example, babies born prematurely are more likely to have it than other newborns, so getting a proper diagnosis and treatment is essential.
Baby Formula Products That Cause NEC
Not all powdered baby formulas cause necrotizing enterocolitis. However, some cow-based products made by Similac and Enfamil pose a risk to your child’s health.
If you have any of the products listed below, you should dispose of them and feed your child a safer alternative:
- Similac Special Care 20
- Similac NeoSure
- Similac Liquid Protein Fortifier
- Similac Special Care 24 – High Protein
- Similac Special Care 24
- Similac Special Care 30
- Enfamil 24 Cal
- Enfamil Human Milk Fortifier
- Enfamil NeuroPro EnfaCare
A Mother in The Woodlands Worried About Her Son After a Formula Recall
After reading about a recent infant formula recall, a mother in The Woodlands, Texas, grew concerned about her son’s health. She says the product, EleCare, is one of the brands involved in the issue. The problem is that the company, Abbott, manufactures this brand. The company has been recalled over a series of complaints concerning the contamination of the product.
Enfamil and Similac Have Been Linked to a Deadly Condition
The FDA has recalled several products made by the Enfamil and Similac companies. These baby formulas reportedly give babies bacterial infections. In response to the recall, the FDA tested the formula and has recalled Enfamil, Similac, and EleCare. There are also lawsuits against the manufacturer of Alimentum.
These two infant formulas are the most commonly fed in neonatal intensive care units. The dangers of these formulas are so severe that they are not recommended for babies under six months of age. In addition to being a life-threatening condition, cow’s milk-based products put infants at risk of necrotizing enterocolitis, a condition that causes inflammation and can lead to severe injury. Ultimately, these babies may also develop neurodevelopmental problems.
The problem is not just one product. High-calorie cow’s milk-based formulas can cause a gastrointestinal disorder called necrotizing enterocolitis, which inflames and kills the intestinal tissue. Mead Johnson & Company, the Similac and Enfamil manufacturer, denies any knowledge of this health risk.
In recent years, parents of premature infants have been filing lawsuits against the manufacturers of these formulas. They claim that the products put preemies at risk of necrotizing enterocolitis, a potentially life-threatening disease.
What a Successful NEC Lawsuit Requires
A successful lawsuit in an NEC baby formula case will require you to prove that the product is the cause of the disease. Several factors contribute to this type of lawsuit. For instance, the baby formula manufacturer should have informed consumers about the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis before they produced the product. The company is also responsible for not providing the proper nutritional supplements for babies. Aside from the potential dangers of introducing NEC to a child, the product must have been marketed with the appropriate warnings for the baby.
This case is critical because the company that produces the baby formula is responsible for the dangerous condition. The lawsuit seeks to compensate parents for the severe conditions their babies have experienced. The families of premature infants who have suffered due to NEC should contact a baby formula injury attorney who can help them. Joe I. Zaid & Associates offers a free case evaluation to help you determine if you have a viable claim.
Damages You May Recover
No one should endanger the well-being by consuming a product found on store shelves, especially when it’s a child who’s trying to grow and develop. By taking legal action against these manufacturers, we can prevent their products from causing harm to others and educate the industry that this kind of behavior is unacceptable.
You and your child can recover damages such as:
- Funeral expenses
- Diminished/ total loss of life’s enjoyment
- Pain and suffering
- Medical expenses
Has Your Child Gotten Sick or Died Due to a Powdered Baby Formula?
If your infant has suffered a severe illness or died after being fed baby formula, you should consult with a baby formula injury attorney. Call Joe I. Zaid & Associates at (346) 756-9243 for a free no-obligation consultation.
We don’t get paid until we win your case.
