Mounting evidence shows that certain cow’s milk-based baby formulas, particularly Enfamil (manufactured by Mead Johnson) and Similac (manufactured by Abbott Laboratories), have been linked to Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC), a life-threatening gastrointestinal disease in premature babies.
Families across the United States have filed lawsuits claiming that these companies failed to warn consumers and medical providers about the risks associated with their products. If your child developed NEC after consuming Enfamil or Similac, you may be entitled to compensation.
At Nadrich Accident Injury Lawyers, our experienced toxic baby formula attorneys are fighting on behalf of families to hold negligent corporations accountable.
Nadrich Accident Injury Lawyers – The Right Choice for Your NEC Case
- Client Focused Approach – From the moment you sign with us, our legal team will always make sure your voice is heard and your concerns are addressed.
- Dedicated Legal Advocates – As NEC baby formula lawsuits can take a heavy emotional toll, our team of product liability lawyers understands what is at stake and will do everything in their power to get you justice.
- Comprehensive Case Preparation – We gather medical proof, lost-earnings documentation, and expert opinions to quantify every loss the law allows and build out cases with compelling evidence.
- Communication You Can Rely On – When you sign on with us, you will have access to communication with the attorney handling your case.
- Rapid Investigation – From the moment we take on your case, our attorneys act promptly to gather evidence, file motions and appeals, and develop a legal strategy tailored to the circumstances of your case.
We understand the heartbreak that comes with a premature baby’s illness, and we are here to pursue justice while you focus on your child’s health and recovery.
Call us today at (866) 630-8433 or fill out our easy online contact form for a free case consultation.
What is Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC)?
Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) is a devastating gastrointestinal condition that primarily affects premature infants. It occurs when bacteria invade the intestinal wall, causing inflammation, infection, and tissue death. In severe cases, NEC can lead to a perforated intestine, sepsis, or even death.
According to medical studies, NEC is one of the leading causes of illness and mortality among premature infants in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).
Symptoms of NEC
- Swollen or bloated abdomen
- Difficulty feeding or intolerance to food
- Blood in the stool
- Lethargy and low activity levels
- Vomiting, sometimes with bile
- Sudden drop in blood pressure or unstable vital signs
Because premature babies already face a higher risk of medical complications, NEC can overwhelm their fragile systems and result in life-altering injuries. Treatment often requires antibiotics, bowel rest, and, in many cases, emergency surgery to remove dead or infected portions of the intestines.
Can Baby Formula Cause Necrotizing Enterocolitis?
- Multiple clinical studies have found that premature infants fed cow’s milk-based baby formula face a significantly higher risk of developing NEC compared to those who are breastfed or given human milk-based alternatives.
- Despite these studies, manufacturers like Abbott (Similac) and Mead Johnson (Enfamil) continued to market their products to hospitals and parents without adequate warning about the risks.
- Parents allege that these companies knew or should have known about the connection between cow’s milk formula and NEC, yet failed to properly warn the public. Instead, they profited by promoting their formulas as safe and beneficial for premature babies.
- These lawsuits claim that had parents and doctors been properly warned, they could have made safer feeding choices, potentially preventing devastating NEC diagnoses.
Recent NEC Lawsuit Updates
As of August 2026, hundreds of NEC lawsuits have been consolidated into multidistrict litigation (MDL 3026) in the Northern District of Illinois.
This consolidation allows families from across the country to bring their claims together under one federal judge, streamlining discovery and pretrial proceedings.
The first bellwether trial in the MDL is underway. It involves claims which were brought against Mead Johnson, the manufacturer of Enfamil. The lawsuit alleges that an infant died from NEC after being fed Enfamil.
Abbott Laboratories reached a settlement agreement that will resolve a part of the Similac litigation. The company announced it will pay about $670 million to resolve one case that reached trial as well as claims brought on behalf of 2,000 other infants.
The additional lawsuits are involving plaintiffs who are represented by three law firms.
According to Abbott, about 1,700 lawsuits will remain pending in state and federal courts, involving claims filed on behalf of about 12,700 infants against Abbott, Mead Johnson or both formula makers over their formula products.
Other recent results in the overarching litigation, not just the MDL, have been mixed.
In April, an Illinois jury awarded $70 million to four mothers who alleged that their newborn children developed NEC after being fed Similac formula. And, in June, a Missouri appeals court declined Abbott Laboratories’ request to have its appeal of a $495 million verdict transferred to Missouri’s Supreme Court.
However, July saw the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit refuse to reinstate an NEC wrongful death lawsuit, and June saw an Illinois appeals court vacate a $60 million verdict in another NEC wrongful death lawsuit.
In addition, July saw a St. Louis jury rule in favor of Mead Johnson in a lawsuit that alleged that Enfamil caused an infant to develop NEC.
Key Updates (August 2026)
- Multiple bellwether trials in the federal NEC MDL are set to begin or conclude in the very near future.
- Recent results in the overarching NEC litigation have been mixed, with multiple court decisions and verdicts favoring plaintiffs and multiple court decisions and verdicts favoring defendants.
- Settlements and payouts are not finalized yet, but the litigation continues to grow as more families file lawsuits.
Do You Have an NEC Lawsuit?
You may qualify for an NEC lawsuit if your baby:
- Was born prematurely
- Was fed Similac, Enfamil, or another cow’s milk-based baby formula.
- Developed Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC)
- Incurred medical expenses or long-term care needs
- Tragically passed away due to NEC
While each case is unique, eligibility depends on medical evidence and the specific circumstances of your child’s illness.
If you believe you may have an NEC lawsuit, it is strongly advised to consult with an experienced attorney who can help determine whether you have a case.
How Much Is the Payout For an NEC Lawsuit?
Potential compensation may vary significantly depending on the facts of each case, including the severity of injuries and long-term medical needs.
- The severity of the NEC diagnosis.
- Whether surgery or long-term medical care was required.
- The lasting impact on the child’s quality of life.
- Emotional trauma and suffering of the family.
- Wrongful death damages in fatal cases.
Settlements may also include punitive damages, which are designed to punish companies for reckless conduct and deter future wrongdoing.
What You Can Recover in NEC Baby Formula Lawsuits?
Families affected by NEC may be entitled to recover compensation for a variety of damages, including:
- Medical Expenses– NICU care, surgeries, medications, and long-term treatments.
- Future Medical Costs– Ongoing care for children left with permanent injuries or disabilities.
- Pain and Suffering– Emotional anguish endured by both the infant and the parents.
- Lost Wages– If parents missed work to care for their hospitalized child.
- Wrongful Death Damages– Funeral and burial expenses, as well as compensation for the devastating loss of a child.
While the total value of damages will vary on a case by case basis, it is highly recommended to consult with an experienced lawyer who has handled NEC baby formula lawsuits to get a better understanding of your situation. By doing so, it will ensure your family’s chances of receiving the full scope of financial recovery after being harmed by dangerous baby formula products.
How Much Does an NEC Lawyer Charge?
At Nadrich Accident Injury Lawyers, we believe that every family should have access to justice, regardless of financial circumstances. That’s why our NEC baby formula lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. This means:
- You pay no upfront fees.
- We cover the costs of building your case, including hiring medical experts and investigators.
- You only pay if we successfully secure compensation through a settlement or verdict.
This ensures that families can file an NEC lawsuit and pursue justice without worrying about legal bills during an already stressful time.
Contact Us For a Free NEC Lawsuit Consultation
If your child developed Necrotizing Enterocolitis after consuming Enfamil or Similac formula, you are not alone and you have legal rights. The attorneys at Nadrich Accident Injury Lawyers are here to guide you through the process, answer your questions, and fight aggressively for your family’s future.
No family should have to watch their child suffer because of potentially dangerous baby formula products. We are committed to helping families pursue accountability and understand their legal options.
Call us today at (866) 630-8433 or fill out our easy online contact form for a free case consultation.
Enfamil and Similac NEC Lawsuit Updates
August 12, 2026 Update
A last-minute Mead Johnson effort to dismiss an Enfamil NEC lawsuit has been rejected by a federal judge.
The trial is set for jury selection, which will start later this week.
Mead Johnson and Abbott Laboratories currently face over 800 Enfamil and Similac NEC lawsuits filed in federal court. The lawsuits argue that the companies provided hospitals with formula products designed to give premature infants nutrition, but without warning that the products increased NEC risks.
Mead Johnson had recently filed a motion that claimed that federal law preempted the wrongful death lawsuit. That argument rested on the recent Supreme Court decision Monsanto Co. v. Durnell which gave Roundup’s manufacturers immunity from some lawsuits.
However, the motion was rejected by the judge, who noted that the Monsanto case involved FIFRA, which specifically has a preemption clause.
The judge ruled that the argument was faulty because, in this case, the FDA doesn’t need to approve a design prior to it going on the market.
