Baby Formula NEC Lawsuit
When you bring a premature baby into the world, every moment matters. You trust doctors and nurses to give your child the best chance at life, and you trust the formula they recommend will be safe. But for many families, that trust was betrayed.
If your premature baby developed necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) after being fed cow’s milk-based formula in the NICU, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit. Parents across the country are now seeking justice from the manufacturers of products like Enfamil and Similac, which have been linked to a higher risk of NEC in preemies.
At Ferrer Poirot Feller, we’re standing up for families whose babies suffered devastating complications that may have been preventable. NEC is a life-threatening condition, and in too many cases, parents were never warned about the risks.
You don’t have to carry the burden of this loss—or this fight—on your own. We can help you understand your legal rights, explain what happens next, and work to hold the formula manufacturers accountable. A Baby Formula NEC Lawsuit Lawyer can guide you through each step. You won’t pay anything unless we win your case.
Why Hire a Baby Formula NEC Lawsuit Lawyer?
Filing a birth injury or wrongful death claim related to NEC is not a simple process. Formula manufacturers like Abbott (Similac) and Mead Johnson (Enfamil) are massive corporations with deep legal resources. They will fight these claims aggressively—and often deny responsibility entirely.
That’s why you need more than just a lawyer. You need a legal team that understands both the medical science and the corporate tactics involved in these cases.
At Ferrer Poirot Feller, we’ve helped families across the country take action after their newborns were harmed by unsafe products. We work with neonatology experts, review hospital records, and gather the medical evidence needed to prove your case, so contact us for a free consultation and learn how we can help.
Most importantly, we handle everything for you, so you can focus on your family, your healing, and your future.
Whether your baby survived NEC and now faces long-term complications, or you lost a child to this devastating condition, we’re here to help you take the next step. You deserve answers. We’re here to fight for them.
The Link Between Baby Formula and NEC in Premature Infants
Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is one of the most serious gastrointestinal conditions a premature baby can face. It causes inflammation and tissue death in the intestines, and in severe cases, can lead to infection, multiple surgeries, or even death. The condition often progresses rapidly, and leaves parents with little time to act.
Mounting research has shown that cow’s milk-based formulas, such as Similac and Enfamil, significantly increase the risk of NEC in premature infants compared to human milk or donor milk. Despite this, many hospitals have continued using these formulas in NICUs without warning families of the potential danger.
Abbott and Mead Johnson have known for years that their formulas pose a risk to preemies, but they failed to include adequate warnings on the packaging. They continued to market these products as safe, even for the most vulnerable newborns.
If your baby developed NEC after being fed formula in a hospital or NICU, we’re here to help you find out why and what can be done next.
How Ferrer Poirot Feller Can Help With Your NEC Formula Lawsuit
At Ferrer Poirot Feller, we understand the pain and confusion that follow an NEC diagnosis. Whether your baby is recovering from surgeries or you’ve suffered an unimaginable loss, our team is here to provide answers and accountability.
When you contact us, we begin by listening to your story. We want to know what formula was given, what hospital protocols were followed, and what happened after the first symptoms appeared. From there, we build your case by:
- Obtaining medical records and NICU documentation
- Consulting with neonatologists and pediatric GI experts
- Tracing the timeline of formula feeding and diagnosis
- Proving that the formula contributed to your child’s injury
We handle every detail of the legal process from start to finish. You’ll never have to speak to the formula companies or their insurers—we’ll do that for you.
And because we work on contingency, there’s no cost to you unless we win. Your focus should be on your baby and your family. Let us take care of the rest.
Signs You May Have a Case Against Similac or Enfamil
You don’t need to know all the legal details to get started—you just need to know something isn’t right. If your baby was born premature and developed serious gastrointestinal complications, it may be time to speak with a lawyer. That’s why do you need a lawyer becomes more than a question—it’s a reminder that a legal team can help uncover the truth, hold manufacturers accountable, and guide you through every step with clarity and care.
You may have a case if:
- Your baby was born prematurely (generally before 37 weeks)
- They were fed Similac or Enfamil in the NICU or hospital
- They developed NEC or needed surgery to remove part of the intestines
- You were not informed of the risks associated with cow’s milk-based formula
Even if the hospital administered the formula, you can still pursue legal action against the manufacturer. This case isn’t about blaming medical staff—it’s about holding formula companies accountable for failing to warn hospitals and families about known risks.
The sooner you reach out, the better we can protect your rights and preserve key evidence. Don’t wait for answers. We’re here to help you find them.
Taking on Formula Giants Like Abbott and Mead Johnson
When you pursue legal action in a baby formula NEC case, you’re going up against some of the most powerful corporations in the world. Abbott (maker of Similac) and Mead Johnson (maker of Enfamil) generate billions in annual sales, and they’ve invested heavily in defending their products and avoiding responsibility.
These companies had access to decades of scientific research linking cow’s milk-based formula to NEC in premature infants. Yet they continued to market their products for use in NICUs and failed to warn the public about the dangers. In doing so, they put profits before safety, and children paid the price.
At Ferrer Poirot Feller, we are not intimidated by corporate size or legal firepower. We’ve spent years holding companies like these accountable for the harm they’ve caused. We know how to dig into internal records, expose failure to warn, and make a strong case for compensation. That’s why choosing the right lawyer for you matters—one with the experience, resources, and commitment to stand up to powerful corporations and fight for your family.
You don’t need to take them on alone. We’re here to fight back for your child, your family, and your future.
We Know This Is Personal—And We’ll Treat It That Way
This isn’t just another lawsuit. This is your baby, your trauma, your loss. We understand how deeply personal this experience is, and we never treat it like a case file or a statistic. Every family we represent receives the time, care, and compassion they deserve.
We know how hard it is to relive the timeline, to wonder what could have been different. That’s why we start by listening—really listening. We want to understand your experience, your pain, and your hopes for what justice could look like. Whether you’re seeking resources for long-term care or closure after a loss, we’ll walk with you every step of the way.
At Ferrer Poirot Feller, we bring legal strength and emotional support together. You’ll always have someone to talk to, someone who keeps you informed, and someone who truly cares about the outcome.
You’ve been through enough. Let us help carry the burden from here.
What Is Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC)?
Necrotizing enterocolitis, or NEC, is a severe and potentially fatal gastrointestinal disease that primarily affects premature infants. It causes inflammation in the baby’s intestines, which can lead to tissue death, infection, sepsis, or even a complete rupture of the intestinal wall.
NEC can progress quickly and often requires emergency surgery to remove damaged portions of the intestine.
While NEC can occur for different reasons, premature babies are most at risk because their digestive systems are still developing. Symptoms often include:
- Abdominal swelling
- Bloody stools
- Feeding intolerance
- Low heart rate or blood pressure
- Lethargy or sudden illness
In the worst cases, NEC can lead to long-term complications like short bowel syndrome, growth delays, or developmental disabilities. Some infants do not survive the disease.
If your child developed NEC after being fed baby formula in the NICU, it’s important to understand the connection, and whether this may have been prevented. Lawyers can help maximize your compensation by investigating what happened, identifying who may be liable, and building a strong case based on medical records and expert analysis.
How Does Cow’s Milk Formula Increase the Risk of NEC?
Medical research has consistently shown that premature babies fed cow’s milk-based formulas have a significantly higher risk of developing NEC compared to those fed human milk or donor milk.
The immature digestive systems of preemies may not tolerate cow’s milk proteins well, which can lead to inflammation and bacterial overgrowth in the intestines.
Despite the well-documented risks, manufacturers like Abbott and Mead Johnson did not include NEC warnings on Similac or Enfamil products. These formulas continued to be marketed and widely used in hospitals, as safe for premature infants.
Several studies published in respected journals like The Lancet and Pediatrics have outlined the increased risk, but parents were rarely informed. Some NICUs continue to rely on cow’s milk formula for feeding preemies without offering safer alternatives or clear information on the risks involved.
This failure to warn has led to heartbreaking outcomes for families across the country. If your baby suffered after being given formula in the NICU, we can help determine if you have a legal case.
How Formula-Related NEC Injuries Happen
The process typically begins shortly after birth. A premature baby is placed in the NICU and begins receiving nutritional support, often through feeding tubes or bottles containing Similac or Enfamil. These formulas may be administered routinely, with no mention of the risks tied to cow’s milk in preemies.
Within days or weeks, symptoms of NEC may appear. A baby may stop feeding, show signs of infection, or suddenly become gravely ill. In many cases, emergency surgery is required to remove damaged intestinal tissue. Some babies will survive with long-term complications. Others may not survive at all. You may still be eligible for compensation, even if the diagnosis occurred weeks after birth or if your child has since recovered.
What makes these cases so tragic is that safer alternatives exist. Human milk and donor milk carry a far lower risk of NEC, yet many hospitals continued using cow’s milk-based formulas without informed consent from parents.
If this happened to your child, it’s not your fault, and you’re not alone. Our team can help you understand what went wrong and why.
What Compensation Is Available in a Baby Formula NEC Lawsuit?
Families affected by NEC caused by cow’s milk-based formula may be entitled to compensation for a wide range of physical, emotional, and financial damages. These lawsuits are about more than money—they’re about accountability and making sure your child gets the support they need.
Compensation may cover:
- Medical expenses, including NICU care and surgeries
- Future medical treatment or therapies
- Permanent disability or developmental delays
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Funeral and burial costs in wrongful death cases
- Loss of enjoyment of life or parental income (when long-term care is required)
The value of your case depends on how severe the injuries were, what long-term care may be needed, and whether your family has suffered financial losses or emotional trauma as a result.
At Ferrer Poirot Feller, we take the time to understand every aspect of what you’ve been through. We work with medical experts, life care planners, and economists to ensure your case reflects the full extent of your damages, now and in the future.
What to Expect When Filing an NEC Baby Formula Lawsuit
The legal process may feel intimidating, but we’re here to make it straightforward and manageable. It all starts with a free consultation where we listen to your story, answer your questions, and explain your rights.
If you have a case, we’ll begin collecting evidence right away, including:
- Your child’s medical records
- Formula brands and feeding history
- Surgical and diagnostic reports
- NICU documentation and hospital protocols
We’ll also consult with neonatology experts to confirm the link between the formula and your baby’s NEC diagnosis. Once your case is built, we file a claim against the appropriate manufacturer—either Abbott, Mead Johnson, or both. Compensation is still available for families affected by NEC-related injuries, even if the formula was administered months or years ago.
You won’t have to deal with the companies or their lawyers. We handle all communication, negotiation, and court filings on your behalf. Most cases settle outside of court, but if a trial is needed, we’re ready to take that step.
Throughout the entire process, we’ll keep you informed and supported, so you never feel alone.
Contact Us for a Free Case Evaluation
If your baby was diagnosed with NEC after being fed Similac or Enfamil in the NICU, you may have a legal right to hold the formula manufacturers accountable. We know how devastating this experience can be—and we’re here to help you find answers and take action.
At Ferrer Poirot Feller, we represent families across the country who’ve been harmed by dangerous or misleading products. We offer free, no-obligation consultations, where you can speak directly with our team, ask questions, and understand your legal options with total clarity.
You won’t pay us unless we recover compensation for your family.
Call us today at (866) 720-9962 or contact us online to schedule your free case evaluation.