NEC Lawsuit
Cows’ milk baby formulas made by Similac and Enfamil have been linked to potentially deadly infections in premature infants.

Why are people suing baby formula manufacturers?
In 2011, a 10-day-old Missouri baby suddenly passed away from a fatal bacterial infection after being fed premature infant formula. Soon after he was given a serving of Enfamil Premium Newborn formula, he was diagnosed with Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a common, but serious illness that causes intestinal tissue to become inflamed in premature infants.
Formulas were pulled from shelves nationwide after test results showed that the infection was caused by Cronobacter sakazakii, a germ known to contaminate powdered baby formula and other dry foods. Since the boy’s death, over 500 families have sued Similac and Enfamil for failing to warn buyers about the severe risks associated with their products.
How to qualify for the lawsuit
If your premature infant was diagnosed with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) at the hospital after being fed cows’ milk baby formula made by Similac (owned by Abbott) or Enfamil (owned by Reckitt/Mead Johnson), you may be eligible for compensation. Your family can also begin a claim for wrongful death if your baby passed away. Claim eligibility expires 10 years after your baby’s initial diagnosis.
Any baby formula made by either Similac or Enfamil containing cows’ milk will qualify for the lawsuit, but these are some of the most common products affecting families:
- Similac Liquid Protein Fortifier
- Similac NeoSure
- Similac Alimentum (all varieties)
- Similac Special Care 24 (all varieties)
- Similac Human Milk Fortifier (all varieties)
- Enfamil 24 cal infant formula
- Enfamil DHA & ARA Supplement
- Enfamil NeuroPro Enfacare (all varieties)
- Enfamil Human Milk Fortifier (all varieties)
- Enfamil Premature Infant Formula (all varieties)
See how much your case could be worth.
- Free, no-obligation consultations.
- Pay NO FEES unless you win.
- Nationwide network of attorneys.
NEC Lawsuit FAQs
Can I still qualify if my baby was given infant formula at home?
Unfortunately no, your case is not eligible if your baby developed NEC at home. If your child had been diagnosed at the hospital, your baby’s physician would have provided you with a medical record that would have acted as a key point of evidence for your case.
But, if your child developed NEC while at home, then it would be far more difficult to prove that cow’s milk formula was the absolute cause of your baby’s diagnosis. Due to this difficulty, we are unable to accept NEC cases that began off-site from the hospital.
How much can I expect to win from an NEC settlement?
Since this is a relatively new lawsuit that has not yet made it to a bellwether trial, legal proceedings have not reached any settlements or verdicts as of 2024. We’ll make sure to keep you updated on any future developments about this lawsuit and the average payouts that claimants receive once trials have begun.
My premature baby is sick, but how do I know if it's NEC?
There are several signs of NEC that tend to appear for premature infants between 2-6 weeks old. These symptoms include:
- Abdominal pain and/or swelling
- Green or yellow vomit
- Diarrhea containing blood
- Refusal to drink formula
- Unusual or excessive fatigue
- Change in heart rate, breathing, blood pressure, or temperature
Why Free Legal Reviews?
We believe everyone deserves top-notch legal representation. Our case review and advocate-matching services are entirely free to you, and lawsuit participants only have to pay for legal costs if they win a settlement.
We’ve assisted over 100,000 victims with their personal injury claims, and we’re proud to have helped those who may not have pursued the help they need on their own.
Looking for another lawsuit?
Get Started Today!
With Free Legal Reviews, filing a claim has never been easier. When you work with an attorney in our network, you don’t have to step a foot into a courtroom to get financial relief for your case.
Check Your Eligibility.
Complete one of our online eligibility assessments to see if your case is eligible.
Get a Free Consultation.
If you qualify, a legal advocate will contact you for more information about your case.
Let the Pros Handle the Rest!
A law firm will handle your claim for you.

NEC Lawsuit Updates
JULY 2024
Similac Manufacturer to Pay $495M in Baby Formula Verdict
$400M of the verdict against Abbott was for punitive damages alone.
MARCH 2024
Family Awarded $60M in Verdict Against Enfamil Manufacturer
Mead Johnson was found liable for not issuing a product warning about NEC.
Further Reading
More About NEC
Why are people suing baby formula manufacturers?
In 2011, a 10-day-old Missouri baby suddenly passed away from a fatal bacterial infection after being fed premature infant formula. Soon after he was given a serving of Enfamil Premium Newborn formula, he was diagnosed with Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a common, but serious illness that causes intestinal tissue to become inflamed in premature infants.
Formulas were pulled from shelves nationwide after test results showed that the infection was caused by Cronobacter sakazakii, a germ known to contaminate powdered baby formula and other dry foods. Since the boy’s death, over 500 families have sued Similac and Enfamil for failing to warn buyers about the severe risks associated with their products.
How to qualify for the lawsuit
If your premature infant was diagnosed with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) at the hospital after being fed cows’ milk baby formula made by Similac (owned by Abbott) or Enfamil (owned by Reckitt/Mead Johnson), you may be eligible for compensation. Your family can also begin a claim for wrongful death if your baby passed away. Claim eligibility expires 10 years after your baby’s initial diagnosis.
Any baby formula made by either Similac or Enfamil containing cows’ milk will qualify for the lawsuit, but these are some of the most common products affecting families:
- Similac Liquid Protein Fortifier
- Similac NeoSure
- Similac Alimentum (all varieties)
- Similac Special Care 24 (all varieties)
- Similac Human Milk Fortifier (all varieties)
- Enfamil 24 cal infant formula
- Enfamil DHA & ARA Supplement
- Enfamil NeuroPro Enfacare (all varieties)
- Enfamil Human Milk Fortifier (all varieties)
- Enfamil Premature Infant Formula (all varieties)
See how much your case could be worth.
- Free, no-obligation consultations.
- Pay NO FEES unless you win.
- Nationwide network of attorneys.
NEC lawsuit FAQs
Can I still qualify if my baby was given infant formula at home?
Unfortunately no, your case is not eligible if your baby developed NEC at home. If your child had been diagnosed at the hospital, your baby’s physician would have provided you with a medical record that would have acted as a key point of evidence for your case.
But, if your child developed NEC while at home, then it would be far more difficult to prove that cow’s milk formula was the absolute cause of your baby’s diagnosis. Due to this difficulty, we are unable to accept NEC cases that began off-site from the hospital.
How much can I expect to win from an NEC settlement?
Since this is a relatively new lawsuit that has not yet made it to a bellwether trial, legal proceedings have not reached any settlements or verdicts as of 2024. We’ll make sure to keep you updated on any future developments about this lawsuit and the average payouts that claimants receive once trials have begun.
My premature baby is sick, but how do I know if it's NEC?
There are several signs of NEC that tend to appear for premature infants between 2-6 weeks old. These symptoms include:
- Abdominal pain and/or swelling
- Green or yellow vomit
- Diarrhea containing blood
- Refusal to drink formula
- Unusual or excessive fatigue
- Change in heart rate, breathing, blood pressure, or temperature
Why Free Legal Reviews?
We believe everyone deserves top-notch legal representation. Our case review and advocate-matching services are entirely free to you, and lawsuit participants only have to pay for legal costs if they win a settlement.
We’ve assisted over 100,000 victims with their personal injury claims, and we’re proud to have helped those who may not have pursued the help they need on their own.
Check Your Eligibility.
Complete one of our online eligibility assessments to see if your case is eligible.
Get a Free Consultation.
If you qualify, a legal advocate will contact you for more information about your case.
Let the Pros Handle the Rest!
A law firm will handle your claim for you.
Ready to file a claim?

NEC Lawsuit Updates
JULY 2024
Similac Manufacturer to Pay $495M in Baby Formula Verdict
$400M of the verdict against Abbott was for punitive damages alone.
MARCH 2024
Family Awarded $60M in Verdict Against Enfamil Manufacturer
Mead Johnson was found liable for not issuing a product warning about NEC.
Further Reading
More About Depo-Provera
Similac Struck with $495 Million NEC Baby Formula Settlement
Why are people suing baby formula manufacturers?
In 2011, a 10-day-old Missouri baby suddenly passed away from a fatal bacterial infection after being fed premature infant formula. Soon after he was given a serving of Enfamil Premium Newborn formula, he was diagnosed with Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a common, but serious illness that causes intestinal tissue to become inflamed in premature infants.
Formulas were pulled from shelves nationwide after test results showed that the infection was caused by Cronobacter sakazakii, a germ known to contaminate powdered baby formula and other dry foods. Since the boy’s death, over 500 families have sued Similac and Enfamil for failing to warn buyers about the severe risks associated with their products.
How to qualify for the lawsuit
If your premature infant was diagnosed with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) at the hospital after being fed cows’ milk baby formula made by Similac (owned by Abbott) or Enfamil (owned by Reckitt/Mead Johnson), you may be eligible for compensation. Your family can also begin a claim for wrongful death if your baby passed away. Claim eligibility expires 10 years after your baby’s initial diagnosis.
Any baby formula made by either Similac or Enfamil containing cows’ milk will qualify for the lawsuit, but these are some of the most common products affecting families:
- Similac Liquid Protein Fortifier
- Similac NeoSure
- Similac Alimentum (all varieties)
- Similac Special Care 24 (all varieties)
- Similac Human Milk Fortifier (all varieties)
- Enfamil 24 cal infant formula
- Enfamil DHA & ARA Supplement
- Enfamil NeuroPro Enfacare (all varieties)
- Enfamil Human Milk Fortifier (all varieties)
- Enfamil Premature Infant Formula (all varieties)
See how much your case could be worth.
- Free, no-obligation consultations.
- Pay NO FEES unless you win.
- Nationwide network of attorneys.
NEC Lawsuit FAQs
Can I still qualify if my baby was given infant formula at home?
Unfortunately no, your case is not eligible if your baby developed NEC at home. If your child had been diagnosed at the hospital, your baby’s physician would have provided you with a medical record that would have acted as a key point of evidence for your case.
But, if your child developed NEC while at home, then it would be far more difficult to prove that cow’s milk formula was the absolute cause of your baby’s diagnosis. Due to this difficulty, we are unable to accept NEC cases that began off-site from the hospital.
How much can I expect to win from an NEC settlement?
Since this is a relatively new lawsuit that has not yet made it to a bellwether trial, legal proceedings have not reached any settlements or verdicts as of 2024. We’ll make sure to keep you updated on any future developments about this lawsuit and the average payouts that claimants receive once trials have begun.
My premature baby is sick, but how do I know if it's NEC?
There are several signs of NEC that tend to appear for premature infants between 2-6 weeks old. These symptoms include:
- Abdominal pain and/or swelling
- Green or yellow vomit
- Diarrhea containing blood
- Refusal to drink formula
- Unusual or excessive fatigue
- Change in heart rate, breathing, blood pressure, or temperature
Why Free Legal Reviews?
We believe everyone deserves top-notch legal representation. Our case review and advocate-matching services are entirely free to you, and lawsuit participants only have to pay for legal costs if they win a settlement.
We’ve assisted over 100,000 victims with their personal injury claims, and we’re proud to have helped those who may not have pursued the help they need on their own.
Looking for another lawsuit?

NEC Lawsuit Updates
JULY 2024
Similac Manufacturer to Pay $495M in Baby Formula Verdict
$400M of the verdict against Abbott was for punitive damages alone.
MARCH 2024
Family Awarded $60M in Verdict Against Enfamil Manufacturer
Mead Johnson was found liable for not issuing a product warning about NEC.