Premature babies are routinely provided with formula to help support their nutritional needs. Unfortunately, medical research has demonstrated an increased risk of a serious condition called necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) when pre-term infants are fed bovine-based formulas.
Many families have filed lawsuits after their children became sick and died due to developing NEC, with parents claiming that the formula manufacturers should have warned them of the risks.
Canopy Legal can provide legal representation if you are one of those families who experienced loss because of the dangerous formula, and we’ll work with you in your pursuit of justice.
To find out more about how our NEC infant formula lawyers can represent you as you take legal action to fight for compensation, give us a call or contact us online today.
What is necrotizing enterocolitis?
Necrotizing enterocolitis, or NEC, is a medical condition that can occur as a result of inflammation in the intestines. In some cases, tissue is damaged or killed as a result of the inflammation, and a hole can form in the intestines as a result.
When this occurs, bacteria from the intestinal tract can leak out of the intestinal wall, and sometimes out of the abdominal cavity entirely. This can lead to the rapid development of a very serious infection.
NEC can lead to:
- Surgical removal of the damaged intestine or bowel
- Surgical creation of an opening (ostomy) to connect the intestines to the abdomen
- Abdominal drainage
- Narrowing of the intestines
- Inability to absorb food and nutrients
- Severe systemwide infection
- Death
Treatment can be expensive and intense, lifelong complications can result, and children and families are changed forever when lives are lost.
Infant baby formula and NEC risks
Studies have demonstrated a clear link between bovine-based formula and increased risk of NEC:
- Double-blind randomized clinical trials revealed that 9.00% of preterm infants provided with formula developed NEC compared with 4.2% of infants who received donor milk.
- A meta-study including trials involving over 2,296 infants demonstrated a higher rate of NEC development in babies given formula instead of being provided with human milk.
The evidence is not new, either. As far back as 1990, studies demonstrated that preterm infants provided with formula were more than 10 times as likely to develop NEC compared with those provided human milk.
What are your rights if your child developed NEC?
If your child developed NEC after being fed bovine-based milk, you may have the right to pursue a claim for compensation. Many parents have already filed lawsuits against infant-formula manufacturers including Abbott Labs, which manufactures Similac and Mead Johnson, which manufactures Enfamil.
With so many parents pursuing legal action, a multidistrict litigation (MDL) was formed in the Northern District of Illinois. MDLs bring together many cases arising from the same basic issues. The cases are moved to the same federal court so they can be heard by one judge who can decide on common questions of law. While each plaintiff keeps their own claim, this streamlines the process of litigating cases and can help promote settlements.
Canopy Legal Group can help you to determine if you should become part of an MDL if your child developed NEC as a result of being provided with formula as a premature infant. Our firm has experience representing clients in mass tort cases, as well as in individual product liability claims.
Why Turn to Canopy Legal for your MDL claim?
Canopy Legal is here and ready to help you if your preterm child was harmed by bovine-based formula. We do not charge legal fees unless we win and we have the necessary experience to guide you in your pursuit of justice.
Give us a call today to schedule your free consultation with a NEC infant formula lawyer to learn more about how we can help you.
