Many parents of premature infants in the US are filing lawsuits against baby formula manufacturers. The lawsuits claim the product manufacturers have not warned about the severe effects of the cow-based formulas, including gastrointestinal issues and the death of the infants. Similac products in America are manufactured and distributed by Abbott Laboratories. If your premature baby is diagnosed with NEC after receiving Similac products in NICU or at the hospital, you should seek compensation. But you require a well-trained expert to help you recover.
What are Similac Products?
A few people might wonder what Similac products are. Similac consists of iron-fortified and milk-based formula with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) to provide children with vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. It supplements the growth and nutrition of infants born prematurely. The product is manufactured and distributed by Abbott Laboratories. However, recent research has opposed these products for feeding low-weight and preterm infants. Similac products are associated with doubling the potential risk of causing necrotizing enterocolitis. The following are the common baby formula products mentioned in a lawsuit:
- Similac neosure
- Similac special care
- Similac Alimentum
- Similac human milk fortifier
- Similac special care 24
- Similac milk fortifier powder
- Similac special 24 high protein
Similac Neosure products are enriched with a nutrient formula for premature babies. It also contains increased minerals, vitamins, and proteins compared to other products like term infant formula.
Similac milk fortifier is considered a baby formula with hydrolyzed protein. The product is designed for low birth weight and premature babies. The manufacturers consider the product as a nutritional supplement that adds human milk.
Similac protein fortifier is considered a commercial Sterlite. The manufacturers design the product to help preterm infants in need of protein.
Similac special care infant formula is considered iron-fortified. So, the manufacturers allow the mothers and doctors to feed the product to low birth weight and premature infants.
Similac alimentum is considered nutritionally complete. The product uses a hypoallergenic formula. The manufacturers prepare it for infants with colic signs and symptoms due to food allergies. Again the product is helpful when the baby has protein maldigestion. Also, infants with protein sensitivity, fat malabsorption, or intact protein can use the product.
Can Similac Cause NEC?
A study which goes decade of years ago followed around 900 premature infants, and the study showed:
The formula for premature babies is approximately six to ten times at risk of developing NEC than premature infants given human breast milk.
The study also showed formula-fed premature infants are three times more likely to develop NEC than those fed with formula and human breast milk.
In 2012, a study from the American Academy of Pediatrics came with a directive requiring premature infants to be fed with human-based milk alone. As per the study, the infants consuming cow-based milk are at risk of around ten times developing NEC compared to the infants drinking human-based milk. But Similac does not risk the cow-based milk-producing NEC to infants. Similac manufacturers should warn about the possible risks of colon/small intestine issues or potential deaths.
Many hospital specialists have also deduced that premature babies recommended for human donor breast milk are less likely to develop NEC than babies given cow milk formula.
The Current State of Similac Lawsuits
Sometimes litigation is new. Every time it brings new lawsuits against Abbott Laboratories, causing infants to develop necrotizing enterocolitis. The potential causes of action include:
- Negligence
- Breaching warranty
- Strict item liability for developing defective product
- Wrongful death of infants
- Intentional misrepresentation
- Failing to warn people that Similac products have the potential to cause NEC in infants
- Negligent misrepresentation
It is more likely for these lawsuits against Abbot to consolidate into multi-district litigation in the courts. Multi-district litigation is a method of expediting the settlement and pretrial process. These lawsuits are more Similac to class action lawsuits. Many parents are also issuing federal and state medical lawsuits against the hospital feeding infants and babies with these Similac products.
These NEC lawsuits against the manufacturers of Similac products seek to compensate damages for pain, medical bills, out-of-pocket expenses, and other expenditures. Since NEC can cause death in infants and suffer extensive injuries, your attorney should seek compensation for the above expenses.
Who is Eligible to File an Infant or Baby Formula Lawsuit?
The parents who had their premature infants diagnosed with NEC after being fed with these products have the potential to seek compensation. The doctors may have fed your infant with Similac products at the hospital. However, when you are unsure, you need to seek assistance from your attorney. The attorney will find out the potential cause of the NEC condition in your child. You need to provide information, including the name of the hospital. Again, provide the exact location of the hospital.
Since the doctors discharged your child from the hospital, they might have fed them with these products. Many trained lawyers advise parents to maintain their proof of purchasing the products, receipts boxes, or packages showing the formula evidence.
Has Similac Been Recalled?
Despite the increased risks associated with Similac products, they are still on the market. The FDA has not yet recalled the products. The manufacturers(Abbott) have also not recalled them. Similac formula is the best in cases where the babies do not grow necrotizing enterocolitis. A better option/alternative to these products is prolactin.
Contact a Mass Tort Expert Near Me
When your premature baby died or sustained injuries due to NEC after receiving Similac products at the hospital, you might be eligible to receive compensation after filing a Similac lawsuit. However, you require the legal services of a well-trained lawyer. A trained expert will guide you throughout the legal process.
At Consumer Alert Now, we are ready to help you receive compensation. Our experts will first investigate the potential cause of the condition. We have helped countless people file lawsuits against product manufacturers across the US. Contact us as soon as possible at 800-511-0747, and we will work on your case.
