Questions?List of Baby Formulas That May Cause NEC
Some cow’s milk-based formulas made for premature infants have been linked to a higher risk of NEC.
Cow’s milk-based formulas linked to NEC lawsuits include:
There are currently no recalls of these products. However, in August 2026, Similac maker Abbott agreed to pay $670 million to settle about 2,000 NEC baby formula claims.
As of October 2026, almost 850 NEC baby formula lawsuits are pending in federal court.
In April 2026, a Chicago jury awarded $70 million to 4 families who alleged that Similac’s maker failed to warn about NEC risks tied to formula for premature infants.
You may be able to take legal action if your child developed NEC after being fed one of these formulas. Find out right now with a free case review.
Who Can File a Baby Formula Lawsuit?
If your child developed NEC from a cow’s milk-based formula, you may be able to file a toxic baby formula lawsuit.
You may be able to take legal action if your baby was:
- Born prematurely or had a low birth weight
- Diagnosed with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and/or short bowel syndrome
- Fed milk-based formula
Filing a baby formula lawsuit may seem difficult, but a product liability lawyer at a specialized law firm can help ensure your lawsuit is filed correctly.
“It’s possible your baby was fed cow’s milk-based formula while in the NICU without your awareness, and you may still be able to take legal action if your child developed NEC as a result.”
— Brendan Smith, NEC Baby Formula Lawyer
What Is Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC)?
Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a severe intestinal disease common in premature babies.
NEC occurs when small or large intestinal tissue is inflamed or injured. If the inflammation worsens, a hole (perforation) can develop in the baby’s intestinal wall.
The intestines of children with NEC cannot hold waste, so bacteria can get into the abdomen or bloodstream of the child. NEC can vary in severity but severe cases can lead to life-threatening infection or even death.
According to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, NEC affects 1 to 5% of babies in neonatal intensive care units (NICU).
Necrotizing Enterocolitis Symptoms
Although each case is different, there are several signs of NEC to keep an eye out for in your preterm or low-birth-weight child.
Some common NEC symptoms include:
- Constipation
- Dark, bloody stools
- Feeding issues
- Green-colored vomit from bile
- Low blood pressure
- Low energy
- Pauses in breathing
- Red, swollen belly
- Slow heart rate
If your child was born premature or had a low birth weight and is showing any symptoms of NEC, contact a doctor immediately.
NEC Complications
There are several health complications associated with NEC that can pose a serious threat to a baby’s health. Some of these complications may even result in death if left untreated.
- Abdominal infections
- Brain damage leading to developmental delays
- Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE)
- Intestinal scarring
- Intestinal stricture (narrowing of the intestines)
- Sepsis
- Short bowel (short gut) syndrome
These complications can be life-threatening. Timely treatment is critical to ensure your baby’s safety.
Talk with one of our experienced registered nurses to learn more about your legal options if your child was diagnosed with NEC.
Beth has more than 18 years of specialized nursing experience. She’s available to hear your story and determine whether your child developed NEC from cow’s milk-based formula products.
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Call or chat with a caring, experienced nurse right now — we’re standing by to get you help and answers.
How to File an NEC Baby Formula Lawsuit
If you believe your child developed NEC from baby formula, you may be eligible to take legal action.
Getting a free case review is the first step in filing a toxic baby formula lawsuit. An experienced lawyer will be able to see if your family qualifies to take legal action.
A product liability lawyer can help you:
- Gather evidence to support your claim
- File your baby formula NEC lawsuit
- Negotiate with the defendant to get maximum compensation
- Represent you in a court of law
A lawyer will be able to handle your baby formula lawsuit for you, making the process easier on your family. Your baby formula attorney will do everything to ensure your claim is as strong as possible so you can focus on caring for your child and getting treatment for NEC.
“No parent should have to experience that kind of loss, and the law gives you the opportunity to seek justice and accountability. Families who lost a child to NEC may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit.”
— Brendan Smith, NEC Baby Formula Lawyer
Take Legal Action for NEC Today
Parents trusted that they were feeding their baby safe formula when they used Enfamil and Similac products. Unfortunately, manufacturers hid the risks of their cow-milk formula products to continue making a profit.
NEC can be very serious and potentially fatal to premature or low-birth-weight babies. The chances of developing this life-threatening intestinal disease are much higher when using these products.
If you or a loved one had a premature or low-birth-weight child that developed NEC after being fed cow’s milk-based formula, you may be able to take legal action.
Contact our team to learn more about filing a toxic baby formula lawsuit.
Baby Formula Lawsuit FAQs
Many parents have taken legal action and filed lawsuits against Enfamil and Similac.
These brands manufactured cow’s milk-based formula that could pose an increased risk of NEC to premature and low-birth-weight babies.
NEC can be serious and sometimes life-threatening. Those who have used products that result in NEC may be able to file an infant formula lawsuit by working with a personal injury lawyer
It can be fatal depending on the baby’s condition. There are several serious complications that can be caused by NEC, such as intestinal scarring, intestinal strictures, brain damage, abdominal infections, and sepsis.
If you think your child has NEC, seek medical attention right away to treat the issue as soon as possible to potentially avoid these complications.
