A Formula to Nourish That Turned into a Lifetime of Loss.

Trial Lawyers United LLC’s attorneys represent families nationwide whose premature infants developed necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) after being fed cow’s milk-based infant formulas manufactured by Similac and Enfamil.
In the Relentless Pursuit of Justice. Results without Risk.

Overview

For decades, hospitals and neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) have relied on cow’s milk-based infant formulas — most notably Similac (manufactured by Abbott Laboratories) and Enfamil (manufactured by Mead Johnson Nutrition Company) — to feed premature or low-birth-weight infants.

Mounting medical evidence now shows that these formulas dramatically increase the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a life-threatening gastrointestinal disease that can cause severe intestinal damage, infection, and death.

Despite decades of published research and warnings from the neonatal community, formula manufacturers continued to market their products as safe and beneficial for preemies — misleading both healthcare providers and parents.

At Trial Lawyers United LLC, we represent families who trusted these companies and paid the ultimate price. Our attorneys are pursuing justice for infants who suffered or died from NEC after being fed dangerous formulas that were marketed without adequate warning or safety testing.

Who’s Liable / How Fault Works

The Infant Formula NEC litigation centers on product liability, negligence, and failure-to-warn claims against major manufacturers, including:
– Abbott Laboratories, maker of Similac®
– Mead Johnson & Company, LLC, maker of Enfamil®

Plaintiffs allege that these companies:
– Knew for decades of scientific evidence linking cow’s milk-based formulas to NEC in premature infants.
– Failed to warn doctors and parents about the heightened risks compared to breast milk or human-milk-based alternatives.
– Marketed their products to NICUs and parents as safe and “clinically supported” despite mounting peer-reviewed data showing the opposite.
– Prioritized profits by targeting the vulnerable preterm infant market while concealing risk data.

Our firm works to expose these deliberate acts of negligence through corporate documents, medical expert testimony, and historical studies the manufacturers ignored.

Scientific Evidence and Mechanism of Harm

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a devastating condition that primarily affects premature infants. It causes inflammation and death of intestinal tissue, leading to infection, sepsis, and organ failure.

Medical studies show that premature infants fed cow’s milk-based formulas have a 6–10 times higher risk of developing NEC than those fed human breast milk or donor milk.

Key evidence includes:
– Lancet Study (1990): Found significantly higher NEC rates among premature infants fed cow’s milk-based formula.
– Journal of Pediatrics (2011): Demonstrated that human-milk-fed infants had a dramatically reduced NEC risk compared to formula-fed infants.
– Cochrane Database Reviews: Confirmed that bovine-based formulas increase intestinal inflammation and disrupt gut microbiota in premature infants.

These findings were known to manufacturers but omitted from product warnings and marketing claims — leaving hospitals and parents unaware of the dangers.

Injuries and Health Conditions Linked to Cow’s Milk-Based Infant Formulas

Premature infants exposed to Similac or Enfamil formulas have developed catastrophic injuries, including:
– Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC)
– Intestinal perforation or sepsis
– Multiple surgeries, including bowel resection
– Short bowel syndrome
– Growth failure and malabsorption
– Neurodevelopmental impairment
– Wrongful death

These injuries often require lifelong medical care, feeding support, and developmental intervention — or result in the tragic loss of life during the neonatal period.

Evidence and Proof

Our attorneys collaborate with pediatric gastroenterologists, neonatologists, and biomedical experts to prove causation and corporate misconduct. Key evidence includes:
1. Medical and hospital records confirming formula feeding and NEC diagnosis.
2. Scientific studies and clinical trials linking cow’s milk-based formulas to NEC risk.
3. Internal Abbott and Mead Johnson documents showing awareness of the link.
4. Expert testimony explaining the biological mechanism of harm in premature infants.
5. NICU feeding logs and product usage records connecting brand and exposure.

TLU’s lawyers are actively participating in the Infant Formula NEC multidistrict litigation (MDL No. 3026, Northern District of Illinois) and coordinating with national counsel to build the strongest cases for affected families.

How We Help

Trial Lawyers United LLC’s attorneys represent families nationwide whose premature infants were harmed by cow’s milk-based infant formulas. We provide both compassionate guidance and aggressive legal action to hold manufacturers accountable.

Our representation includes:
– Review of medical records, NICU notes, and feeding protocols.
– Coordination with neonatology and pediatric pathology experts.
– Filing NEC claims in federal and state courts.
– Pursuing compensation for medical expenses, pain, suffering, and wrongful death.

Every case is handled on a contingency fee basis — you pay nothing unless we win. Results without risk.

FAQ

Q: What is NEC?

A: NEC, or necrotizing enterocolitis, is a severe intestinal disease that can cause tissue death, infection, and life-threatening complications in premature infants.

Q: What formulas are linked to NEC?

A: Lawsuits focus on Similac® (Abbott) and Enfamil® (Mead Johnson) cow’s milk-based products.

Q: How do I know if my baby’s NEC was caused by formula?

A: Medical records and NICU documentation can confirm which feeding products were used. Our team works with medical experts to establish a clear causal connection.

Q: What does it cost to hire your firm?

A: Nothing upfront. We only get paid when we recover compensation — Results without risk.