NEC baby food lawsuits have become a center point of news in the U.S. Many parents have experienced the tragedy of their premature infant being diagnosed with NEC after consuming cow milk-derived formula regularly. Because of the complexity of the case, and the nature of NEC’s connection to cow milk-derived formula, many parents are hungry for updates surrounding the many cases connected to this issue. Here are the most important updates so far in 2022 regarding NEC baby food-related lawsuits:
Update as of 1/18/22
Abbott Laboratories filed a petition with the JPML that requested all NEC infant formula lawsuits be consolidated into an MDL. Afterward, Abbott Laboratories requested that the MDL be specifically built in the District of Connecticut and that it would be assigned to the Hon. Stefan Underwood.
Update as of 1/27/22
Medical literature has continued to support the contentions made by plaintiffs’ lawyers regarding the toxic infant formula NEC-related lawsuits. With new articles published that continue to showcase the risk of cow milk-derived formulas to premature infants, NEC cases have strengthened. This update on the NEC baby food lawsuit is drawing more parents to seek out action against Mead Johnson and Abbott Laboratories.
Update as of 2/14/22
Mead Johnson joined Abbott Laboratories (the manufacturers of Enfamil and Similac) in support of a formal request that NEC baby formula-related class action lawsuits for every NEC-related claim made in federal court. There is continued contention about which court will handle MDL class action suits, however. Lawyers for victims are pushing for a case in the Northern District of Illinois, while Mead Jonhson and Abbott Laboratories continue to push for a case in the U.S. District Court of Connecticut.
Update as of 2/17/22
Mead Jonhson and Abbott Laboratories are facing a petition from consumer protection groups, which asks the FDA to prohibit the use of “nanomaterial” additives in their products, due to their increasingly proven link to NEC in premature infants. This petition would have the FDA following the lead of European regulators, which have effectively banned all nanomaterials from infant formula until a higher standard of safety within their manufacturing is proven. Public opinion on healthy eating and higher nutrition standards within manufacturing are noticeably shifting in favor of the Plaintiffs.
Update as of 3/6/22
Recalls of Similac products have given greater visibility to NEC baby food-related lawsuits and made the public aware of the FDA’s inaction. Many plaintiffs; lawyers see this as a boost to their cases.
Update as of 3/31/22
Mead Johnson and Abbott Laboratories were named in a study that showed that 95% of the U.S. Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee held conflicting interests with major manufacturers within the food and pharmaceutical industries. Seven companies were signaled out as being corrupt in this fashion, and Mead Johnson and Abbott Laboratories were included in this list of seven.
Update as of 4/08/22
An MDL NEC baby formula class action lawsuit has been officially certified by the MDL Panel overseeing it. Due to this development, all NEC lawsuits filed within the federal court will be transferred to the oversight of Judge Rebecca Pallmeyer (who is a U.S. District Court Judge in the state of Illinois). The development progresses the case toward a trial date and puts more pressure on Mead Johnson and Abbott Laboratories to offer a reasonable settlement amount to resolve NEC formula lawsuits.
Update as of 5/04/22
NEC baby formula lawyers are continuing to move forward, and an increase in parents seeking to join the class action suit has been noticed. The publicity of NEC baby food-related lawsuits is likely the cause of this action.
Update as of 5/23/22
The first conference hearing for the Formula NEC MDL has begun in the Northern District of Illinois, under the oversight of Judge Rebecca Pallmeyer. Conferences are now underway to make selections for the plaintiff’s Lead Counsel, Liaison Counsel, and the leadership committee. More than 52 active cases have been consolidated into the MDL.
Update as of 6/06/22
The Hon. Rebecca Pallmeyer issued CMO #2, which ordered her final appointments of NEC attorneys that will serve as the Plaintiffs’ Lead Counsel, Liaison Counsel, and Steering Committee. More than 26 new cases have been transferred and added to the MDL class action suit.
Justice Will Be Served
With the rapid updates incoming regarding the NEC baby food-related lawsuits, and the many new plaintiffs that are joining the class action suit, there’s never been a better time to seek out help. If your premature infant was affected by NEC, after they were consuming cow milk-derived formula, then you likely qualify to join the suit. Seeking out professional. compassionate legal help will ensure you’re able to obtain the restitution that you deserve.
