NEC Baby Formula Lawsuit — Similac NEC lawsuit

Necrotizing enterocolitis, or NEC, is a severe intestinal disease that most commonly affects premature babies. Tissue in the intestine becomes inflamed and can die, leading to long-term disability, the need for major surgery, or death. It is most common in infants born before 28 weeks or weighing under about 3.5 pounds.

The NEC baby formula lawsuits target Abbott, maker of Similac, and Mead Johnson, maker of Enfamil. The cases allege that cow's-milk-based hospital formulas significantly increase the risk of NEC in premature infants and that the companies failed to provide adequate warnings to parents and medical providers.

The scientific basis comes from peer-reviewed studies showing premature infants fed cow's-milk-based formula are more likely to develop NEC than those fed human breast milk or pasteurized donor milk.

As of 2026 there are roughly 800 active cases in the federal MDL in the Northern District of Illinois. A jury in April 2026 awarded $70 million to four families. The first federal Enfamil bellwether trial is scheduled for July 2026 and the Similac bellwether for August 2026. These outcomes will shape settlement frameworks for the remaining cases.

Parents of premature infants who were given Similac, Enfamil, or other cow's-milk-based hospital formula and later developed NEC may be eligible. Cases involving infant death also qualify. Statute of limitations rules vary by state, so families should not delay an evaluation.