{
  "schemaType": "LegalCase",
  "title": "NEC Baby Formula",
  "shortName": "NEC",
  "slug": "nec-baby-formula",
  "canonicalUrl": "https://tortsignals.lawtegic.solutions/torts/nec-baby-formula",
  "description": "Cow's-milk-based premature-infant formulas are linked to necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a devastating intestinal disease. $495M jury verdict in 2024 against Mead Johnson set bellwether benchmark.",
  "body": "Cow's-milk-based premature-infant formulas are linked to necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a devastating intestinal disease. $495M jury verdict in 2024 against Mead Johnson set bellwether benchmark.",
  "tortSignalScore": 70,
  "opportunityScore": 78,
  "riskScore": 30,
  "mdl": "MDL 3026 (N.D. Ill.)",
  "docket": "MDL 3026 (N.D. Ill.)",
  "drugName": "NEC",
  "defendant": "Abbott (Similac), Mead Johnson (Enfamil)",
  "primaryInjury": "Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in premature infants",
  "jurisdictionLead": "Northern Illinois",
  "stage": "mid",
  "campaign": "OPEN",
  "caseValueRange": "$200K – $1.5M per qualifying claim",
  "litigationStatus": "MDL 3026 active. Bellwether verdicts strongly favoring plaintiffs ($495M Mead Johnson 2024). Active filings.",
  "attorneyAction": "High-priority intake. Strong bellwether outcomes. Document NICU records and feeding history.",
  "qualifies": "Premature infants (born <37 weeks) fed cow's-milk-based formula (Similac or Enfamil) who were diagnosed with NEC.",
  "competition": "moderate",
  "recentNews": [
    {
      "date": "Apr 14, 2026",
      "source": "Law360",
      "headline": "Second NEC bellwether returns $190M plaintiff verdict against Abbott"
    },
    {
      "date": "Apr 07, 2026",
      "source": "Reuters",
      "headline": "Abbott Similac NEC label change announced for premature infant warnings"
    }
  ],
  "faq": [
    {
      "q": "What is the NEC baby formula lawsuit about?",
      "a": "Plaintiffs allege Abbott (Similac) and Mead Johnson (Enfamil) failed to warn that cow's-milk-based formulas significantly increase the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in premature infants."
    },
    {
      "q": "Who qualifies?",
      "a": "Premature infants (born before 37 weeks) who were fed cow's-milk-based Similac or Enfamil products and were diagnosed with NEC."
    },
    {
      "q": "What is the case value?",
      "a": "Qualifying claims range from $200,000 to $1.5 million, with bellwether verdicts reaching as high as $495 million."
    },
    {
      "q": "What is the litigation status?",
      "a": "MDL 3026 is active in the Northern District of Illinois. Bellwether verdicts have strongly favored plaintiffs."
    },
    {
      "q": "What should attorneys do?",
      "a": "High-priority intake. Document NICU records, gestational age at birth, formula brand, and feeding timeline."
    }
  ],
  "publisher": {
    "name": "LawTegic Solutions Media",
    "brand": "TortSignal",
    "url": "https://tortsignals.lawtegic.solutions"
  },
  "license": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "updatedAt": "2026-06-18T21:16:34.706Z"
}