Verdict comes after two previous juries ordered Abbott Laboratories and Mead Johnson to pay millions of dollars in damages to families of children who developed NEC from Similac or Enfamil.
Studies have shown that side effects of Similac and Enfamil formula substantially increase the risk of NEC for premature newborns, lawsuit notes.
Early breastfeeding, even if it only lasts a few days, could be instrumental in protecting a newborn's health, researchers indicate.
Parties have agreed that a series of four bellwether NEC trials will be ready to go before federal juries in May 2025, August 2025, November 2025 and February 2026.
Two previous state trials involving lawsuits over NEC infant formula risks led to verdicts awarding families more than half a billion dollars.
Specific starting dates for each of the first four baby formula NEC lawsuit bellwether trials in the federal MDL will be set at a future status conference.
Abbott was ordered to pay $95 million in compensatory damages to an Illinois mother for failing to warn about the risk of NEC from Similac, with another $400 million assessed to punish the manufacturer for it's conduct
Removing Similac Special Care and other premature infant formula products from the market could staunch the flow of future NEC lawsuits, experts say.
A mother from Illinois indicates that her premature daughter developed NEC from Similac, claiming that Abbott failed to warn parents and medical staff of the devastating risks associated with the cow's milk-based formula.
Nearly 20 years after being fed Enfamil formula in the hospital, plaintiff's daughter continues to suffer from injuries caused by NEC, highlighting how earlier warnings could have prevented long-term harm.
