Toxic Baby Formula Lawsuit
The Jackson mass tort lawyers at Mama Justice are here to help you hold negligent manufacturers accountable for your baby’s suffering.
Every minute, more than 250 babies are born in the United States. These births add up to more than 385,000 daily. Around 9.8% of these babies are born prematurely. When babies are born before 37 weeks of gestation, they are likely to suffer some type of health complication. Many babies are underweight at the time of birth and lack the nutrition they need. As a result, doctors of premature babies are likely to recommend to parents to give their baby formula in order to help them gain weight and maximize the nutrients they receive.
Recently, studies have found that certain formulas provided to premature babies drastically increased the likelihood that they would develop necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). This condition can lead to serious health consequences and even death. Leading manufacturers are aware of the problems associated with the use of their formula. However, they have failed to create warning labels on their products to tell mothers about the potential complications that may arise.
If your child developed NEC as a result of using a baby formula from Abbott Laboratories or Mead Johnson & Company, contact our Jackson mass tort lawyers at Mama Justice as soon as possible. You may have legal options available to help you get justice.
What is Necrotizing Enterocolitis?
The fact that premature babies are born before they are able to fully develop means they are more likely to have low birth weight. Premature babies often require additional nutrition and extra care throughout early childhood. As a result, many doctors will recommend that mothers provide their babies with formula in order to maximize the nutrients they receive at each feeding. Although cow’s milk-based formulas are designed to help babies grow and thrive, they have been linked to serious health problems.
One of the most commonly reported issues associated with formula among newborns is called necrotizing enterocolitis, or NEC. NEC is a serious gastrointestinal disease that can result in serious health problems or death. NEC can cause the intestinal tissue to die or can create holes in the intestines due to erosion. As a result of NEC, bacteria can leak through the hole and cause severe infections in newborns. The fact that premature babies are particularly vulnerable means there is an increased risk of serious injury or death associated with the development of NEC.
Some commonly reported symptoms of NEC include:
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain and swelling
- Abnormal breathing
- Loss of appetite
- Change in heart rate
- Changes in body temperature
- Change in blood pressure
- Lack of weight gain
Children who are diagnosed with NEC often face a long road to recovery. Not only is this condition incredibly painful, but it can result in life-long problems. Although most children do survive the disease, they are often left with severe and long-term injuries. In severe cases, babies have passed away as a result of their injuries. For this reason, it is imperative that your family seeks legal assistance as soon as possible.
