EDWARDSVILLE — A mother alleges her son suffered long term health effects as a result of being fed Similac and Enfamil as a premature infant.
Mercedes Newell, on behalf of herself and her minor child I.N., filed a complaint Sept. 2 in the Madison County Circuit Court against Mead Johnson & Company LLC, Mead Johnson Nutrition Company and Abbott Laboratories, alleging negligence, strict liability and other claims.
According to the complaint, I.N. was born prematurely on Oct. 8, 2013 at 27 weeks gestation. Newell alleges that shortly after his birth and throughout his hospital stay, I.N., was given Similac and/or Enfamil cow's milk-based formula. Newell claims that shortly after ingesting the formula, her son developed Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) and required a portion of his intestines to be removed.
The plaintiff alleges that as a result of I.N.'s consumption of the defendants' cow's milk-based formulas, he has suffered long-term health effects.
The plaintiff further alleges the defendants falsely marketed their products to parents and healthcare providers as safe for premature infants despite science showing their products significantly increase the risk NEC in premature babies. Among the plaintiffs other claims is that the defendants failed to adequately warn of the dangers of their cow's milk-based infant feeding products for premature infants.
The plaintiffs seek monetary relief, trial by jury and all other just relief. They are represented by Tor Hoerman, Kenneth Brennan and Tyler Schneider of Torhoerman Law LLC in Edwardsville.
Madison County Circuit Court case number 21-L-001065