EDWARDSVILLE — Several parents claim Mead Johnson and Abbott should have used pasteurized breastmilk in their infant formulas rather than cow's milk, which they claim caused their premature infants to suffer injuries.
Jennifer Mahoney, Danaeja Davis and others filed a complaint Sept. 24 in the Madison County Circuit Court against Mead Johnson & Company, Mead Johnson Nutrition Company and Abbott Laboratories, alleging strict liability for design defect, strict liability for failure to warn, negligence and other claims.
The plaintiffs allege in their complaint that their premature infants suffered injuries after they were fed the defendants' cow's milk-based infant feeding formulas shortly after birth. Specifically, the plaintiffs claim the injured infants development necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), which caused long-term health effects and even death.
They allege that Abbott and Mead "aggressively marketed" their cow's milk-based infant formula and failed to adequately warn of the "detrimental impacts" of their products on premature infants. The plaintiffs claim the defendants could have used pasteurized breast milk instead of cow's milk in their products which would have been a safer alternative. They also allege the defendants knew or reasonably should have known their cow's milk-based products posed an increased risk of NEC, serious injury and death for premature infants.
The plaintiffs seek monetary relief, trial by jury and all other just relief. They are represented by Eric Holland and Robert Evola of The Holland Law Firm in St. Louis and Ann Callis of The Holland Law Firm in Granite City.
Madison County Circuit Court case number 21-L-001158