EDWARDSVILLE — Mead Johnson and Abbott are facing a suit alleging their cow's milk-based infant formulas caused long-term health effects and even death to premature infants.
Jessica Hirschenfofer, on her own behalf and on behalf of her minor child Alaric Hirschenfofer, and others filed a complaint Oct. 29 in the Madison County Circuit Court against Mead Johnson & Company LLC, Mead Johnson Nutrition Company and Abbott Laboratories, alleging strict liability and other claims.
The plaintiffs allege in their complaint that their premature infants suffered necrotizing entercolitis (NEC) after they were fed the defendants' cow's milk-based infant formulas. Specifically, the plaintiffs claim the premature infants were given Similac and Enfamil, which resulted in their death or long-term health effects.
The plaintiffs claim the defendants failed to warn them that the products were unsafe for premature babies despite "well-researched" and "well-established" studies linking the danger of NEC for premature infants. They further allege the defendants made misrepresentations to consumers, physicians and medical personnel through its advertising and marketing that their formulas were safe and beneficial.
The plaintiffs seek monetary relief, trial by jury and all other just relief. They are represented by Eric Holland, Robert Evola and R. Seth Crompton of The Holland Law Firm in St. Louis, Ann Callis of The Holland Law Firm in Granite City and Travis Lenkner and Ashley Keller of Keller Lenkner LLC in Chicago.
Madison County Circuit Court case number 21-L-001318