There are many reasons a baby may consume formula. If your baby suffered because of their formula, you could be eligible for compensation. Our Jacksonville Enfamil lawsuit lawyer could help evaluate your case and protect your legal rights if this describes your situation.
What Is Enfamil?
Enfamil is an infant formula product manufactured by Mead Johnson Nutrition Company. Many argue that for babies' ideal health, they should be fed breast milk. However, this is not always possible. When mothers are unavailable or cannot create breast milk, babies receive a substitute milk instead, such as Enfamil.
Enfamil is commonly used in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Babies in this unit are born in complicated health circumstances and need treatment and nourishment to recover. Parents at home also use Enfamil and other, similar formulas to feed their children.
Has Enfamil Been Recalled?
The journal Advances in Nutrition states that Enfamil (and similar products based on cow's milk) are linked to cases of NEC. Enfamil has not been recalled, though. Enfamil is aware of the connection. At this point, Enfamil is continuing to produce infant feeding products, and hospitals and parents are continuing to feed Enfamil to newborn babies routinely.
If your child suffered and/or contracted NEC due to consuming formula based on cow's milk, you could have a case. An Enfamil lawsuit lawyer serving Jacksonville can answer your questions and set you on the right path.
What Damages Can You Claim in an Enfamil Lawsuit?
If your child has contracted NEC because of being fed Enfamil (or a similar product) at the hospital, you could be eligible for compensation. Claiming damages is complex. Generally, there are two kinds of damages: economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages refer to actual expenses, such as a medical bill. Non-economic damages refer to other costs incurred (though not financial), including pain and suffering.
Every personal injury lawsuit is different. The specifics of your case will determine what damages you could claim. In the past, our clients have claimed the following:
- Medical bills for the NEC treatment
- Bills for rehabilitation and future care
- Pain and suffering caused by the NEC diagnosis
- Impact on the quality of life of the child
What Is Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC)?
Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) is a dangerous condition that typically only affects newborns. It's a severe condition. While medical professionals can treat it relatively simply with antibiotics, it can lead to serious results and sometimes even death when untreated. If your child passed after contracting NEC due to ingesting Enfamil, you might be eligible for a wrongful death lawsuit.
Cleveland Clinic states that NEC affects the gastrointestinal system. When it begins, it inflames the intestines. After some time (without treatment), the inflammation will gradually create perforations or holes in the intestine.
This is when the condition becomes even more serious. The holes in the intestine allow bacteria to leak into the baby's bloodstream (or abdomen in some cases). Even when treated correctly, NEC can have long-lasting effects on a person's health.
Symptoms of NEC Potentially Linked to Enfamil Formula
It is often quite challenging to determine what is bothering a newborn baby. One indicator of necrotizing enterocolitis is a lack of appetite. The newborn may turn away from a bottle of formula instead of drinking it. Some of the many severe symptoms of NEC include:
- Rapid changes in body temperature
- Vomit
- Bloody and loose stools
- Lethargy
- No weight gain
- Uneven breathing
- Changes in heart rate or blood pressure
Other Conditions Caused By NEC Possibly Linked to Enfamil Formula
NEC can be serious enough on its own. However, NEC also puts infants at risk for other conditions. Some of the most serious conditions that NEC can cause are:
- Infection of the abdomen- Perforations formed from inflammation in the intestines allow bacteria to seep into the bloodstream.
- Sepsis- This is a severe, sometimes fatal, blood infection.
- Intestinal stricture
- Developmental delays- NEC can stunt growth and development.
- Short bowel syndrome- This condition can leave a newborn dependent on a feeding tube for their entire life.
How Is NEC in Infants Diagnosed?
Because NEC almost exclusively impacts newborn babies, it is somewhat hard to detect. A newborn can't communicate how they are hurt (and to what degree).
Pediatricians may examine the abdomen area of a patient for swelling or tenderness. This is often the case when NEC is first suspected. However, to get a precise diagnosis, medical professionals diagnose NEC in one of three ways.
- The baby can receive an X-ray examination. An X-ray can reveal air bubbles near the intestine, a clear sign of NEC.
- NEC can be diagnosed with a blood test. A blood test can identify whether or not the baby has bacteria in their blood.
- A fecal test can also be revealing. If a child has NEC, their stool will likely contain at least some blood.
How Can Enfamil-Connected NEC Be Treated?
The treatments for NEC can be extremely costly. The disease is identified early in an ideal scenario, and antibiotics could be enough to treat it. However, this is not always the case. If NEC is not caught early on, symptoms can intensify. Furthermore, the treatments become more expensive and invasive. NEC treatments include:
- Antibiotics
- Blood transfusion
- IV fluids
- Feeding tube (nasogastric)
- Surgery
All of these treatments can be very expensive. It is beneficial to maintain appropriate documentation to prove your damages later on.
Contact Dolman Law Group Today About Your Enfamil Formula Case
If your baby has been diagnosed with NEC due to Enfamil consumption, consider contacting Dolman Law Group. An Enfamil lawsuit lawyer can help guide you through the complex legal process and help you get the compensation your Jacksonville family needs.
Act quickly to retain your rights. Get a free consultation with our firm today. Our team is here to answer questions and evaluate your case.
Jacksonville Office
12574 Flagler Center Blvd.;
Suite 101
Jacksonville, FL 32258
Phone: (904) 441-6903