Doctors usually recommend feeding prematurely born children with baby formula to support their growth and development. However, recently, there have been growing concerns over the safety of some baby formula products, more specifically, Enfamil.
If your child has suffered from any harmful effects after using these products, you could file a lawsuit to recover your compensation. Hiring a Houston Enfamil lawsuit lawyer to help you with your case can take the stress off your shoulders.
What Is Enfamil?
Enfamil refers to a baby formula product created from cow milk and other ingredients to help babies, especially premature ones, grow and develop. Babies thrive best on natural breast milk. However, it's not always possible for mothers to breastfeed their newborns, especially in NICUs. For the longest time, relying on baby formulas such as Enfamil products was considered the best alternative.
Common examples of Enfamil products include:
- Enfamil NeuroPro EnfaCare Infant Formula
- Similac NeoSure
- Similac Special Care 20
- Enfamil Human Milk Fortifier
- Similac Liquid Protein Fortifier
- Enfamil Premature Infant Formula 24 Cal High Protein
What Is an Enfamil Lawsuit and How Could It Help My Family?
An Enfamil lawsuit refers to a legal claim against Mead Johnson Nutrition for defective design and failure to warn consumers against the dangers of using its baby formula. As a result, some infants have developed necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).
Children's digestive systems are not as strong when they are born. However, those who develop NEC can develop lifelong complications, and sometimes, pass away.
The Problem With Enfamil
A few years back, most doctors globally agreed that Enfamil baby formula products were a viable alternative to human breast milk for children born prematurely. However, recent scientific studies show that children who rely on these products are more likely to develop necrotizing enterocolitis than other available baby formulas.
NEC is a digestive tract illness that can cause intestinal inflammation and other damages. Even though most children can live a normal life, severe cases of NEC may require surgery to repair and remove the damaged intestines. Also, there is a possibility that this disease can be fatal, given that premature children (who mostly rely on Enfamil products) do not have strong immunities to fend off infections and harmful bacteria.
The Journal of Pediatric Surgery states that NEC causes developmental delays. Cleveland Clinic states that signs and symptoms include:
- Constipation
- Lethargy
- Tinged yellow or green vomit
- Inability to eat well and gain weight
- Diarrhea with blood or dark-colored tools
- Apnea
- Distended abdominal cavity
How Many Enfamil Lawsuits Have Been Filed?
A considerable amount of Enfamil lawsuits have been filed to date. These claims have come from within Houston and beyond. At the time of writing, Reuters notes that there have been about 33 lawsuits in Illinois against the manufacturer of Enfamil, Mead Johnson & Company.
The causes of action for these growing number of Enfamil lawsuits include:
- Strict product liability
- Negligence
- Failure to warn
- Breach of warranty
- Intentional and negligent misrepresentation
What Damages Can You Recover from Your Enfamil Lawsuit?
Infant formula lawsuits are not as popular in Houston; most litigations are still in their early stages. Nevertheless, attorneys are looking for ways to recover settlements for their clients for damages such as:
- The medical costs incurred by parents when treating their children for NEC
- Funeral costs (for the children that pass away)
- Pain and suffering
- Other out-of-pocket costs
Do You Need an Enfamil Lawsuit Lawyer to File Your Claim?
Usually, you don't have to hire a lawyer to help you with your personal injury case. However, given the uniqueness of Enfamil lawsuits, hiring a professional to represent and negotiate on your behalf can help. We can help you recover compensation for your damages. An attorney can:
Gather Evidence
Mead Johnson & Company already has its defenses:
- They claim that their product, Enfamil, is still approved by the FDA, therefore, clearing it of any defective design.
- They also say the company doesn't owe anyone duty of care or warn about the risks of using Enfamil. Instead, they push the responsibility to doctors who prescribe the baby formula.
It can be challenging to win your case alone based on the above arguments. Your lawyer can collect evidence that will eventually implicate the liable party.
Represent You in Negotiations
In most cases, settlement talks happen out of court. If you file an Enfamil lawsuit, you will meet with the manufacturer's representatives and negotiate a compensation amount you feel is right for your damages.
Without enough legal knowledge going into these negotiations, you may end up with a lowball offer—or nothing at all. A personal injury attorney has handled many similar cases and can help you negotiate for what is rightfully yours.
File an Enfamil Lawsuit
If negotiations fail, your attorney can file an Enfamil lawsuit to compel the liable party to pay for your damages. Your lawyer will be responsible for informing you what your chances of winning are, developing the right strategies, and providing the necessary evidence to make your case.
What Is the Cost of Hiring a Houston Enfamil Lawyer?
We operate on a contingency-fee basis. You don't pay unless we recover your money for you. Our team deducts our fee from your final settlement to cater to our services and time spent working on your lawsuit.
Where to Find an Attorney for Your Houston Enfamil Lawsuit
Dolman Law Group is a law firm committed to helping you recover from a personal injury or your loved one's wrongful death. We understand you are already going through a lot. Our focus is to help you become as comfortable as possible as we fight for your rights.
We will analyze your case and provide the best way forward with no obligations when you come to us. If your child is suffering from the effects of using Enfamil products, contact us for a free case evaluation. Start your journey toward recovering compensation.
Houston Office
6330 Gulf Fwy Suite 110
Houston, TX 77023
Phone:
(281) 524-4370