Abbott Laboratories, Inc. (Similac)
Similac NEC Lawsuits: Families of Premature Infants May Have Claims
Ongoing litigation accuses Abbott Laboratories of failing to warn that cow's-milk-based Similac formulas may raise NEC risk in premature infants — juries have already awarded up to $495 million and $70 million in individual cases.
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Plain-language overview
Who may qualify?
Eligibility depends on the dates, products, locations, and other terms listed for this claim. Review any criteria below and the official terms before deciding whether it may apply to you.
- Premature or low‑birth‑weight infant: The child was born preterm or with low birth weight.
- Use of Similac cow’s‑milk formula: The child was fed cow’s‑milk‑based Similac formula (for example, Similac 360 Total Care, Alimentum, Go & Grow, NeoSure, or Special Care lines).
- NEC and/or short bowel syndrome diagnosis: The child was diagnosed with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and/or short bowel syndrome.
Case overview
What this settlement is about
A wave of product-liability lawsuits, including the consolidated MDL 3026 proceeding plus individual cases in state and federal courts, accuses Abbott Laboratories over its cow's-milk-based Similac formulas. Families of premature or low-birth-weight infants allege the formulas may increase the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a serious intestinal condition, and claim Abbott failed to adequately warn parents, doctors, and NICU staff of that risk. No nationwide settlement has been reached, and the litigation remains ongoing, but it could eventually produce large verdicts or a broader resolution. So far, juries have delivered major awards in individual cases: a $495 million verdict in Missouri and a $70 million verdict in Illinois for four mothers.
