Similac lawsuits have been filed for babies who were infected with deadly bacteria, such as Salmonella or Cronobacter, or developed a life-threatening intestinal disease called Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC).
Need a Texas Similac Lawyer? Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged. If your baby was diagnosed with Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) from Similac baby formula, you should contact our lawyers immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a lawsuit.
UPDATE: Liquid Similac® Recalled for Spoilage Risk
On October 14, 2022, Abbott recalled certain 2-oz. bottles of Similac® formula and other liquid products because the lid may not be sealed fully, so the products could be spoiled.
“If spoiled product is consumed, gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting may occur,” according to Abbott.
To check if your product’s lot number is being recalled, visit www.similacrecall.com. The following products were recalled:
- Similac® Pro-Total ComfortTM
- Similac® 360 Total Care®
- Similac 360 Total Care Sensitive
- Similac® Special Care® 24
- Similac Stage 1
- Similac® NeoSure®
- Similac Water (Sterilized)
- Pedialyte Electrolyte Solution
Similac Lawsuits Nationwide Centralized in Illinois Federal Court
In April 2022, dozens of nationwide Similac lawsuits for premature babies who developed Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) were coordinated into one federal court in Illinois, in a legal process that is similar to a class action.
This means that Similac and Enfamil baby formula lawsuits will be centralized in Multi-District Litigation (MDL No. 3026) in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois under Judge Rebecca R. Pallmeyer — IN RE: Abbott Laboratories, et al., Preterm Infant Nutrition Products Liability Litigation.
More Similac Baby Formula Recalled After Infant Dies
On February 28, 2022, Abbott Laboratories recalled even more Similac baby formula after another report of a baby who died after being infected with Cronobacter sakazakii bacteria.
The recall involves Similac PM 60/40 (Lot # 27032K80 (can) / Lot # 27032K800 (case) that was manufactured in Sturgis, Michigan.
In the recall notice, Abbott said: “This case is under investigation, and at this time the cause of the infant’s Cronobacter sakazakii infection has not been determined. We want to extend our heartfelt sympathies to the family.”
What Should I Do?
If you are a parent or caregiver who fed Similac to a baby, seek emergency medical attention if the baby develops symptoms of a Cronobacter or Salmonella infection, such as:
- poor feeding
- irritability
- temperature changes
- jaundice
- grunting breaths
- abnormal movements
- lethargy
- rash
- blood in the urine or stool
Similac Recalled After Deadly Infection Outbreak in Texas
In February 2022, after 4 babies were sickened in a deadly outbreak of bacterial infections, Abbott Nutrition recalled all Similac®, EleCare® and Alimentum® powdered baby formula made at a facility in Sturgis, Michigan, with expiration dates of April 2022 or later.
There were 3 reports of babies with Cronobacter infections and 1 baby with a Salmonella infection. All 4 babies were hospitalized, including 1 baby with Cronobacter who died. The illnesses were reported in Minnesota (1), Ohio (1), and Texas (2) from September 6, 2021 through December 18, 2021.
The babies were infected with two types of bacteria: Cronobacter sakazakii (including 1 baby who died) and 1 baby who was infected with Salmonella. These infections can cause Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC), meningitis, sepsis, and death.
The recall involves infant formulas with the following information on the bottom of the container:
- Product code: First two digits are 22 through 37
- Code on the bottom of the container contains “K8,” “SH,” or “Z2”
- Expiration date: 4-1-2022 (APR 2022) or later
Full List of Recalled Baby Formula Products
The following products are included in the recall if they have all three items below:
- the first two digits of the code are 22 through 37 and
- the code on the container contains K8, SH, or Z2, and
- the expiration date is 4-1-2022 (APR 2022) or later
Similac Products
Abbott Similac 360 Total Care Infant Formula with Iron
Abbott Similac Advance
Abbott Similac Advance Step-1
Abbott Similac Advance Step-2
Abbott Similac Advance Infant Formula with Iron
Abbott Similac Human Milk Fortifier
Abbott Similac Organic
Abbott Similac Organic with A2 Milk Infant Formula with Iron
Abbott Similac Organic with A2 Milk Toddler Drink
Abbott Similac Organic Toddler with A2 Milk Infant Formula with Iron
Abbott Similac Pro-Advance
Abbott Similac Pro-Advance Infant Formula with Iron
Abbott Similac Pro-Sensitive Infant Formula with Iron
Abbott Similac Pro-Total Comfort Infant Formula with Iron
Abbott Similac Sensitive
Abbott Similac Sensitive Infant Formula with Iron
Abbott Similac Sensitive Lactose Sensitivity
Abbott Similac for Supplementation
Abbott Similac For Spit Up Infant Formula with Iron
Abbott Similac Total Comfort
Abbott Similac Total Comfort Infant Formula with Iron
Abbott Similac EleCare HMO
Abbott Similac EleCare
Abbott EleCare Similac Gold
Abbott EleCare Similac
Abbott Similac PM 60/40 – only lot code 27032K80 (can) / 27032K800 (case)
Alimentum Products
Abbott Infant Formula Powder
Abbott Similac Alimentum
Abbott Similac Alimentum Allergies & Colic Hypoallergenic Infant Formula
Abbott Similac Alimentum with 2′-FL HMO
Abbott Similac Alimentum Eye Q Plus
Abbott Similac Alimentum HMO
Abbott Alimentum HMO
Abbott Similac Alimentum infant formula
Abbott Similac Alimentum Infant Formula with Iron
Abbott Similac Alimentum Toddler Drink
EleCare Products
Abbott EleCare
Abbott EleCare Amino Acid-Based Powder Infant Formula with Iron
Abbott EleCare Infant Formula Unflavoured
Abbott EleCare Junior Vanilla
Abbott EleCare Jr Similac Vanilla
Abbott EleCare Jr Amino Acid-Based Nutrition Powder Unflavored
Abbott EleCare Jr Amino Acid-Based Nutrition Powder Banana
Abbott EleCare Jr Amino Acid-Based Nutrition Powder Chocolate
Abbott EleCare Similac
Abbott EleCare Similac Gold
Abbott Similac EleCare HMO
Abbott Similac EleCare
EleCare LCP Hypoallergenic
What is Similac?
Similac® is a brand of baby formula that is created from cow’s milk and other ingredients. It is sold by Abbott Laboratories and advertised for babies under 12 months old, including premature babies.
Similac for Premature Babies
Several types of Similac are specifically advertised for premature babies, including Similac Special Care®, NeoSure® and Human Milk Fortifier®.
What is the Problem?
Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) is a potentially deadly side effect of Similac and other baby formulas (such as Enfamil), but there are no warnings on the label. Instead, the label only generally warns: “Very-low-birthweight infants are particularly susceptible to gastrointestinal complications.”
What is Necrotizing Enterocolitis?
Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) occurs when large sections of the intestines become inflamed and die in response to feeding. The necrotic (dead) section of the intestines can create a hole that allows bacteria to leak into the abdomen, resulting in a severe infection that spreads rapidly and causes death.
What is the Risk?
NEC occurs in 7-12% of premature babies who are born weighing less than 3.3 pounds. Tragically, about 30% of cases are deadly. Many babies only survive after undergoing surgery to remove the damaged part of the intestines, but this can result in complications, such as:
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Hole in the intestines
- Lifelong digestive problems
- Need for parenteral (IV) feeding
- Failure to thrive
- Developmental delays and neurological disabilities
- Narrow or blocked parts of the intestines (strictures and adhesions)
- Liver disease (cholestasis)
- Short bowel syndrome
- Abdominal inflammation (peritonitis)
- Bloodstream infections (sepsis)
- And more
Baby Formula and Necrotizing Enterocolitis
Necrotizing Enterocolitis is 6- to 10-times more common when premature babies are fed cow’s-milk-based baby formula rather than breast milk (or pasteurized donor breast milk).
Numerous studies have confirmed this since the 1990s, but despite 30 years of evidence, premature babies are still commonly fed formula in the NICU soon after they are born. This is because premature babies may be unable to breastfeed, and yet they need extra calories to grow.
Similac Lawsuits
In May 2021, a baby formula lawsuit was filed on behalf of a premature baby boy who developed NEC and died after being fed Similac infant formula in the NICU at Valley Children’s Hospital in Merced, California.
The baby, Daniel R., was born at 31 weeks gestation and died when he was only 16 days old. His parents filed a lawsuit accusing Abbott Laboratories and Mead Johnson & Company of failing to warn them about the risk of Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) from baby formula.
The lawsuit was filed on May 14, 2021, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California — Case Number 1:21-cv-00798-AWI-SKO.
Need a Similac Lawyer in Texas?
Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged.
Collen’s amazing success in the courtroom and well known dedication to his clients has earned him the recognition of his peers as one of The Top Trial Lawyers in Texas.”
The Clark Firm has assembled a team of trial lawyers with more than 100 years experience, participation in over 600 jury trials and $260 million in verdicts and/or settlements. Please use the form below to contact our law firm for a free case review.
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