Similac^® Lawsuit

Cow’s milk-based infant formulas made by Abbott Laboratories, the manufacturer of Similac^®, have been linked to a serious intestinal disease called necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in premature babies. Compensation from a Similac lawsuit can help cover medical bills, long-term care costs, and more. See if you qualify.

Get a Free Case Review

Why Take Legal Action?

By filing a product liability lawsuit, you can pursue financial compensation and justice from the companies that caused you or a loved one harm.

Results Secured

$40 million for a veteran exposed to asbestos from Goodyear gaskets
$1.16 million for a Roundup^® victim in New York
$575,000 for a man in Florida who suffered chemical burns from Just for Men^® hair dye

Fact-Checked and Legally Reviewed by: Rae Theodore

Last updated: Oct 31, 2025

Similac Lawsuit Update 2025

Similac lawsuits claim that Abbott Laboratories failed to warn families about the risks of feeding cow’s milk-based infant formulas to premature or low-birth-weight babies, leading to a serious intestinal disease called necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).

Key Facts About Similac Formula Lawsuits

NEC causes inflammation and tissue death in the intestines. It can lead to infection, surgery, or even death.
Studies show premature infants fed cow’s milk formulas face a higher risk of NEC than those fed human breast milk.
Families allege Abbott knew or should have known about these dangers but failed to update its warning labels or inform parents and health care providers.
Similac products were often promoted as safe and nutritionally comparable to breast milk and even used in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) without full disclosure of the potential risks of developing NEC.
Families are seeking compensation for medical bills, long-term care, pain and suffering, and, in some cases, wrongful death.

At LawFirm.com, our product liability lawyers have recovered over $10.1 billion for those harmed through no fault of their own.

If your child developed NEC after being fed Similac or Enfamil^™ formula, you may be eligible for compensation. Get a free case review now — our legal partners can help families in all 50 states.

Similac Lawsuit Settlement Amounts

While most Similac lawsuit settlements are confidential, one major case has shed light on potential compensation amounts.

In July 2024, a Missouri jury awarded $495 million to the family of a child who developed necrotizing enterocolitis after being fed Similac formula. The child suffered severe neurological damage and will need lifelong care.

Similac lawsuit settlements and verdicts may compensate families for:

Hospitalization, surgeries, and long-term medical care
Pain and suffering
Specialized nursing or therapy needs
Wrongful death damages in fatal NEC cases

Baby formula lawsuit payout amounts vary based on the severity of the child’s injuries and the strength of evidence linking their NEC diagnosis to Similac formula.

“As a product liability lawyer, I always fight to secure as much money as quickly as possible, so families have the financial resources to provide the care their child needs and deserves.”

– Brendan Smith, Partner at Simmons Hanly Conroy

Call (888) 726-9160 right now or chat with a case manager to see if a top baby formula lawyer may be able to seek a Similac lawsuit settlement for your family.

Similac Products Linked to NEC

The Similac baby formula products associated with an increased risk of NEC in premature and low-birth-weight infants are those made with cow’s milk proteins.

Similac lawsuits claim these formulas were fed to vulnerable newborns, sometimes in NICUs, without proper warnings about the potential health issues.

Cow’s milk-based Similac formulas linked to NEC include:

Similac^® 360 Total Care^®
Similac^® Alimentum^®
Similac^® Expert Care^® Alimentum®
Similac^® Go & Grow
Similac^® NeoSure^®
Similac^® Special Care^®
Similac^® Special Care^® 20
Similac^® Special Care^® 24
Similac^® Special Care^® 24 High Protein
Similac^® Special Care^® 30

Because preterm infants have underdeveloped digestive systems, even small exposures can lead to severe inflammation, infection, or intestinal damage.

Despite this, Abbott Laboratories has not recalled its cow’s milk-based Similac products or updated warning labels to reflect the potential risk of NEC.

What Is Necrotizing Enterocolitis?

Necrotizing enterocolitis is a serious and sometimes fatal intestinal disease that mostly affects premature or low-birth-weight infants. It causes inflammation in the small or large intestine that can quickly progress to tissue death and dangerous infection.

How NEC Develops and Who’s at Risk

Intestinal injury and infection: NEC damages the intestinal lining. As intestinal tissue dies, perforations can occur, causing bacteria to leak into the abdomen or bloodstream and leading to life-threatening infections like sepsis.
Premature birth: Babies born before 37 weeks or weighing under 5 lbs 8 oz have underdeveloped digestive systems, making them more vulnerable.
Formula feeding: Studies show that feeding premature infants cow’s milk-based formulas like Similac or Enfamil greatly increases NEC risk compared to breast milk.
Timing: Most NEC cases develop within the first 2 weeks of life.
Complications: Severe cases may cause intestinal scarring, short bowel syndrome, or brain injury from oxygen loss.

Symptoms of NEC often include a swollen or red belly, bloody stools, feeding intolerance, or lethargy, which are all medical emergencies that require immediate care.

About 8 in 10 babies survive NEC, but many face lasting medical challenges, according to Cleveland Clinic. Compensation from a Similac NEC lawsuit can help cover the care your child needs and deserves.

Who Qualifies for a Similac NEC Lawsuit?

Families may qualify for a Similac NEC lawsuit if their child was born prematurely, fed Similac formula, and later developed necrotizing enterocolitis or related complications.

You may be eligible to file a Similac baby formula lawsuit if your child was:

Born prematurely or with low birth weight, making them more susceptible to NEC
Fed a cow’s milk-based Similac formula at home or in the hospital
Diagnosed with NEC or short bowel syndrome following formula feeding

Families who lost a child to NEC may also qualify to file a wrongful death lawsuit. While no amount of money can erase what happened, seeking accountability can sometimes help families gain closure and move forward.

How to File a Similac Lawsuit in 2025

Filing a Similac lawsuit, which is a type of product liability case, begins with determining eligibility and then working closely with an attorney. With a legal professional shouldering the work, you can focus on your child’s care.

Your legal team can:

Provide a free case review, so you can determine your eligibility for a Similac lawsuit without adding to any financial concerns.
Gather evidence like your baby’s medical records, feeding history, and hospital notes to link their NEC diagnosis to Similac formula
File your Similac NEC lawsuit in the correct court before any state filing deadlines
Negotiate a Similac lawsuit settlement with Abbott Laboratories to cover hospital stays, surgeries, ongoing care, and more
Represent you in court if a settlement isn’t reached and pursue compensation from a verdict

It’s important to act quickly while evidence is still available and witnesses can recall exactly what happened. Acting early not only strengthens your case but also ensures you don’t miss key filing deadlines.

Deadlines for a Lawsuit Against Similac

Families considering a Similac NEC lawsuit should reach out to a baby formula attorney as soon as possible. Legal deadlines known as statutes of limitations set a time limit for filing a claim against Abbott Laboratories.

Time limits vary by state, ranging from 1-6 years after a child’s NEC diagnosis or passing. Once the deadline expires, you may lose your right to pursue compensation.

Starting early gives your lawyer more time to gather medical records, consult experts, and build the strongest possible case.

“Filing now isn’t just about deadlines — it’s about protecting your family’s future. By taking action sooner, you can give yourself peace of mind that your child’s case is in motion and that your family’s voice will be part of this fight for justice.”

– Brendan Smith, Partner at Simmons Hanly Conroy

Even if the injury occurred years ago, you may still qualify for compensation. At LawFirm.com, our experienced legal partners can help determine how long you have to file and ensure your case is submitted before time runs out.

Get Help Filing a Similac Formula Lawsuit

If your baby developed necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) after being fed Similac formula, your family may be entitled to compensation.

Our Similac lawsuit lawyers can stand up to powerful companies like Abbott Laboratories on your behalf and fight for the justice your child deserves.

Our trusted legal partners:

Can help families in all 50 states
Have secured over $10.1 billion for those harmed through no fault of their own
Never charge any upfront costs or hourly fees

Call (888) 726-9160 right now or get a free case review to take the first step toward compensation for NEC.

Similac Neosure Lawsuit FAQs

What is the lawsuit against Similac formula?

The Similac formula lawsuit is a product liability case against manufacturer Abbott Laboratories. Families claim Abbott failed to warn that its cow’s milk-based infant formulas could cause a serious intestinal disease called necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in preterm babies.

Similac NEC lawsuits seek compensation for medical costs, long-term care, pain and suffering, and, in tragic cases, wrongful death.

Get a free case review now to learn about your legal options.

Is there a Similac class action lawsuit?

The Similac lawsuits are being handled through a process similar to a class action, called a multidistrict litigation (MDL). This allows families nationwide to share evidence and streamline pretrial proceedings, but each family’s claim remains individual.

In one Similac NEC lawsuit within the MDL, a Missouri jury awarded $495 million to a family whose child developed necrotizing enterocolitis after being fed Similac formula.

Call (888) 726-9160 to see if you may be eligible for compensation.

What is the average payout for the NEC lawsuit?

The average payout for the Similac NEC lawsuit varies based on factors like medical expenses, long-term care needs, and whether the case involves wrongful death.

Recent NEC lawsuit verdicts include $60 million in an Enfamil case and $495 million in a Similac case.

See if you may qualify for a Similac lawsuit payout with a free case review.

What's going on with Similac?

Families are filing lawsuits against Abbott Laboratories, the maker of Similac, claiming its cow’s milk-based baby formulas caused necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm infants.

These cases are part of a mass tort in federal court in the Northern District of Illinois, where early bellwether trials are helping determine potential financial compensation for affected families.