December 2024 Enfamil Lawsuit Update
The number of cases in the infant formula NEC class action MDL keeps growing steadily. In November, 26 new cases were added, which is the same number as the month before. Currently, there are 626 cases pending in the MDL. However, there is no information on how many of these cases involve Enfamil compared to other formula brands.
November 2024 Enfamil Lawsuit Update
The judge overseeing the NEC formula MDL has scheduled an important in-court status conference for December 19th, which is not very common in such cases. During this conference, several key topics will be discussed, including the process for selecting the bellwether cases (which are representative cases used to guide the rest of the litigation), ongoing discovery issues (where both sides exchange evidence and information), and the possibility of moving toward settlement mediation to resolve the cases without going to trial. This conference will be a critical step in moving the litigation forward.
May 2024 Enfamil Lawsuit Update
To prevent defendants from being wrongly named in NEC lawsuits, the MDL judge has introduced a new rule specifically regarding Mead Johnson & Company. The rule requires that the company can only be included in the lawsuit if there is clear evidence showing that the baby used their products.
To make sure this is followed, the court has set out clear steps for identifying Mead Johnson products. Lawyers representing the plaintiffs must carefully review the baby’s medical and feeding records from birth until discharge to confirm which products were used. If the records don’t show clear evidence of using Mead Johnson products, further investigation is needed.
If lawyers don’t follow these rules or fail to prove that Mead Johnson products were involved, the case could be thrown out. This new rule highlights the importance of careful research before filing a lawsuit to ensure that only relevant cases against Mead Johnson move forward in the NEC formula MDL.
January 2024 Enfamil Lawsuit Update
The NEC class action lawsuits in both state and federal courts are progressing, but at a slow pace. However, progress is being made. Plaintiffs believe the stronger cases are solid, but there may not be as many strong cases as attorneys initially expected.
As of December 2023, 290 cases have been filed in the multidistrict litigation (MDL) in the Northern District of Illinois, with Judge Rebecca Pallmeyer overseeing the consolidation and coordination of these cases. Many more lawsuits have been filed in state court.
The first bellwether trials for the NEC MDL are scheduled for 2024. The outcomes of these trials could have a significant impact on the future of the lawsuits. However, it’s more likely that settlement offers related to NEC baby formula cases will be made, bringing an end to the litigation for many families.