A Memphis mother has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the leading infant formula brand, alleging that the product caused her baby’s death.
Nakia Harris claims that Enfamil, made by Abbott Laboratories, did not disclose certain ingredients that led to her premature son Ja Stevens developing a fatal intestinal disease.
According to the 39-page lawsuit, Harris asserts that her son’s death could have been prevented if Abbott Laboratories had warned about the risks associated with cow’s milk-based formulas for premature infants.
Harris is suing Abbott Laboratories and Mead Johnson & Company LLC, alleging that they failed to provide adequate warnings about the dangers of their products in their labels, websites, and marketing materials.
The lawsuit states that the failure to disclose the increased risk of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a severe intestinal condition in premature babies fed cow’s milk-based products, contributed to Stevens’ death.
Ja Stevens was born prematurely at Saint Francis Hospital on April 12, 2023, and was transferred to Regional One Health’s NICU, where he was fed Enfamil milk-based products. Shortly after, he was diagnosed with NEC and subsequently moved to Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, where he passed away.
Action News 5 contacted local hospitals to inquire about their use of milk-based formulas for premature infants. Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital confirmed that Stevens did not receive formula during his stay.
In light of her son’s death, Harris is seeking compensation through the lawsuit.
