Active LitigationMDL 3026
Toxic Baby Formula NEC Lawsuit Facts
TorHoerman Law is actively accepting claims for the Toxic Baby Formula NEC Lawsuit.
Active Litigation·MDL 3026
TorHoerman Law is actively accepting claims for the Toxic Baby Formula NEC Lawsuit.
TorHoerman Law obtained a landmark $495 million verdict against Abbott Laboratories following a lawsuit brought by the Gill family concerning infant formula for premature babies.
The case, Margo Gill vs. Abbott Laboratories, centered on claims that Abbott’s formula increased the risk for necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).
NEC is a serious gastrointestinal disease that primarily affects premature infants, leading to inflammation and bacterial infection in the intestines.
The disease can cause the death of intestinal tissue and, in severe cases, can be life-threatening.
TorHoerman Law represented Margo Gill and her daughter in the trial against Abbott Laboratories, with attorney Jake Plattenberger arguing that Abbott was aware of the risks but failed to provide adequate warnings or instructions to prevent harm.

Margo is the mother of Robynn, a young girl who tragically developed necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) after being given Abbott’s baby formula as a premature infant.
Internal documents from Abbott, revealed in the trial, showed the company knew as early as 2009 that NEC has a significant formula feeding component.
Despite having knowledge that premature babies are at an increased risk of developing NEC when given cow’s milk formula, Abbott did not provide parents of NICU babies any information regarding the risk, incidence, or severity of NEC for babies on formula versus human milk.
The company admitted this in the trial.
Robynn, now almost three years old, had approximately 75 percent of her intestine removed following her NEC diagnosis, and suffered brain damage.
She will need intensive care for the rest of her life, and this verdict will provide the necessary financial support to cover her extensive medical and care needs.
On July 26, 2024, the jury delivered its verdict, holding Abbott accountable and liable to pay compensatory damages of $95 million and punitive damages of $400 million.
Attorney Tor Hoerman said:
“Justice was served for Margo Gill and her daughter Robynn, who suffered severe, irreversible brain damage due to Abbott’s misconduct… Abbott has known for years that its cow’s milk-based formula significantly increases the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in premature babies, and families like the Gills had their lives changed forever due to the company’s refusal to warn families and physicians.”
Jake Plattenberger served as lead trial counsel along with Tor Hoerman, aided by the counsel of many other attorneys and experts across the bar.
TorHoerman Law represents more than 800 families that have been devastated by NEC due to misconduct of formula manufacturers, and we are committed to obtaining justice for all of them.
NEC baby formula lawsuits have produced different outcomes in state and federal courts.
The Gill case resulted in a $495 million Missouri jury verdict against Abbott Laboratories in July 2024. Abbott later reached an agreement resolving the Gill case in August 2026 as part of a broader settlement involving approximately 2,000 additional NEC claims.
A separate Illinois jury awarded $60 million against Mead Johnson in 2024, but the Illinois Appellate Court reversed that judgment in June 2026 and returned the case to the trial court for further proceedings.
In August 2026, the first federal NEC bellwether case to reach a jury resulted in a defense verdict for Mead Johnson. Other federal cases involving Abbott were resolved on summary judgment before reaching a jury.
These results reflect the case-specific nature of NEC litigation, with outcomes depending on the evidence, applicable law, medical history, feeding records, and allegations presented in each lawsuit.
TorHoerman Law is committed to advocating for the rights of individuals harmed by negligent corporate practices, ensuring that justice is served and that such incidents are prevented in the future.
Our NEC Lawyers are still accepting new cases for the mass tort litigation against major infant formula manufacturers.
Parents of children who developed necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) after being fed cow’s milk-based formula may be eligible to take legal action against manufacturers.

Contact our law firm for a free consultation to see if you qualify for filing a Toxic Baby Formula NEC Lawsuit.
You can also use the chatbot on this page for an instant case evaluation.
TorHoerman Law obtained a landmark $495 million verdict against Abbott Laboratories in the Margo Gill vs. Abbott Laboratories trial.
The jury awarded $95 million in compensatory damages and $400 million in punitive damages to Margo Gill and her daughter Robynn.
Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a severe gastrointestinal disease primarily affecting premature infants. It causes inflammation and bacterial infection in the intestines, which can lead to tissue death and perforation of the intestinal walls.
NEC can result in severe complications such as infection, sepsis, and potentially fatal outcomes.
Premature infants are particularly vulnerable due to their underdeveloped immune systems and intestines.
The NEC Baby Formula Lawsuit is a mass tort lawsuit filed against Abbott Laboratories and Mead Johnson & Company.
Plaintiffs, typically mothers of premature infants, are claiming that cow’s milk-based infant formula made by Abbott and Mead Johnson increases the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis, and the companies failed to warn consumers and healthcare providers about the increased risk of NEC.
Bellwether trial cases are representative lawsuits chosen from a larger group of similar cases to be tried first, helping to predict outcomes and guide settlement negotiations in the broader litigation.
Though there is a NEC Multidistrict Litigation (MDL) in the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, the most recent NEC trials have been from cases outside the consolidated litigation and in state courts.
NEC bellwether trials selected from the MDL will proceed in early 2025.
The substantial awards in the bellwether trials against Abbott Laboratories and Mead Johnson set a powerful precedent for future NEC-related lawsuits.
TorHoerman Law is still accepting new cases for the mass-tort litigation against major infant formula manufacturers.
Parents of children who developed necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) after being fed cow’s milk-based formula may be eligible to take legal action.
Contact TorHoerman Law using the chat on this page for a free consultation.

Tor Hoerman has represented injured individuals for more than 30 years, with experience spanning individual personal injury cases and nationwide mass tort litigation. His work includes car accidents, catastrophic injuries, product liability claims, and other serious injury cases. Tor has served in court-appointed leadership roles in national litigation and tried cases involving major corporate defendants.
TorHoerman Law’s legal content is researched and written by our editorial team and attorneys for legal accuracy, clarity, and relevance. We rely on statutes, court records, government publications, medical research, and other authoritative sources when applicable. This page provides general legal information and does not constitute legal advice.
TorHoerman Law reviews its legal content for factual accuracy, current information, and relevant legal context before publication and as material developments occur. This article is provided for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. For guidance about a specific case, contact TorHoerman Law.
You can learn more about this topic by visiting any of our Toxic Baby Formula NEC Lawsuit pages listed below:
A serious injury can change your life.

TorHoerman Law represents people whose lives have been disrupted by serious injuries, unsafe products, and negligence. Our attorneys handle individual personal injury cases as well as national mass tort lawsuits involving major corporations.
Founded in 2009, our legal team brings more than 100 years of combined experience handling serious injury and complex civil litigation.
Do you believe you’re entitled to compensation?
Use our Instant Case Evaluator to find out in as little as 60 seconds!

In this case, we obtained a verdict of $495 Million for our client’s child who was diagnosed with Necrotizing Enterocolitis after consuming baby formula manufactured by Abbott Laboratories.

In this case, we were able to successfully recover $20 Million for our client after they suffered a Toxic Tort Injury due to chemical exposure.

In this case, we were able to successfully recover $103.8 Million for our client after they suffered a COX-2 Inhibitors Injury.

In this case, we were able to successfully recover $4 Million for our client after they suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury while at daycare.

In this case, we were able to successfully recover $2.8 Million for our client after they suffered an injury due to a Defective Heart Device.
A serious injury can change your life.