If your child develops NEC due to formula feeding, the formula manufacturers can be held responsible for harming your child. Several studies indicate that premature babies fed cowâs milk-based formulas are more prone to necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Cowâs milk-based baby formulas are the most popular formula in the current market, accounting for around 80% of the formulas in the US market.
There isnât concrete evidence to show the exact cause of NEC. However, several studies show that children given cowâs milk-based formulas, such as Similac or Enfamil, have a higher chance of developing NEC than babies given breast milk. A US Surgeon General claimed that feeding premature infants baby formulas was linked to higher cases of NEC.
Itâs possible to file product liability or medical malpractice lawsuits against the manufacturers or health practitioners who approved the feeding. Such cases need measurable harm, and itâd be best to contact an NEC lawyer to claim compensation successfully. This post will shed light on five tips you can apply to find the right attorney to handle your NEC baby formula lawsuit. But first, letâs discuss what NEC is in infants.
What is NEC?
Typically, the digestive system comprises many bacteria that live inside the intestines and help with digestion. These bacteria are referred to as ânormal flora.â If they are absent, digestion of food and absorption of nutrients would be more complicated, if not impossible.
In an NEC infant, normal flora and harmful bacteria damage the colon, resulting in a perforation. This frequently extends to the bowelâs sides, and the contents could leak into the infantâs abdomen. Consequently, the bacteria enter the blood of the premature baby, causing toxicity that results in an infection. Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) is linked to many health conditions, some of which are life-threatening.
5 Tips for Finding an NEC Attorney
Try various attorneys
Personal injury and medical malpractice are specialized laws requiring a high experience level. Suppose your baby suffered NEC due to cowâs milk-based formulas. When you decide to hire the services of an NEC attorney, it can be pretty tempting to hire the first attorney you find and quickly solve the case. However, itâs best to assess different attorneys.
You may need to contact several legal firms to determine your best option. Fortunately, many law firms offer initial consolations free of charge. This means you can try different firms without worrying about committing instantly.
Itâll help maximize online resources, including the National Bar Association, to find the right NEC attorney for your case in your area. Your insurance provider can also provide recommendations for renowned NEC attorneys.
Prioritize experience in the field
Another crucial tip when selecting an NEC attorney to handle your legal lawsuit is to consider their experience dealing in the sector. Cases involving medical malpractice differ from personal injury claims. These cases involve plenty of science to prove that the baby formula caused the condition.
In this case, your attorney will prove your healthcare provider acted unreasonably as compared to what the average health practitioner would have done in the same situation. Your NEC attorney will work collaboratively with medical practitioners and other professionals to show the relationship between baby formulas and NEC.
Therefore, itâll help to have the best attorney with plenty of experience handling similar cases.
Ask questions to understand the attorney.
Once you find a variety of NEC lawyers to represent your legal lawsuit, youâll want to ask them various questions to understand them better. Here are some questions you should consider asking the attorney.
¡ How long have you practiced law?
¡ How many NEC lawsuits have you taken to trial?
¡ What do you think about product liability compensation claims, especially failure-to-warn lawsuits?
¡ Have you ever sued formula manufacturers like Abbott Laboratories or Mead-Johnson?
You want the best NEC attorney possible to represent your lawsuit and get the compensation your child deserves. Therefore, ask plenty of questions to make an informed decision on who will represent you.
Find a financially reliable attorney.
Due to their nature, NEC cases tend to be quite costly to execute. To prove the damages sustained by your baby, your attorney may need the expensive services of a neurologist, economist, an orthopedic specialist, etc. Since most legal firms operate on a contingency basis, your NEC attorney ought to be well-financed and cover the critical services required to prove your compensation claim.
Ensure the NEC attorney is dedicated to your cause
You can get the best product liability or medical malpractice attorney, but itâd all be worthless if they donât believe in defending your rights. You should find an NEC attorney committed to your lawsuit to get the best compensation or settlement. Find a professional attorney who will protect your interests and keep you updated on the progress of your case.
The Bottom Line
The legal process can be pretty excruciating, and itâs not easy to analyze your caseâs merits without the services of an attorney. Suppose your premature baby suffered from NEC because it was fed cowâs milk-based baby formula or milk fortifier goods. In that case, you should speak to an experienced attorney to help you understand your rights and privileges in the case.
Follow the tips in this post to get the best NEC attorney to handle your lawsuit. One of the best measures of an attorneyâs success is what their past clients â especially those with similar problems as you â have to say about them.
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