A tragic case has been filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Chicago Division, involving a premature infant who suffered severe injuries after being fed cow's milk-based infant formula. On February 21, 2025, Kandice Carter, acting individually and as the parent and next friend of her minor child Rylen Edwards, initiated legal proceedings against Abbott Laboratories and Mead Johnson & Company, LLC. The lawsuit centers around allegations that these companies' products caused Baby Edwards to develop Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC), a life-threatening intestinal disease prevalent among premature infants.
The plaintiff's complaint details how Baby Edwards was born prematurely at The Woman’s Hospital of Texas on September 17, 2013. Shortly after birth, he was fed cow's milk-based products manufactured by the defendants. Subsequently, Baby Edwards developed NEC and endured significant medical challenges. Kandice Carter accuses Abbott Laboratories and Mead Johnson of negligence and strict liability due to their failure to adequately warn about the risks associated with their products for preterm infants. She asserts that these companies knowingly marketed their formulas as safe alternatives to breast milk despite substantial evidence linking them to NEC.
The complaint references numerous studies dating back to 1990 that highlight the dangers of feeding cow's milk-based formulas to premature infants. Research consistently shows a strong correlation between such products and increased rates of NEC compared to human milk or donor breast milk diets. Despite this body of evidence, the plaintiff alleges that Abbott Laboratories and Mead Johnson continued aggressive marketing campaigns targeting healthcare providers and parents without proper warnings about potential risks.
Kandice Carter seeks damages exceeding $75,000 for her son's medical expenses and other related costs. She is also pursuing punitive damages against both companies for their alleged willful misconduct in prioritizing profits over infant safety. The lawsuit demands accountability from Abbott Laboratories and Mead Johnson for their role in causing harm through defective product design, failure to warn consumers adequately, and negligent practices concerning preterm infant nutrition.
Representing Kandice Carter are attorneys from her legal team who have meticulously compiled evidence supporting claims against these major manufacturers within this complex litigation landscape involving product liability laws across multiple jurisdictions.
The case is presided over by judges from the Northern District of Illinois under Case ID: 1:25-cv-01829.