A tragic case has emerged from the Northern District of Illinois, where a grieving father has filed a lawsuit against two major infant formula manufacturers. Spyros Antonopoulos is suing Abbott Laboratories and Mead Johnson & Company, LLC, alleging that their cow's milk-based infant formulas caused the death of his premature son, Dimitrios Antonopoulos. The complaint was filed on April 4, 2025, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.
The heart-wrenching case centers around Dimitrios Antonopoulos, who was born prematurely at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, New York, on October 1, 2013. Tragically, after being fed cow's milk-based products manufactured by Abbott Laboratories and Mead Johnson Nutrition Company while in the hospital's care, Dimitrios developed necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a severe intestinal disease that can lead to death. The plaintiff claims that these companies intentionally misrepresented their products as safe alternatives to breast milk despite knowing the risks associated with feeding preterm infants cow’s milk-based formulas.
Spyros Antonopoulos alleges that both Abbott and Mead Johnson were negligent in designing, manufacturing, and marketing their products without adequate warnings about the risks of NEC. He accuses them of failing to inform healthcare providers and parents about safer alternatives derived from human milk. "The defendants' conduct was intentional and wanton," reads part of the complaint. The lawsuit highlights several studies dating back decades that have shown a link between cow’s milk-based formulas and increased rates of NEC in premature infants. Despite this evidence, it is alleged that these companies continued aggressive marketing campaigns targeting vulnerable families and healthcare providers.
The plaintiff seeks damages exceeding $75,000 for medical expenses incurred due to Dimitrios’s illness and subsequent death. Additionally, he demands punitive damages against both companies for their alleged reckless disregard for infant safety. This legal action not only aims to hold these corporations accountable but also raises broader questions about corporate responsibility in the baby formula industry.
Representing Spyros Antonopoulos are attorneys whose names are not specified in the document. The case is presided over by judges from the Northern District of Illinois under Case ID: 1:25-cv-03626.