By Fadi Agour, J.D.
Families of premature infants who developed necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) after being fed cow–milk–based formula products like Similac and Enfamil continue to pursue justice in both state and federal courts. Recent developments highlight how this litigation, along with other high-profile mass torts, is reshaping the legal landscape in 2025.
NEC Baby Formula Cases Gain Momentum
In June 2025, an appellate court ruled that thousands of NEC baby formula lawsuits will remain in the state courts where they were filed, rejecting efforts to centralize them into a federal MDL. According to Reuters, plaintiffs argued that local courts better reflect the experiences of affected families, while manufacturers preferred consolidation for efficiency.
Meanwhile, U.S. District Judge Rebecca Pallmeyer, who oversees the federal Similac NEC MDL in Illinois, recently ordered a census of both filed and unfiled claims to gauge the full scope of potential liability. As reported by AboutLawsuits, the move is designed to streamline settlement talks and account for families who have yet to file.
Broader Context: Mass Torts in 2025
The NEC litigation is part of a wider wave of high-stakes product liability and toxic exposure cases unfolding this year:
- Depo-Provera Brain Tumor Claims – Pfizer faces mounting lawsuits alleging a link between its contraceptive injection and meningioma brain tumors. Two recent studies suggested users may face a dramatically increased risk (Washington Post).
- Paraquat Parkinson’s Cases – Settlement discussions are advancing between Syngenta and plaintiffs claiming the herbicide caused Parkinson’s disease. The New Lede recently reported signs of a potential nationwide resolution.
- Roundup Cancer Litigation – Bayer has added $13.7 billion to its reserves for Roundup cancer claims, underscoring the sheer scale of liability it faces. Thousands of non-Hodgkin lymphoma lawsuits remain active, with many being remanded back to state courts (New York Times).
- Talcum Powder Lawsuits – Johnson & Johnson continues to suffer jury defeats, including a recent $42 million verdict in Massachusetts, while plaintiffs rejected the company’s $8 billion settlement proposal (Chicago Tribune).
Why This Matters for Plaintiffs’ Firms
For law firms, these shifting developments show how case intake quality is more important than ever. NEC baby formula claims, in particular, require detailed screening to establish:
- Premature birth status
- Specific formula exposure (Similac, Enfamil, or others)
- Medical diagnosis of NEC
As courts push forward with both settlement negotiations and jury trials, firms that can rapidly identify compensable, medically-verified claims will be in the best position to deliver results for their clients.
The Best Case Leads Difference
At Best Case Leads, we understand that the cost per compensable case is what matters most. That’s why we:
- Conduct in-depth, attorney-style interviews with every lead.
- Offer third-party Smart Reviews for unbiased verification.
- Provide full medical confirmation when needed.
Our approach ensures that your firm receives high-quality NEC, Paraquat, Roundup, Talc, and Depo-Provera leadsthat meet strict intake criteria—so you can focus on litigating, not screening.
Ready to grow your docket with the highest quality mass tort leads?
Book a call with Best Case Leads today.