Litigation Update
NEC Baby Formula Lawsuit Update — June 2026
A monthly snapshot of MDL 3026, bellwether trial dates, and the latest jury verdicts in the Similac and Enfamil litigation.
Latest Update Summary
As of June 2026, there are 797 active cases in MDL 3026, the federal multidistrict litigation pending before Judge Rebecca Pallmeyer in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. The MDL continues to grow each month as new families come forward, and discovery in the next wave of bellwether cases is now substantially complete.
The first federal bellwether trial begins July 6, 2026 — Inman v. Mead Johnson, an Enfamil wrongful death case. The second federal bellwether begins August 10, 2026, a Similac permanent-injury case. These verdicts will heavily influence settlement negotiations for every remaining family in the MDL.
Verdict Timeline
- March 2024$60M — IllinoisWatson v. Mead Johnson
- July 2024$495M — MissouriAffirmed on appeal May 2026
- December 2025$32M — ConnecticutJury verdict
- April 2026$70M — Cook County, ILJury verdict
What the July 6 and August 10 Trials Mean for Pennsylvania Families
Bellwether verdicts are not binding on other cases, but they set the tone for settlement value. A strong plaintiff verdict in Inman would dramatically increase pressure on Mead Johnson to begin global settlement talks for Enfamil claims. The August 10 Similac trial does the same for Abbott. Pennsylvania families with qualifying claims should be filed and in the MDL before any global settlement framework is announced.
The two-year Pennsylvania statute of limitations applies regardless of MDL progress. Families considering a claim should not wait for the bellwether results to make contact — use the qualification checker or read the Pennsylvania guide for next steps.
MDL Status
- MDL Number
- MDL 3026
- Active Cases
- 797
- Judge
- Hon. Rebecca Pallmeyer
- Next Trial
- July 6, 2026
U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is an NEC lawsuit worth in Pennsylvania?+
Recent jury verdicts include $495 million in Missouri (affirmed on appeal in May 2026), $70 million in Cook County (April 2026), and $32 million in Connecticut. Individual settlements are currently projected between $50,000 and $500,000 or more, depending on the severity of injury, surgical history, and long-term complications.
Do I qualify for the NEC baby formula lawsuit?+
You may qualify if your baby was born premature (before 37 weeks), was fed Similac Special Care or Enfamil Premature formula in the NICU, was diagnosed with NEC by a surgeon or radiologist, and suffered surgery, permanent injury, or death as a result.
What is the difference between the MDL and state court NEC cases?+
MDL 3026, before Judge Rebecca Pallmeyer in the Northern District of Illinois, consolidates federal NEC cases for pretrial proceedings — currently 797 active cases. State court cases proceed independently and have produced the largest verdicts to date, including the $495M Missouri verdict and $70M Cook County verdict.
Free Case Review — Pennsylvania Families
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