NEC and Bacterial Infection from Klebsiella, E. coli and other Bacteria
Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a life-threatening condition characterized by inflammation and death of intestinal tissue, can be caused by bacteria, including Klebsiella, Escherichia coli (E. coli), Clostridium dificile (C. dificile) and Enterobacter. Severe cases of NEC cause significant intestinal necrosis, perforation of the intestine, septic shock and death. In some cases, including cases we are handling, the baby can go from having mild NEC symptoms to death within a day.
Common symptoms of NEC include abdominal distension, abdominal tenderness, red or blue color in the belly, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody stools, temperature instability, lethargy, slow heart rate and breathing difficulties.
There are other, less common symptoms of NEC. For example, kidney problems caused by a bacteria that can lead to NEC.
Our food safety attorneys have been retained by a number of families of premature infants who developed necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) after being fed milk thickened with Simply Thick. Attorneys Fred Pritzker, Eric Hageman and David Szerlag, our lead attorneys for these cases, are investigating whether these cases of NEC where caused by bacterial contamination from Klebsiella, E. coli, C. difficile, Enterobacter, Salmonella or another pathogen. At this time, there is not a confirmed link between SimplyThick and NEC in premature infants, nor is there evidence of bacterial contamination. Our attorneys are looking at every possibility in an effort to determine if there is a link between Simply Thick and NEC. Contact our attorneys if your baby developed NEC after being fed a Simply Thick product. We will determine whether the product was part of the June 4, 2011 Simply Thick recall. If recalled Simply Thick manufactured by Thermo Pac, LLC is involved in your infant’s case of NEC, Thermo Pac, LLC and Simply Thick, LLC should both be held accountable.
Simply Thick: Recall Lawsuit Attorneys Investigating NEC Cases for Families
Our attorneys are investigating several cases of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in infants who were fed Simply Thick. NEC is a life-threatening condition characterized by inflammation and death of intestinal tissue. We are investigating both personal injury and wrongful death claims.
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The FDA has issued a warning to parents, caregivers and health care providers not to not to feed Simply Thick to infants born before 37 weeks. The warning was prompted by 15 cases of NEC involving premature infants who were fed Simply Thick. FDA has reports of two infants dying from NEC. Our attorneys are investigating additional death cases.
Simply Thick LLC, the manufacturer of Simply Thick has issued a Simply Thick recall, but it is not yet clear whether the recall is connected to the cases of NEC. Our attorneys are investigating.
NEC is a risk for premature babies, but it most often occurs in babies within the hospital early in their premature course. In the SimplyThick-associated NEC cases, some of the babies became ill after they were discharged from the hospital with instructions to mix Simply Thick with mothers’ breast milk or infant formula products.
What is Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC)?
NEC is a life-threatening condition characterized by inflammation and death of intestinal tissue.
NEC symptoms include the following:
- green vomit
- diarrhea or bloody stools
- swollen belly (abdomen)
- red or blue color in the belly
- tiredness (lethargy)
- body temperature issues
- breathing problems
- slow heart rate.
Severe cases of NEC can result in the following:
- A segment of intestine may need to be removed. If the intestine cannot be sewn back together, the surgeon will bring an area of the intestine to an opening on the abdomen (called an ostomy).
- Scarring and narrowing of the bowel may cause future intestinal obstruction or blockage.
- The intestine may not be able to absorb nutrients normally. This is called malabsorption.
- The baby may die.
Our attorneys hold companies accountable for injury and death caused by dangerous and defective products. We have won millions for our clients, including over $10,000,000 for clients who were injured by another over-the-counter medical product.
Attorneys Fred Pritzker and David Szerlag are managing attorneys for our Simply Thick cases. Fred has gained a national reputation in the area of product liability and has been interviewed and quoted by The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Lawyers USA and others. He is listed in the current edition of The Best Lawyers in America. David served on the multidistrict litigation (MDL) panel for recall lawsuits involving another medical product. His efforts resulted in compensation for dozens of people throughout the United States. MDL is like a class action lawsuit, but it only involves pretrial procedures.
Keywords: Simply Thick, recall lawsuit attorneys, necrotizing colitis, NEC, ostomy, Simply Thick lawsuit, bowel surgery.
Simply Thick Lawsuit: Free Consultation with Attorney
Attorneys Fred Pritzker and David Szerlag of our office are leading our investigation of Simply Thick, a thickening product. FDA has received 15 reports of Simply Thick causing necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in premature infants. Fred and David recently won over $20,000,000 for our clients who were injured by an unrelated over-the-counter medical product.
Free consultation regarding a Simply Thick lawsuit >>>
What are the Facts of This Simply Thick Investigation?
FDA first learned of adverse events possibly linked to the product on May 13, 2011. To date, FDA is aware of 15 cases of NEC, including two deaths, involving premature infants who were fed Simply Thick for varying amounts of time. The product was mixed with mothers’ breast milk or infant formula products.
Illnesses have been reported from at least four different medical centers around the country. The illnesses of which FDA is aware involve premature infants who became sick over the past six months. Simply Thick was added to the feeding regimen of those infants who later developed NEC to help with swallowing difficulties stemming from complications of premature birth.
The current situation is unusual because necrotizing enterocolitis most often occurs in babies within the hospital early in their premature course. But among the ill babies of which FDA is aware, some had been discharged from the hospital to home on a feeding regimen that included SimplyThick and then fell ill at home.
What is Necrotizing Enterocolitis?
Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is the death of intestinal (bowel) tissue. It occurs when the lining of the intestinal wall dies and the tissue falls off.
In severe cases, one or more of the following may result:
- A segment of intestine (bowel) may need to be removed. If the intestine cannot be sewn back together, the surgeon will bring an area of the intestine or bowel to an opening on the abdomen (called an ostomy).
- Scarring and narrowing of the bowel may cause future intestinal obstruction or blockage.
- The intestine may not be able to absorb nutrients normally. This is called malabsorption.
- The baby may die. In cases where a medical product like Simply Thick caused the NEC, the family has a wrongful death claim against the manufacturer. Our experience is that parents sue manufacturers to hold them accountable.
Contact our law firm day or night regarding a Simply Thick lawsuit and Attorney Fred Pritzker, Attorney David Szerlag or another attorney at our firm will get back to you as soon as possible. David served on the multidistrict litigation (MDL) panel for recall lawsuits involving a medical product that caused kidney failure and wrongful death. He won over $20,000,000 for our clients and had a hand in winning millions more for injured people throughout the United States. MDL is like a class action lawsuit, but it only involves pretrial procedures. Our attorneys practice exclusively in the areas of personal injury and wrongful death.
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SimplyThick Lawsuit
Our attorneys are investigating SimplyThick, a product associated with 15 reports of babies developing necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a life-threatening condition characterized by inflammation and death of intestinal tissue. Two of the babies died. Our lead attorneys for these cases are Fred Pritzker and David Szerlag, who recently won over $20,000,000 for people injured by an unrelated defective medical product.
Free consultation about a SimplyThick lawsuit >>>
In all of the cases, the babies who developed NEC were premature infants. The product was mixed with mother’s breast milk or infant formula as a thickening agent for management of swallowing disorders. Illnesses have been reported from at least four different medical centers around the country. Attorney David Szerlag and our team of product liability attorneys have a national product liability litigation practice.
SimplyThick is sold in packets of individual servings and in 64-ounce dispenser bottles. The product can be purchased from distributors and local pharmacies throughout the United States. Do not feed this product to your child.
What are the Symptoms of Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC)?
NEC is a life-threatening condition characterized by inflammation and death of intestinal tissue. The condition is most often diagnosed in babies who are born prematurely.
Signs and symptoms of NEC include appearance of a bloated abdominal area, appearance of illness, feeding intolerance, greenish-tinged (bile) vomiting and bloody stools.
Who is at Risk?
Premature infants currently receiving hospital care and premature infants discharged from the hospital within the past 30 days should not be fed SimplyThick.
What Do Parents, Care Givers and Health care Providers Need To Do?
Do not feed SimplyThick to premature infants.
Parents and caregivers who have questions or concerns related to the use of the product and/or who have medical concerns should contact their health care provider.
Contact our law firm day or night regarding a Simply Thick lawsuit and Fred, David or another attorney will get back to you as soon as possible. David served on the multidistrict litigation (MDL) panel for recall lawsuits involving a medical product that caused kidney failure and wrongful death. He won over $20,000,000 for our clients and had a hand in winning millions more for injured people throughout the United States. MDL is like a class action lawsuit, but it only involves pretrial procedures.
