Pensacola law firm wants recalled baby formula lawsuits to be heard by Florida judge - WEAR
PENSACOLA, Fla. -- A Pensacola law firm is trying to get federal lawsuits over baby formula consolidated and moved to Florida.
The law firm wants all the cases to be heard by one judge in Miami.
If you're seeing a shortage of baby formula here's one reason why. There was recall.
Lawsuits claim a baby formula produced in Michigan by Abbott Nutrition is contaminated.
Nearly 20 lawsuits have been filed alleging certain powdered baby formulas produced by the company caused two baby deaths and several infections to infants.
Pensacola mother Laura O'Brien is frustrated and a bit scared. She has a seven month old beautiful baby girl named Ireland.
O'Brien is having a very hard time finding baby formula. Shelves are mostly empty and some stores have limits on how much you can buy.
"It's hard to find exactly what you need they may not have it," O'Brien said. "And you run out and it gets a little scary."
The shortage of baby formula starts with an FDA investigation into manufacturer Abbott Nutrition.
Back in February, the FDA released reports documenting the presence of a potentially lethal bacteria called Cronobacter at Abbott Nutrition's Sturgis Michigan plant.
The company recalled and halted production on certain lots of their baby formula including Similac, Alimentum, and Elecare.
Pensacola law firm Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis, and Overholtz represents several plaintiffs in a few of those lawsuits. None of them are from Northwest Florida.
The law firm has filed a petition asking all existing or future lawsuits be heard by Miami Judge Beth Bloom, who is currently trying one of those cases.
"This judge also happens to be knowledgeable and experienced," Sam Geisler, attorney said.
Channel 3 also spoke with Santa Rosa County pediatrician Dr. Teresa Mahaffee. She says she has never seen a shortage of baby formula.
"My medical opinion is this is inexcusable," Dr. Mahafee said.
Dr. Mahaffee says all her patients are asking her what to do because they can't find their baby formula. She says parents have no choice to but to switch formulas, but asks that you check with pediatricians first.
"There are so many different types out there right now," Dr. Mahaffee said. "They are very specialized and they're for different digestive problems for kids."
Abbott Nutrition issued Channel 3 a statement that we have provided below:
Millions of parents rely on our formula to feed their babies. And we know that our recent recall caused additional stress and anxiety in an already challenging situation of a global supply shortage. We are working hard to help moms, dads and caregivers get the high-quality nutrition they need for their babies. Abbott is working closely with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to restart operations at the Sturgis, Mich., facility. We continue to make progress on corrective actions and will be implementing additional actions as we work toward addressing items related to the recent recall. In the meantime, we are working to increase the supply of infant formula by prioritizing infant formula production at our facilities that provide product to the U.S. market.
source: https://weartv.com/news/local/pensacola-law-firm-wants-recalled-baby-formula-lawsuits-be-heard-by-florida-judge
Your content is great. However, if any of the content contained herein violates any rights of yours, including those of copyright, please contact us immediately by e-mail at media[@]kissrpr.com.