Nearly 50 lawsuits allege cow’s milk-based infant formula has killed or sickened premature babies, even after one of the primary defendants, Abbott Laboratories, has accused some plaintiff firms of filing sham cases.

For the past two years, lawsuits over infant formula have targeted Abbott Laboratories, maker of the Similac brand, and Enfamil manufacturer Mead Johnson. The lawsuits allege both companies made false statements about the safety of their cow’s milk-based infant formula, which studies have found caused a gastrointestinal inflammation called necrotizing enterocolitis, or NEC, in premature babies.

Travis Lenkner, with Keller Lenkner. (Courtesy photo)