Microplastics Baby Bottles Lawsuit
Parents expect the baby bottles they purchase to help them nourish their children. Unfortunately, recent studies suggest that some bottles may release microplastics during feeding. This discovery raises serious concerns about infant health and has led to major lawsuits in Illinois and beyond.
If your family believes your children were exposed to microplastics in baby bottles, you likely feel overwhelmed and uncertain about what steps you can take next. Turn to the legal team at Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. for support. Our experienced product liability attorneys in Illinois can help you understand your options, pursue accountability, and seek compensation for the harm your family has suffered. Contact us to get started with a free consultation.
How Do Microplastics Lead to a Lawsuit in Illinois?
Parties involved in the design, manufacture, marketing, and sale of products have a legal duty to ensure those products are safe for their intended use. When a product marketed for infant care is found to release harmful substances, it may create grounds for legal action.
As a result, if baby bottles containing microplastics are shown to endanger children, Illinois parents may pursue lawsuits under product liability law. Claims may focus on holding parties accountable for manufacturing defects, design flaws, or failure to warn consumers about risks. The law enables families to seek accountability from manufacturers and distributors and hold them responsible for selling products that may compromise their babies’ health and safety.
Are There Microplastics in Baby Bottles?
Sadly, recent research indicates that plastic baby bottles can release significant amounts of microplastics when used to prepare infant formula. A study published in Nature Food found that baby bottles sold worldwide contribute to bottle-fed infants consuming more than 1.5 million particles of microplastics per day. Microplastics are tiny plastic particles formed as plastic degrades.
Polypropylene bottles, which dominate the global market, can shed millions of particles per liter when exposed to hot water and shaking.
While the health risks associated with exposure to microplastics remain uncertain, these findings raise concerns about babies’ exposure levels to harmful chemicals and have prompted lawsuits against baby bottle manufacturers.
What Health Risks Do Microplastics Pose to Infants?
Scientists are in agreement that more research is needed to understand the negative health effects of microplastics, particularly those concerning infants. A recent study suggests that while microplastics are widespread in the environment and can enter the body through various routes, including food, water, air, and even skin contact, their long-term effects remain uncertain.
However, early indications suggest these particles may accumulate in the body and contribute to adverse health effects. Reported risks include respiratory conditions such as asthma and lung disease, digestive issues like inflammatory bowel disease, and potential impacts on the gut microbiome. Laboratory studies have also linked microplastics to cell damage, DNA damage, reproductive issues, and inflammatory responses. These findings underscore the urgent need for continued investigation into how exposure to harmful plastics may affect infants’ growth and development, as well as the potential long-term health impact of microplastics.
Pending Litigation Against Philips North America LLC and Handi-Craft Company
Consumers have sued Philips North America and Handi-Craft Company, the parent company of Dr. Brown’s Baby, in separate lawsuits. Consumers allege the manufacturers misled them into thinking their products are free of harmful chemicals because they have BPA-free labels. Yet, the consumers claim that the bottles release toxic microplastics when heated.
The new lawsuits are class-action suits against the manufacturers, based on allegations that the company failed to inform consumers, parents, and caregivers that their bottles and sippy cups leach harmful microplastics when heated to high temperatures. Furthermore, they allege that the BPA-free labels give consumers a false sense of security, as the reasonable consumer interprets the label to mean it is guaranteed, beyond the minimum consumer safety expectation for baby products, not to contain harmful plastics.
In addition to seeking restitution, punitive damages, and penalties, the lawsuits seek that manufacturers be required to disclose to consumers the use of polypropylene on the products’ labels, modify them so they don’t, or discontinue the baby bottles and cups.
What Compensation Could Plaintiffs Receive?
Parents who pursue a microplastics baby bottles lawsuit may seek financial recovery for both the immediate and long-term effects of exposure to microplastics. Compensation in these claims aims to address economic as well as non-economic losses, including:
- Medical expenses for diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing care
- Costs of specialized pediatric care or developmental monitoring
- Expenses for therapies related to respiratory, digestive, or neurological conditions
- Future medical care tied to potential long-term health complications
- Emotional distress suffered by parents and their child
- Loss of quality of life for the infant due to health limitations
How Can Parents Protect Their Babies from Microplastics?
While lawsuits seek accountability from manufacturers and other parties involved in the distribution and sale of harmful baby bottles, many parents may also consider taking steps at home to reduce their babies’ exposure to harmful microplastics. Here are some suggestions to consider:
- Preparation methods may influence how many particles leach from plastic bottles. Minimize risks by sterilizing bottles in hot water, allowing them to cool completely, and then rinsing them several times with boiled water that has been cooled to room temperature.
- Prepare infant formula in glass containers before transferring it to plastic bottles.
- Avoid using microwaves to warm milk or formula, as uneven heating can cause plastics to release more particles.
- When possible, consider switching to glass baby bottles, which do not shed microplastics.
Although the long-term effects of microplastics remain under study, adopting safer preparation habits and choosing alternative materials when feasible may provide peace of mind while protecting infants from unnecessary exposure to harmful chemicals.
What Is the Timeline for the Microplastics Baby Bottles Lawsuit?
Pursuing product liability claims against manufacturers and other parties takes time, as legal battles involving large corporations can be highly complex. The baby bottle lawsuit process typically begins with an investigation into whether your child’s health issues may be connected to microplastic exposure. After filing your claim, your attorney and the defendants’ legal teams engage in discovery to gather evidence, review medical records, and consult scientific experts.
In some cases, the matter is resolved through settlement negotiations rather than in court. You may be able to agree to a settlement at any point in the process, but if the other parties don’t offer a fair settlement, your case may proceed to trial.
Illinois parents should also be mindful of the statute of limitations, which limits how long you have to bring a product liability claim. The deadline may differ depending on the unique circumstances, and acting quickly to seek legal representation offers you the best opportunity to preserve evidence and protect your family’s right to seek compensation.
Contact an Experienced Product Liability Attorney at Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C.
If you believe your baby’s plastic bottles may have exposed them to harmful microplastics, you may have a claim against the bottle’s manufacturer or other parties in the supply chain. You deserve skilled legal counsel that will support and guide you throughout the process of pursuing justice. The team at Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. has fought for Chicago-area families for over 40 years and recovered more than $2.5 billion for our deserving clients. We have obtained more than $1 million in compensation in more than 375 cases. Contact us today for a free consultation to share your story, learn more about your legal options, and discuss your possible next steps.
