Abbott Laboratories Faces $95 Million Verdict over Dangerous Infant Formula

A jury has ordered Abbott Laboratories to pay $95 million in compensatory damages after finding that its formula for premature infants caused a dangerous bowel disease in an Illinois girl. The verdict marks the first of many similar claims against the company. The jury will also consider punitive damages.

A jury on Friday found that Abbott Laboratories' specialized formula for premature infants caused an Illinois girl to develop a dangerous bowel disease, ordering the healthcare company to pay $95 million in compensatory damages. The verdict in St. Louis, Missouri state court is the first trial against the company out of hundreds of similar claims pending in courts across the country.

Before the jury was sent to consider punitive damages, Abbott attorney James Hurst argued that the verdict could limit doctors' options for feeding preterm infants. Hurst stated, "This is a gut punch. It is as hard as it gets."

Illinois resident Margo Gill, who brought the case, claimed the company failed to warn that its formula could cause necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in premature babies. Gill's child suffered irreversible neurological damage and will require long-term care. Abbott's lawyers contended that the injuries were caused by birth trauma. Close to 1,000 lawsuits are ongoing against Abbott and other formula makers.

(With inputs from agencies.)