Missouri jury orders Abbott to pay USD495M over premature infant formula lawsuit
Date
7/29/2024 5:35:33 AM
(MENAFN) In a significant legal decision, a jury in St. Louis, Missouri, has ordered the pharmaceutical company Abbott to pay USD495 million in damages after finding that its formula for premature infants caused a severe intestinal disease in a child. This verdict, announced on Friday, is part of a broader series of lawsuits against Abbott alleging that its premature baby formula increases the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis, a serious condition affecting the intestines of newborns.
The lawsuit was brought by Margo Gale, whose infant daughter developed necrotizing enterocolitis in 2021 after being fed Abbott's Similac formula while in neonatal intensive care. According to local reports, Gale claimed that Abbott failed to warn of the risks associated with their cow's milk formula, which she argues contributed to her daughter's condition. Although the baby survived, the condition can be fatal in up to 50 percent of cases involving premature infants, leaving the child with long-term effects.
The jury's verdict includes USD95 million in compensatory damages and an additional USD400 million in punitive damages. Abbott, which is facing several similar lawsuits, has expressed strong disagreement with the verdict. Company spokesperson Scott Stoffel stated that they believe the case is a tragedy but maintain that they are not responsible for the outcome. The ruling marks a significant moment in ongoing legal battles concerning the safety of infant formulas produced by the company.
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