$70 Million Verdict Against Abbott

A Cook County jury in Chicago returned a $70 million verdict against Abbott Laboratories on April 10, 2026, in a consolidated case involving four families whose premature infants developed necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a serious and potentially fatal intestinal disease.

The jury found that Abbott’s cow’s-milk-based infant formula contributed to the infants’ injuries and that the company failed to adequately warn of the associated risks.

All four premature infants developed necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), but they survived and continue to live with ongoing health complications, with several requiring surgery.

The jury awarded approximately $53 million in compensatory damages and $17 million in punitive damages, reflecting both the harm suffered and the jury’s findings regarding the company’s conduct.

Plaintiffs argued that Abbott knew of the potential risks but did not provide sufficient warnings to healthcare providers or parents, while the company has denied causation and maintains that its products are safe and medically necessary when breast milk is unavailable. Abbott has indicated it plans to appeal the verdict.

The case is part of a broader wave of litigation nationwide alleging that certain preterm infant formulas increase the risk of NEC in premature babies.