USA: Abbot Penalized $500 Million By Court For Hiding Risk Associated With Infant Formula

In a major win for the affected woman, whose daughter suffered from brain damage, the US court has imposed a fine of $500 Million on Abbot Laboratories for deliberately hiding the risks associated with its premature infant formula.

On Friday, Jurors of the state court of St. Louis gave $95 million to an affected family as compensation.

In addition, the plaintiff’s lawyer Tor Hoerman also reveals, that the court awarded $400 million in punitive charges.

Meanwhile reacting to this verdict, Abbot spokesperson declared, that the company ‘strongly disagrees’ with the judgement. They also highlighted that the decision isn’t unanimous.

Issuing an emailed statement, the company said, ‘We will pursue all avenues to have the erroneous decision overturned.’

Why Abbot Is Being Asked To Pay Fine?

Recently, a case was presented in front the US Court. This case was brought on the behalf of premature baby girl who contracted necrotizing enterocolitis, or NEC, after it was fed company’s cow-milk based special formula (Abbott’s Similac Special Care 24). As a result, the baby allegedly suffered from Brain damage.

However, the trial was initiated after a month, when 1,000 such allegations were made against Abbot.

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After winning the case, Hoerman law firm issued a statement saying, ‘Justice was served for Margo Gill and her daughter Robynn, who suffered severe, irreversible brain damage due to Abbott’s misconduct.’

Notably at the start of the trial, Lawyer claimed that Abbot didn’t warn about NEC risks in its product label. Moreover, the company didn’t even inform that due to formula’s consumption, children can potentially face brain damage or death.

What Was Abbot’s Defense?

Arguing on company’s behalf, the defense lawyer asserted that the formula didn’t cause NEC disease. The Baby was already suffering from pre-existing diseases.

The Defense lawyer in a statement also questioned the link between infant formula and NEC saying ‘There is no scientific evidence showing Abbott’s preterm infant products cause or contribute to causing NEC.’

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Furthermore, it also asserted that specialized formulas or fortifiers are a part of standard care given by medical community. Besides Mother’s milk and donor’s human milk, the formula is the sole source to feed the premature baby.