#United States #Chicago #Abbott Laboratories #Keller Postman #NEC

Keller Postman Wins $70 Million in Abbott Formula Case

In a groundbreaking decision, Keller Postman has secured a monumental jury verdict of $70 million for four infants who developed necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) after being fed Abbott's Similac Special Care formula. The ruling by a unanimous jury found that Abbott Laboratories was responsible for the defective design of their product and failed to provide adequate warnings about the associated risks of NEC. The negligence exhibited by the company was deemed a critical factor leading to the injuries sustained by these vulnerable infants.

Ben Whiting, a Senior Partner at Keller Postman, expressed heartfelt support for the families involved, stating, "The jury's verdicts on behalf of these four infants reinforce what Abbott has known and ignored for years: that their cow's milk-based formula contributes to NEC in premature infants, often with catastrophic and irrevocable results. Four families walked into that courtroom requesting justice, and today they received it. We are honored to have stood alongside them, and our pursuit of accountability is far from over."

Amelia Frenkel, a Partner at the firm, added that this verdict highlights a long-standing disregard by Abbott for the health of the most delicate infants, urging the company to recognize the imperative of prioritizing safety over profit. "This verdict should serve as a wake-up call to Abbott. The status quo can no longer persist. The safety of every preterm baby today and in the future must come first."

The cases were brought on behalf of four premature infants born in hospitals across the Chicago area, contributing to an extensive backlog of over 1,700 lawsuits filed against Abbott nationwide. This trial marks the first verdict against Abbott in Illinois state court regarding the dangers of its cow's milk-based formula, potentially paving the way for significant repercussions for the company, which already faces numerous allegations about the safety of its products.

Keller Postman's recent win builds upon its significant 2024 victory, where a jury ruled in favor of a $60 million verdict against Mead Johnson, marking the first time a manufacturer of cow's milk-based baby formula was held accountable for causing NEC in preterm infants. Together, these landmark cases send a potent message to manufacturers: they will be held responsible for knowingly marketing dangerous products to the most vulnerable in our society.

The legal team at Keller Postman comprises skilled attorneys Ben Whiting, Amelia Frenkel, Jamie Price, and Laura Shannon, alongside the Olson Grimsley trial team, including Sean Grimsley, Kenzo Kawanabe, Abigail Hinchcliff, and Samara Hoose. This collaborative effort underscores the law firm’s commitment to pursuing equitable compensation for injured parties nationwide.

Keller Postman is representing numerous families across the United States, having filed cases in states such as Illinois, California, Florida, Pennsylvania, and Missouri. The firm is dedicated to vigorous litigation to ensure that families receive just compensation and that parents receive sufficient information regarding safer alternatives to Abbott's products, including breast milk and donor milk-based formulas for preterm infants.

As Keller Postman continues its fight for families affected by NEC, it remains steadfast in its commitment to advocating for the health and safety of infants nationwide. This pivotal verdict not only serves as a milestone in the ongoing litigation against Abbott but also emphasizes the urgent need for accountability in the manufacturing and marketing of infant nutrition products.