A jury in Missouri in the United States has concluded that a special infant formula for premature infants from the company Abbott Laboratories is the explanation why an infant girl in Illinois has developed a serious intestinal disease. This is what the state court in the city of St. Louis, Missouri, ruled last Friday.

As a result, Abbott is ordered to pay USD 95 million – approx. DKK 653 million – in compensation to the girl’s mother, as well as an additional USD 400 million – equivalent to DKK 2.5 billion – in punitive damages.

In a statement, Abbott Laboratories underscores that the company strongly denies the allegation, reiterating that it will appeal the verdict and that it will appeal the verdict, according to various American media. As a result of the ruling, the company stock immediately fell 5 percent.

Competitor Reckitt/Mead Johnson is involved in similar lawsuits, according to Seeking Alpha (investing community).

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Photo: Colourbox