Jury Deliberating in Cook County Case Over Abbott Laboratories' Formula for Premature Babies

Four babies developed dangerous intestinal disease after consuming Abbott's specialized formula, attorneys argue

Apr. 9, 2026 at 1:03am

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A photorealistic studio photograph of a single glass baby bottle filled with a clear liquid, resting on a clean, monochromatic background and dramatically lit to conceptually represent the abstract corporate and legal issues surrounding the specialized infant formula.A minimalist studio still life captures the high-stakes legal battle over a specialized infant formula and its potential health risks.Chicago Today

A monthlong trial in Cook County Circuit Court in Chicago has concluded, with the jury now deliberating in a case involving four babies who developed a dangerous intestinal disease after consuming a specialized formula for premature infants made by Abbott Laboratories. Attorneys for the mothers argued that the formula caused the babies' illness, while Abbott's lawyers maintained the formula did not lead to the babies' condition.

Why it matters

The four Cook County cases are being closely watched, as they could have significant implications for both Abbott Laboratories and families of babies born prematurely across the country. Abbott faces over 1,700 lawsuits nationwide over whether its cow's milk-based formula for preterm infants causes a disease called necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), which can be fatal in up to 40% of cases.

The details

The four lawsuits, filed in 2022 by Illinois mothers, allege that the babies developed NEC after being fed Abbott's Similac Special Care formula while hospitalized at Chicago-area medical centers between 2012 and 2019. Attorneys for the mothers argued that the formula is unreasonably dangerous and that Abbott failed to adequately warn about the risks. However, Abbott's lawyers maintained that the formula did not cause the babies' illness, and that the children had other risk factors that led to their developing NEC.

  • The four Cook County cases went to trial in April 2026.
  • The jury began deliberating on the case on April 9, 2026, shortly after closing arguments.

The players

Sean Grimsley

An attorney for the mothers, who argued that the jury should find Abbott liable and suggested awarding $52 million in damages.

Hariklia Karis

A partner at Kirkland & Ellis representing Abbott, who maintained that the formula did not cause the babies to develop NEC and that the children had other risk factors.

Abbott Laboratories

The north suburban-based company that manufactures the Similac Special Care formula for premature infants, which is at the center of the lawsuits.

Antonia Mendez, Casie Thompson, Kara Sharpe, and Eboni Williams

The Illinois mothers who filed the four lawsuits against Abbott Laboratories over their premature babies developing NEC after consuming the company's formula.

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What they’re saying

“We're here because these kids did not have to develop NEC. We're here because these kids did not have to suffer. We are here because of Abbott.”

— Sean Grimsley, Attorney for the mothers

“The scientific evidence has shown that these kids were born prematurely, they had a number of other conditions, and, as a result, even without a drop of formula, these kids were going, unfortunately, to develop NEC.”

— Hariklia Karis, Partner at Kirkland & Ellis representing Abbott

What’s next

The jury in the Cook County case is expected to deliver its verdict in the coming days. The outcome of this trial could influence the many other similar cases against Abbott that have been filed in Cook County Circuit Court, as well as hundreds of federal cases in Chicago.

The takeaway

This high-stakes legal battle over Abbott's formula for premature infants highlights the complex and contentious issues surrounding the potential risks of cow's milk-based formulas for preterm babies. The case has far-reaching implications for both the company and families of vulnerable infants across the country.