Abbott wins unanimous jury verdict in first products liability trial involving powdered infant formula

Client(s) Abbott Laboratories

On January 17, 2014, after a two-week trial in Sioux City, Iowa, a federal jury found in favor of Jones Day client Abbott Laboratories in a product liability suit seeking tens of millions of dollars in damages. Alleging that an Abbott powdered infant formula caused an infant's bacterial meningitis infection, plaintiff asserted various products liability, express and implied warranty and fraud claims, and sought punitive damages against Abbott.

Before trial, the court granted a number of defense motions, including a motion to dismiss an implied warranty claim and summary judgment in Abbott's favor on plaintiff's remaining express and implied warranty and fraud claims. The case went to trial on plaintiff's manufacturing defect, design defect, and warning defect claims. The jury returned a unanimous verdict for Abbott on all counts.

Security National Bank of Sioux City, IA, The v. Abbott Laboratories, Docket No. 5:11-cv-04017 (N.D. Iowa 2014)