Abbott Litigation Over Recalled Formula Sent to Chicago Court

Abbott Laboratories, hit with a spate of lawsuits following a Food and Drug Administration investigation into infant deaths and a recall of several formula brands, will face a combined federal proceeding in an Illinois court, the US Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation said Friday.

Arturo Andaluz asked the panel in April to consolidate the litigation—then some 18 lawsuits. He alleged his child suffered serious harm requiring medical care after being fed recalled formula.

Plaintiffs asked the panel to send the suits to the Eastern District of Michigan, the Northern District of Illinois, or the Southern District of Florida. Abbott ...