Case Explained: IN RE: ABBOTT LABORATORIES, et al., PRETERM INFANT NUTRITION PRODUCTS LIABILITY LITIGATION TERRAINE ABDULLAH, on her own behalf and as Parent and Natural Guardian of H.S., a minor v. MEAD JOHNSON & COMPANY LLC, et al

Court: United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit Filed: 2026-07-28 The seventh-circuit reversed the district court’s denial of the plaintiffs’ motion to remand the cases to state court, holding that the district court improperly expanded the doctrine of fraudulent joinder. The court stated that under established precedent and Supreme Court authority, fraudulent joinder is limited to two situations: where a plaintiff makes false allegations regarding jurisdictional facts, or where the plaintiff has no chance of success against the non-diverse defendant after resolving all facts and law in the plaintiff’s favor. The appellate court ruled that a plaintiff’s failure to demonstrate a real or good faith intent to pursue claims against a non-diverse defendant, based on litigation conduct such as delayed discovery or verbal representations regarding appeals, is not a valid basis for finding fraudulent joinder. Consequently, the cases are remanded for further proceedings consistent with this opinion. Do It For The Case Law is a news reporting service. Nothing in this episode constitutes legal advice.