A trial in a class-action suit brought by former Abbott Laboratories (ABT) employees alleging they lost benefits when the company spun off Hospira Inc. (HSP) in 2004 is finally set to start Wednesday, and could lead to a ruling this autumn.

When Abbott shed Hospira, which makes generic injectable drugs and medication-delivery tools, about 10,000 workers were transferred in the move. The plaintiffs in the case allege that Abbott communicated false information about the pension and retiree health benefits workers would receive if they accepted Hospira employment.

The companies have denied they acted improperly in the matter.

The case, set for trial in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, involves three former Abbott workers who are still with Hospira and are representing all affected workers, said Steven Sprenger, counsel for the plaintiffs at the law firm Sprenger + Lang.

The suit was originally filed in late 2004 and has had a long path to court. U.S. District Judge Robert Gettleman last July denied motions for summary judgment brought by Abbott and Hospira and indicated the matter should be sorted out in a trial.

It is planned to last six days but in two chunks - one starting Wednesday and the other in late July. This is due to Abbott's planned annual meeting Friday, which will prevent plaintiffs' attorneys from calling Abbott Chief Executive Miles White to testify this week. Sprenger said he aims to call White in July and to call Hospira Chief Executive Christopher Begley this week.

A judge's decision in the bench trial could come in September or October, Sprenger estimated. Plaintiffs are "seeking to be put back into the same position that they would have been in but for the spinoff and the loss of their benefits," he said.

Hospira didn't have any comment on the matter Tuesday, but has said previously that it acted in compliance with the law at all times.

Abbott spokesman Scott Stoffel noted that the company created Hospira to allow both companies to maximize opportunities in their different markets - Abbott is a big maker of brand-name drugs, medical devices and diagnostic equipment. "Potential employee benefit savings never factored into this decision," Stoffel said.

He also said that Abbott clearly communicated that Hospira would have responsibility for all employee benefit plans starting Jan. 1, 2005.

-By Jon Kamp, Dow Jones Newswires; 617-654-6728; jon.kamp@dowjones.com