Over 2,000 Ozempic lawsuits have been filed in federal court alleging gastroparesis, stomach paralysis, vomiting, ileus, gallbladder disease, and other gastrointestinal issues. The lawsuits allege Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of Ozempic (semaglutide), made billions in sales by marketing Ozempic for weight loss and obesity but failed to adequately warn consumers about harmful side effects.
Ozempic side effects lawsuits are for severe gastrointestinal issues like diarrhea, gastroparesis, and gastroenteritis. Potential payouts may include damages for past and future pain and suffering, health care costs, medical monitoring, and punitive damages against the company. Attorneys believe the Ozempic litigation will grow to include many thousands of claimants throughout the U.S.
If you or a member of your family received semaglutide injections for weight loss and experienced side effects like gastroparesis (stomach paralysis), persistent vomiting, nausea, or diarrhea, you may qualify for an Ozempic lawsuit. This litigation includes several widely-used weight loss drugs, including:
At Wisner Baum, we offer free case evaluations for individuals seeking justice and maximum compensation for life-altering Ozempic side effects. While the litigation is in the early stages (there have not yet been any Ozempic settlement agreements to date), time is of the essence to ensure your legal rights are protected.
Novo Nordisk is the maker of Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus. Despite the drug's widespread popularity for diabetes and weight loss, lawsuits allege the company failed to provide adequate warnings about serious risks.
Serious side effects reported include:
Long-Term Effects and Concerns:
Research links long-term GLP-1 agonist use with increased risk of gallbladder and biliary diseases, and concern remains about other serious adverse reactions that patients may not be warned about.
A meta-analysis was conducted to investigate the link between GLP-1-1 RA treatment and gallbladder and biliary diseases. Randomized clinical trials were utilized to compare the use of GLP-1 RA drugs with placebo or non-GLP-1 RA drugs in adults. The primary outcome measured was the composite of gallbladder or biliary diseases, while secondary outcomes included biliary diseases, biliary cancer, cholecystectomy, cholecystitis, and cholelithiasis.
The meta-analysis revealed that the use of GLP-1 RAs was associated with an increased risk of gallbladder or biliary diseases, especially when used at higher doses, for longer durations, and for weight loss.
Researchers conducted a meta-analysis to examine the association between GLP1-RA and cholelithiasis. The results indicated a significant increased risk of cholelithiasis with the use of GLP-1 RAs when compared to placebo or active comparator.
This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the safety of GLP1-RA drugs in relation to pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, and cholelithiasis. The researchers concluded that GLP1-RA was safe for pancreatitis, but there was an increased risk of cholelithiasis associated with the use of these drugs.
This comparative study aimed to determine if there was an increased risk of bile duct and gallbladder disease in patients with type 2 diabetes who were treated with DPP-4 inhibitors and GLP-1 analogues. Out of more than 70,000 patients, 853 were hospitalized for bile duct and gallbladder disease. The study found that the use of GLP-1 analogues was associated with an elevated risk of these illnesses, as well as an increased risk of cholecystectomy. The researchers advised physicians to be cautious about prescribing these drugs due to the identified risks.
While semaglutide was not initially approved for weight loss specifically, that did not stop Novo Nordisk from promoting Ozempic for weight loss, according to lawsuits. In 2018, Novo Nordisk launched a TV ad campaign stating that “adults lost on average up to 12 pounds” when taking Ozempic. The company spent approximately $884,000,000 over the next five years on television ads in the U.S. to promote semaglutide drugs with most of the spending allocated specifically to advertising Ozempic.
As a result of Novo Nordisk’s marketing, Ozempic prescriptions reached an all-time high of 373,000 in one week in February of 2023, more than half of which were new prescriptions. In June of 2023, new prescriptions for Ozempic surged by 140 percent from the previous year, according to media reports.
Ozempic even found its way into celebrity culture, with Jimmy Kimmel quipping about Ozempic and weight loss while hosting the 2023 Academy Awards. The TikTok hashtag #Ozempic had 273 million views on November 22, 2022. Months later, it reached well over one billion views.
But Ozempic is linked to serious side effects that have devastated lives. Joanie Knight, a Louisiana woman in her 30s, told CNN: “I wish I never touched it. I wish I’d never heard of it in my life…This medicine made my life hell. So much hell. It has cost me money. It cost me a lot of stress; it cost me days and nights and trips with my family. It’s cost me a lot, and it’s not worth it. The price is too high.”
Brenda Allen, a woman in her 40s, was prescribed Wegovy for weight loss. “And even now, being off the medication for almost a year, I’m still having a lot of problems,” she said.
If you have taken Ozempic or another GLP-1 drug such as Wegovy, Rybelsus, Saxenda, Trulicity, or Mounjaro and developed serious side effects, you may be entitled to compensation. Wisner Baum is currently reviewing potential claims for individuals nationwide.
You may qualify if:
Individuals being treated for cancer or those with a history of major gastric surgeries (such as gastric sleeve, bypass, or banding) generally do not qualify.
If you are unsure whether you meet these requirements, contact our Ozempic lawsuit attorneys for a free case evaluation. We can review your medical history, prescriptions, and symptoms to determine whether you should pursue an individual Ozempic lawsuit or join the ongoing Ozempic litigation.
Although often called a “class action,” the Ozempic lawsuits are actually proceeding as a multidistrict litigation (MDL). An MDL consolidates individual cases with common issues for coordinated pretrial management but preserves each lawsuit’s individual status. This differs from a class action lawsuit, where one case represents all members as a single group. Knowing this helps clarify how your case will be managed and what you can expect in terms of participation and compensation.
If you suffered side effects after using Ozempic, you may be able to join the lawsuit against Novo Nordisk. To file an Ozempic lawsuit, you will need to take the following steps:
The entire process often takes several years, with milestones shaped by court rulings and scientific evidence evaluations.
Settlements in Ozempic lawsuits are determined by factors such as the extent of damages, strength of evidence, manufacturer's liability, and legal representation. People with Ozempic lawsuits have significant claims for damages due to the injuries they have suffered and the amount of medical care they have required and will require into the future.
While there have not been any Ozempic settlement agreements yet in the litigation, this may change as the MDL progresses. Typically, in mass tort cases, both sides will await the results of at least one bellwether trial before settlement negotiations begin, though this is not always true. Bellwether trials determine how other similarly situated cases in the litigation will fare in the future.
To summarize, it is premature to speculate on Ozempic settlement amounts. Once a case has gone to trial, that is when we will have a better idea of where this litigation is going.
August 5, 2025: Last month saw a significant increase in Ozempic claims in the federal GLP-1 MDL. Attorneys say there are now 2,190 cases consolidated before Judge Karen S. Marston in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
July 24, 2025: Ozempic vision loss lawsuits have been filed in various state courts after the European Medicines Agency (EMA) confirmed that semaglutide carries a rare but serious risk of causing nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION).
A lawsuit filed in New Jersey alleges a man became legally blind while taking Ozempic. Another Texas Ozempic lawsuit involves a woman who developed sudden, irreversible blindness after six months taking semaglutide. Both cases allege Novo Nordisk failed to warn about the risk of NAION.
July 18, 2025: 1,997 cases are pending in the GLP-1 MDL, which includes lawsuits against Ozempic manufacturer Novo Nordisk. According to research from the Kaiser Family Foundation, 12% of Americans say they have taken a GLP-1 drug for weight loss, diabetes treatment, or to reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke. If approximately 40 million people have taken Ozempic and other GLP-1 drugs, this litigation is bound to grow exponentially.
June 2, 2025: Federally filed GLP-1 claims are closing in on 2,000. According to the most recent report from the JPML, there are now 1,882 injury claims in the GLP-1 MDL.
May 24, 2025: Multiple Ozempic vision loss lawsuits have been filed in state courts alleging NAION side effects. This segment of litigation is growing fast.
Relatedly, a CDC study revealed that a staggering 25,000 semaglutide-related emergency room visits were reported in 2023.
May 3, 2025: The GLP-1 MDL has grown to 1,809 cases.
April 25, 2025: Ozempic lawyers filed a new lawsuit recently on behalf of a Maryland man who became legally blind after taking Ozempic (semaglutide). Todd Engel is the plaintiff in the case. He alleges Novo Nordisk failed to warn consumers about the risk of vision loss risks, citing a recent study that found semaglutide can increase the risk of NAION. The latest Ozempic lawsuit alleges the company prioritized profits over patient safety through aggressive marketing.
April 1, 2025: The MDL grew to 1,685 active lawsuits against GLP-1 drug manufacturers, including Novo Nordisk, the maker of Ozempic. Bellwether planning and critical pretrial motions are actively underway.
March 23, 2025: Plaintiffs in the GLP-1 MDL filed a detailed opposition to the defendants' motion to dismiss the litigation.
Attorneys emphasized that “Individual Plaintiffs should be entitled to litigate all of their claims,” and accused the defendants of improperly focusing on case-specific issues not meant for the dismissal process.
March 3, 2025: The federal judge overseeing the GLP-1 MDL, Judge Karen Spencer Marston, discussed important milestones for Ozempic lawsuits during a status conference. Attorneys say the short-form complaint process was outlined to streamline documentation for plaintiffs, and the Rule 702 hearing date is confirmed for May 14, 2025.
February 26, 2025: Semaglutide injury lawyers are investigating a link between Ozempic and vision loss. A study confirmed a 32% increased relative risk of Non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), which is a loss of blood flow to the optic nerve. Researchers found that diabetes patients faced 4x increased NAION risk when using semaglutide, and weight loss patients showed an even higher 7x increased risk of this vision complication. Will there be vision loss lawsuits after this study? It is too soon to tell, but it is something that semaglutide attorneys will monitor.
February 21, 2025: Ozempic has been removed from the FDA’s drug shortage list, where it had been since 2022.
February 11, 2025: The GLP-1 RA Products Liability MDL has grown to 1,443 pending cases before Judge Karen S. Marston in Pennsylvania. After a slower December with 31 new filings, January saw a significant uptick with 110 new cases added to the litigation.
January 30, 2025: Defendant Novo Nordisk filed a motion to dismiss portions of the master complaint, though notably did not challenge the failure-to-warn claims, which are the foundation of this litigation. The motion seeks to narrow secondary claims, which could reduce the number of cases but likely will not have a significant impact on the litigation.
January 9, 2025: A crucial hearing has been scheduled for May 14, 2025, where the court will evaluate the admissibility of expert testimony on causation. What does this mean? Essentially, this will determine whether plaintiffs' expert opinions linking GLP-1 drugs to various injuries will be allowed to proceed.
December 3, 2024: GLP-1 drugs, including Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and others, are implicated in over 1,200 lawsuits alleging serious health risks that drug makers allegedly knew about but failed to adequately warn of. The lawsuits claim these medications can cause dangerous side effects like stomach paralysis, intestinal problems, and other serious medical conditions. The legal cases have been consolidated into a multidistrict litigation (MDL) in Pennsylvania, which means one judge will oversee all federal lawsuits.
Last month, Ozempic lawyers filed a master complaint listing potential injuries for MDL cases, including:
Legal experts expect the number of Ozempic lawsuits to reach tens of thousands as more people learn about the drug’s risks. The court will soon establish a process to review representative cases that could help determine potential settlements for affected patients.
October 3, 2024: Over 1,090 cases are pending in the GLP-1 Products Liability Litigation MDL. The litigation has more than doubled since the summer, and we believe more cases will continue to come in over the next few months.
August 5, 2024: Ozempic claims in the GLP-1 MDL increased sharply last month to 346. A status conference will be held on Thursday, August 8, 2024.
July 26, 2024: Ozempic attorneys are investigating a recent study published in JAMA. The study found a link between semaglutide and nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). NAION is a rare condition that may cause sudden and painless vision loss.
July 15, 2024: The number of Ozempic lawsuits in the MDL increased to 105 total cases. We expect this number to increase in the coming months as a new order allows Ozempic lawyers to file complaints directly in the Ozempic MDL No. 3094.
June 12, 2024: A new judge will oversee the GLP-1 MDL, which includes lawsuits against Ozempic, Mounjaro, and similar drugs for weight loss. U.S. District Judge Karen Marston was selected to manage the MDL after Judge Pratter passed away in May.
As of this month, 101 lawsuits are in the MDL. Ozempic attorneys continue to prepare cases. We anticipate a significant influx in claims over the next few months.
May 6, 2024: The Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists (GLP-1 RAs) Products Liability Litigation has reached 87 total cases. People with Ozempic lawsuits consolidated in the MDL allege they suffered from gastroparesis, intestinal blockage/obstruction, and ileus.
April 3, 2024: Ozempic lawyers recently participated in the first status conference in the Ozempic multidistrict litigation (MDL). Ozempic attorneys and the legal team for the drug’s manufacturer, Novo Nordisk, met for the case management conference in Pennsylvania, where dozens of Ozempic lawsuits are consolidated.
Most of the lawsuits against Ozempic allege the drug causes gastroparesis, a medical condition that causes delayed stomach emptying. Gastroparesis can cause severe nausea, vomiting, and other symptoms.
Are all Ozempic cases going to be in the MDL? Not necessarily. Ozempic lawyers are also filing cases in New Jersey state court, which is where Novo Nordisk has U.S. headquarters.
February 4, 2024: The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) issued an order this week consolidating dozens of Ozempic side effect lawsuits. Consolidated cases will now be a part of MDL 3094 In Re: Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists (GLP-1 RAS) Products Liability Litigation in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania before the Hon. Judge Gene E. K. Pratter.
There was some question as to which drug makers would be involved in the litigation. Lawsuits have accused Novo Nordisk of failing to warn about dangerous side effects associated with Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus, Lawsuits have also named Eli Lilly based on similar allegations involving Trulicity and Mounjaro. All of the drugs belong to a class known as GLP-1 receptor agonists.
In the order, the JPML included both Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk, the latter of which is facing the majority of claims as of this writing. Judge Pratter can separate the defendants should he deem it appropriate, but for now, both drug companies are parties in the MDL.
In the coming weeks, we will know which Ozempic attorneys will serve on the plaintiffs’ leadership. Check back for more updates.
January 25, 2024: Today, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) will hear arguments concerning plaintiffs' request to consolidate Ozempic lawsuits into a multidistrict litigation (MDL). Ozempic’s manufacturer, Novo Nordisk, has not objected to the application to consolidate cases, so we believe an MDL is likely.
Two questions will need to be answered:
January 2, 2024: As we look forward to 2024, we anticipate a decision on whether the court will establish a federal MDL for lawsuits against Ozempic and similar drugs. Check back for the latest news on the Ozempic lawsuits.
December 22, 2023: A plaintiff in Louisiana filed a lawsuit against pharmaceutical giants Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly & Co. The lawsuit alleges severe health complications, including vomiting and tooth loss, after taking Ozempic and Mounjaro.
Novo Nordisk and its subsidiaries are challenging the Louisiana court jurisdiction, arguing the complaint does not establish a connection between them and the state of Louisiana, nor does it include the plaintiff’s prescription history, marketing claims, or other allegations pertaining to the state of Louisiana.
The plaintiff seeks to consolidate Ozempic lawsuits filed in federal court into one multidistrict litigation (MDL). Scroll down to our previous update to learn more about what an MDL is.
December 18, 2023: Recently, a federal judge in Louisiana partially denied Novo Nordisk’s request to dismiss an Ozempic lawsuit filed by a woman who alleges the medication failed to warn about its side effects, particularly gastroparesis. While the judge dismissed breach of express warranty allegations, he allowed other claims to proceed.
December 1, 2023: Plaintiffs filed a motion with the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) to consolidate all federal gastroparesis lawsuits related to Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and similar GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs. A multidistrict litigation (MDL) shares some similarities with a class action, but they are legally distinct processes. In an MDL, individual lawsuits with common issues are consolidated for pretrial proceedings, discovery, gathering evidence, and more. But each case remains separate with unique claims for damages. This means that individuals within an MDL are not beholden to the resolution for an entire class, like a class action lawsuit. In a class action, each class member stands to gain the same resolution, with the exception of the class representatives, who may obtain a different resolution than the class for their additional duties in the litigation. As of today, there are 18 pending Ozempic lawsuits in federal courts.
November 7, 2023: An Ozempic class action lawsuit has been filed against Novo Nordisk in Canada. The lawsuit alleges that the company failed to provide adequate warnings about the potential risk of gastroparesis caused by its drug Ozempic. Similar lawsuits have been filed in the U.S.
October 21, 2023: A study recently published in the Journal of the American Medical Association will likely encourage more people who suffered side effects after Ozempic to come forward and file lawsuits. The study found that individuals using popular weight loss medications like Ozempic or Wegovy may face an increased risk of serious gastrointestinal issues. Per the study, “the use of GLP-1 agonists for weight loss compared with use of bupropion-naltrexone was associated with increased risk of pancreatitis, gastroparesis, and bowel obstruction…”
September 27, 2023: Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) updated the Ozempic label to include information about an increased risk of ileus, a condition that obstructs the passage of food or fluid through the intestines. The agency has received over 8,000 adverse event reports related to Ozempic and Wegovy side effects.
August 5, 2023: The European Medicines Agency (EMA) and other agencies are currently investigating whether there is a connection between the use of certain diabetes and weight loss drugs, such as Ozempic, Wegovy, and other glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, and an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and self-harm.
While there is not currently any evidence suggesting a correlation between suicide and Ozempic use, the EMA investigation highlights the limited information on potential side effects associated with Wegovy and Ozempic.
You may qualify for an Ozempic lawsuit if you:
Attorneys allege the warning labels on Ozempic and other semaglutide medications were insufficient, putting consumers at risk of serious harm. Filing an Ozempic lawsuit allows you to seek justice and compensation for your injuries. It also sends a message to Novo Nordisk that putting profit above people comes at a price.
Be advised: States have statutes of limitations that restrict how long you have to file an Ozempic case. Please contact Wisner Baum as soon as possible to ensure your legal rights are protected.
Have questions? We are here to help. Give us a call at (310) 207-3233.
Yes. Lawsuits allege gastroparesis and other gastrointestinal injuries occur in patients using Ozempic for weight loss and diabetes alike.
Lawsuits include related GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy and Mounjaro. You may still qualify depending on symptoms and timelines.
Long-term effects potentially include gastroparesis, gallbladder disease, pancreatitis, and vision problems, among others.
There is evidence linking Ozempic to a rare eye condition called NAION that can cause vision loss. Lawsuits are ongoing.
Diagnosis by a healthcare provider, medical records, and exclusion of other causes help establish a link. Your attorney can assist in gathering evidence.
Contact a qualified Ozempic attorney for a free evaluation to confirm eligibility and guide you through filing.
No. You can file a claim regardless of current medication status. Consult your doctor about your health.
Possibly. Statutes of limitations vary by state but commonly allow 1–3 years from diagnosis or injury discovery.
Novo Nordisk manufactures Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus, all GLP-1 receptor agonists.
Yes, Ozempic is currently available with updated safety warnings.
If you or a loved one has suffered serious side effects after using Ozempic or similar GLP-1 medications, the experienced prescription drug injury attorneys at Wisner Baum are here to help. Contact us today for a free and confidential case evaluation to understand your rights and options.
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The judge later reduced their award to $87M. Monsanto appealed the Pilliod’s verdict which the California Court of Appeal for the First Appellate District denied on August 9, 2021. Monsanto then requested the California Supreme Court review the appeal’s court decision, which the court denied on Nov. 17, 2021. Monsanto (Bayer) then submitted a petition for a writ of certiorari with the U.S. Supreme Court which SCOTUS denied on June 27, 2022, allowing the final judgment of $87M to remain intact.
$289.2 million jury verdict in Monsanto Roundup trial
Wisner Baum co-represented Dewayne “Lee” Johnson in the first Roundup cancer lawsuit to proceed to trial. On Aug. 10, 2018, a San Francisco jury ordered Monsanto to pay $39.25 million in compensatory damages and $250 million in punitive damages to Mr. Johnson, a former groundskeeper who alleged exposure to Monsanto’s herbicides caused him to develop terminal non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Months after the jury verdict, the judge overseeing the trial reduced the punitive damages to $39.25 million. Mr. Johnson decided to accept the remittitur, bringing the adjusted amount awarded to Mr. Johnson $78.5 million.
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In 2016, Wisner Baum attorney Timothy A. Loranger and six other attorneys in the Plaintiffs’ Management Committee were able to secure a $265 million settlement for victims of the 2015 Amtrak 188 derailment in Philadelphia, one of the largest in the U.S. for 2016.