Ozempic Lawsuit: 2024 Update

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Ozempic (brand name for semaglutide) is a U.S- manufactured drug approved by the FDA for treating Type II diabetes and is also known to be used for weight loss. On August 2, 2023, an Ozempic lawsuit was filed against the maker Novo Nordisk, claiming the drug had caused a patient to have stomach paralysis. More personal injury lawsuits against Ozempic followed, with claims of gallstones, gallbladder disease, and cyclic vomiting syndrome.

Until recently, the warning label for Ozempic has not explicitly notified doctors or patients about the possible drug risks. If you were prescribed Ozempic and are now suffering from stomach paralysis or any other side effect, you may be able to file a product liability lawsuit and get financial compensation for your injuries. 

If you’re wondering how to go about that, you’ll need the expertise of an injury lawyer to help you negotiate the highest amount possible. This article contains up-to-date information about the Ozempic class action lawsuits and where you can find the best injury lawyer.

What is the Ozempic lawsuit? 

The Ozempic lawsuit is a multidistrict class action lawsuit with at least 55 lawsuits. Plaintiffs involved in the lawsuit are suffering from alleged injuries after using the drug, especially gastroparesis—a condition that severely weakens the muscles and nerves in the stomach, making it difficult for food to reach the small intestine. 

Plaintiffs in the Ozempic lawsuit are filing against Novo Nordisk for financial compensation for damages caused by the drug, including financial and emotional damages. The lawsuit has continued for almost seven months, and lawyers expect the number of lawsuits to increase to 10,000. 

Why are People Filing Ozempic Lawsuits?

People are filing Ozempic lawsuits because of the side effects they have suffered from using Ozempic. The common issues reported are cholecystitis, gastroparesis, and cholecystectomy. There is no cure for gastroparesis, and it can only be managed through surgery. 

This means anyone who has developed this medical condition may have to deal with it for a lifetime. Plaintiffs are filing lawsuits to get compensation that will cover their possible medical expenses.

Have you or anyone you know been affected by Ozempic and you would like to take action? Contact the experts at Injury Lawyers Connect to explore your legal options and join forces with other plaintiffs to get justice.

Who Qualifies to File an Ozempic Lawsuit?

Anyone who can prove that they took Ozempic and are now dealing with severe health conditions like stomach paralysis, ileus, intestinal obstruction, and severe persistent vomiting is qualified to file for an Ozempic lawsuit. 

Plaintiffs must be able to show evidence including:

• Age: You must not have been older than 75 when you started taking the drug.
• Proof of use: You should have medical records and prescriptions showing usage of Ozempic.
• Adverse health effects: You must be able to prove that severe health conditions you’re suffering from are a result of using Ozempic, for example, timelines showing drug usage and emergency room visits. Symptoms should also have occurred within 60 days of using the drug. 
• The medical diagnosis of the condition: Qualifying conditions for the Ozempic lawsuit include those listed above. Not all health conditions will qualify, for example, plaintiffs being treated for cancer or that have prior gastric conditions.

To accurately determine whether you meet the qualifications, consult an injury lawyer who can also help present your case.

Ozempic Lawsuit 2024 Update

The earliest reported case against pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk was filed in August 2023. Here’s what has happened since then:

Ozempic lawsuit updates in 2024

As of January 2024, the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System received multiple reports of further side effects. The FDA launched an investigation into reports of suicidal thoughts, aspiration under anesthesia and sedation, and hair loss amongst Ozempic users and similar medications. 

By February 2024, the Ozempic lawsuit had increased to at least 55, with claims that Ozempic (and other GLP-RAS class drugs) had caused severe gastrointestinal problems for the plaintiffs. The Eastern District of Pennsylvania combined the lawsuits into a federal multidistrict litigation, with plaintiffs’ lawyers estimating that the lawsuits might increase to 10,000. 

As of March 2024, the lawsuit is still in its early stages. More plaintiffs continue to transfer to the multidistrict litigation, and the defendant’s attorneys, Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk have filed notices of appearances.

Ozempic lawsuit updates in 2023

After seven Novo Nordisk lawsuits were centralized in multidistrict litigation in Delaware in August 2022, it took some months for summons to be issued to Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk. Between that time, a research letter was published in JAMA Internal Medicine establishing a causal relationship between Ozempic usage and a higher risk of gallstones and gallbladder disease. Lawyers then began accepting Ozempic lawsuits. 

Jaclyn Bjorklund filed the first gastroparesis lawsuit in August 2023. Summons were issued to the defendants on August 3, but three months later, the defendants filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit in the Louisiana federal court. 

In September 2023, the FDA added a new warning to the Ozempic label, and in November 2023, Canadians filed a proposed class action lawsuit in the B.C. Supreme Court. The lawsuit alleged that Novo Nordisk failed to include adequate warnings about potential complications from Ozempic usage, especially gastroparesis. 

In December 2023, Judge James Cain denied Novo Nordisk’s motion to dismiss the Bjorklund case. All claims except the express warranty claims were cleared to proceed, and the plaintiff’s lawyers filed a motion in the Louisiana District Court to consolidate the Ozempic cases. 

When will the Ozempic lawsuit be settled?

Although multidistrict litigation cases move faster than individual cases through the legal system, they can take years to settle, depending on their complexity and the number of cases involved. 

The length of the Ozempic lawsuit cannot be properly estimated as some may be settled quickly while others may take months or years. In addition to the rising number of lawsuits, the evidence produced, the complexity of the cases, and other factors may lengthen the settlement timeline. 

Ozempic lawsuit settlement amounts 

Anyone harmed by Ozempic usage may seek compensation for legal damages such as medical expenses, lost wages, emotional distress, pain and suffering, disability, and other related complications. The settlement amount depends on the extent of injuries and unique circumstances of the plaintiff’s case. 

As of February 2024, the anticipated Ozempic lawsuit settlement amount for cases involving gallbladder removal or death is estimated at $400,000 to $700,000 to cover medical expenses, punitive damages, and emotional distress or pain. 

How to file an Ozempic lawsuit

If you want to file an Ozempic lawsuit, you should properly document your Ozempic use and associated injuries for a tight lawsuit. You should consolidate all your medical documents, including the Ozempic prescription and use given to you by your doctor, plus all medical information on your injuries. Ensure all documents show a timeline correlation between Ozempic and any side effects experienced. 

After this, you should go to an injury lawyer with experience in mass tort, bad drug lawsuits, and pharmaceutical litigations. The lawyer will use all documents provided by you to carry out further investigations and gather evidence to strengthen and present your case. 

How much does it cost to file an Ozempic lawsuit 

For drug injury cases, personal injury lawyers typically charge a contingency fee, meaning you won’t have to pay any upfront legal fees, and your lawyer only receives payment if they win the case for you. The contingency fee amount depends on the law firm you employ, so you should ask about the fee arrangement during initial consultations. 

How to Choose an Ozempic Lawyer

If you want to bring a lawsuit against Nova Nordisk, you’ll need a competent lawyer. Here’s what you should look out for: 

Law Firm Experience 

You need a lawyer with a background in medical law and experience handling mass tort bad drug lawsuits. These lawyers have the expertise needed to understand the complexities of the Ozempic lawsuit. They know how to estimate the value of damages, gather medical records, investigate evidence, and establish a link between Ozempic drug use and your current medical condition. 

Choosing an experienced lawyer may be the difference between you getting the highest possible amount, and not. 

Find the top Ozempic lawyers here.  

Pharmaceutical Track Records

An Ozempic lawyer should specialize in pharmaceutical litigation, particularly cases related to Ozempic or similar medications like Wegovy and Rybelsus. You should check whether the lawyer has a history of taking on cases involving pharmaceutical companies and how many cases they have won. 

A lawyer with a pharmaceutical track record already knows the regulations, industry practices, and medical evidence they need to navigate to secure favorable client settlements. Using one will increase your chances of winning the Ozempic lawsuit. 

You can find the best Ozempic lawyers here.  

More About the Ozempic Lawsuits 

Here’s more information regarding the Ozempic lawsuit:

How does Ozempic work? 

Ozempic injection 2mg, 1mg, or 0.5mg is an injectable prescription medicine used to increase blood sugar in adults with type II diabetes and reduce cardiovascular risks like heart attack or stroke. 

When injected, Ozempic functions like liraglutide to reduce blood sugar and A1C, enhancing insulin production in diabetic adults. According to the Ozempic website, the drug lowers blood sugar by helping the pancreas produce more insulin, preventing the liver from releasing too much sugar, and slowing down food from leaving the stomach. 

For weight loss, Ozempic works by copying the naturally occurring hormone that sends molecules to your brain when you’re full. By increasing the time it takes for food to leave your stomach, it slows digestion, making users eat less.  

Have there been Ozempic deaths?

NBC Miami and other news sites reported that a 56-year-old mother, Trish Webster, died of acute gastrointestinal illness after taking Ozempic. The Australian mother was trying to lose weight for her daughter’s wedding. According to her husband, Roy Webster, she was on Ozempic, then switched to Saxenda, a weight management drug. Trish experienced symptoms like diarrhea, severe nausea, and vomiting. 

​​What is the new warning about Ozempic?

The FDA Center for Drug and Evaluation Research has approved safety labelling changes for Ozempic as of October 22, 2023. The medication has been updated to include a warning about adverse reactions to semaglutide and potential side effects like gastrointestinal disorders, hypersensitivity, and hepatobiliary. It also warns against the combined use of insulin and Ozempic.

The label is also clear that reports of Ozempic reactions are voluntary and from a population of uncertain size therefore, one cannot reliably estimate the frequency of reactions or establish a causal relationship between Ozempic and the reported side effects. 

Is Ozempic worth the risk?

When you take Ozempic, your body may get used to it, causing your weight to fluctuate. You’ll also likely gain weight once you stop taking it. 

The warning on Ozempic’s website has a long list of side effects including: 

• Possible thyroid tumors and cancer 
• Inflammation of the pancreas
• Changes in vision 
• Low blood sugar 
• Kidney failure 
• Gallbladder problems 
• Serious allergic reactions
• Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, constipation, etc.

While Ozempic works, it is important to consider the risks involved. Experts recommend not taking It unless you have type II diabetes and talking to a healthcare provider before taking it.

Hire the Best Ozempic Lawyer for your case

If you’re an Ozempic user suffering from any side effects, you should first seek care from a medical provider, as your health is more important. This also shows that you tried to minimize damages, increasing your eligibility for compensation. Make sure to keep a proper record of the required documentation. 

After medical care, you can explore your legal options with an experienced lawyer. At Injury Lawyers Connect, we’ll help you find the best Ozempic lawyers who will help you understand your rights and the process of filing an Ozempic lawsuit. 

We’ll connect you with the lawyers who have an outstanding record of success at the trial and appellate level, fueled by specialized expertise, aggressive advocacy, and extensive case preparation. 

Ready to file your Ozempic lawsuit? 

Find the best Ozempic lawyer for your case 

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