As of October 2025, more than 4,000 lawsuits have been filed against Novo Nordisk and other manufacturers of GLP-1 receptor agonists, including Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus. Plaintiffs allege that these drugs caused severe and sometimes irreversible injuries—most notably vision loss, gastroparesis (paralysis of the stomach), and bowel obstruction. The litigation has expanded rapidly, with legal analysts projecting over $2 billion in potential liability.
This article outlines the key injuries driving the lawsuits, the legal claims being filed, and what patients and families need to know if they’ve been harmed by Ozempic or related medications.
Overview of the Litigation
Ozempic (semaglutide) was originally approved to treat type 2 diabetes and later marketed for weight loss under the brand Wegovy. While effective for glycemic control and appetite suppression, the drug has been linked to serious adverse events that were allegedly underreported or omitted from product labeling.
The lawsuits fall into three primary injury categories:
- Blindness and optic nerve damage
- Gastroparesis (delayed gastric emptying)
- Bowel obstruction and gastrointestinal paralysis
Plaintiffs argue that Novo Nordisk failed to adequately warn consumers and healthcare providers about these risks, despite growing evidence from post-market surveillance, adverse event reports, and independent studies.
Injury Category 1: Blindness and Optic Nerve Damage
Hundreds of plaintiffs have reported sudden vision loss after taking Ozempic, often diagnosed as non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). Symptoms include:
- Sudden, painless vision loss
- Loss of peripheral or central vision
- Optic nerve swelling
- Permanent blindness in one or both eyes
A 2025 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that semaglutide users were nearly twice as likely to develop NAION compared to non-users (King Law, 2025). Despite these findings, Ozempic’s label does not currently include a warning for optic nerve injury. See Ozempic and blindness lawsuit update.
Injury Category 2: Gastroparesis
Gastroparesis is a debilitating condition in which the stomach muscles fail to contract properly, leading to delayed gastric emptying. Patients report:
- Chronic nausea and vomiting
- Inability to digest food
- Malnutrition and weight loss
- Hospitalization for dehydration and electrolyte imbalance
GLP-1 drugs slow gastric motility as part of their mechanism of action. However, plaintiffs allege that Novo Nordisk failed to disclose the risk of permanent gastric paralysis. In some cases, patients required feeding tubes or surgical intervention. See Ozempic and Gastroperesis lawsuit update.
A 2024 Mayo Clinic study found that long-term semaglutide use was associated with a 3.4-fold increase in gastroparesis diagnoses (Oberheiden P.C., 2025).
Injury Category 3: Bowel Obstruction
Bowel obstruction is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the intestines become blocked, preventing the passage of food and waste. Symptoms include:
- Severe abdominal pain
- Vomiting and bloating
- Inability to pass stool or gas
- Emergency surgery or hospitalization
Plaintiffs allege that Ozempic-induced gastrointestinal paralysis led to bowel obstruction requiring surgical removal of intestinal segments. Some cases resulted in permanent disability or death. See Ozempic and Ileus blockage lawsuit update.
The FDA has received hundreds of adverse event reports linking GLP-1 drugs to bowel obstruction, but no black box warning has been issued as of October 2025.
Legal Claims and Allegations
Plaintiffs in the Ozempic lawsuits allege:
- Failure to warn: Novo Nordisk did not adequately disclose the risk of blindness, gastroparesis, or bowel obstruction
- Negligent marketing: The drug was promoted as safe and effective for weight loss without proper risk disclosure
- Fraudulent concealment: Internal safety data was allegedly withheld from regulators and the public
- Product liability: Ozempic was defectively designed or manufactured in a way that increased risk of harm
Many cases are being consolidated into multidistrict litigation (MDL) in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, where discovery is underway.
Estimated Settlement Ranges
While no global settlement has been reached, legal analysts project the following compensation tiers:
- Tier 1 – Permanent Blindness or Surgical Bowel Resection: $500,000–$1.5 million
- Tier 2 – Diagnosed Gastroparesis with Feeding Tube or Disability: $250,000–$500,000
- Tier 3 – Vision Loss or GI Injury with Partial Recovery: $100,000–$250,000
- Tier 4 – Documented Symptoms Without Hospitalization: $25,000–$100,000
These estimates are based on prior pharmaceutical mass torts and may evolve as bellwether trials proceed.
Sample Case Profiles
Case A – Filed in California (2025)
- 54-year-old woman developed gastroparesis after 10 months on Ozempic
- Required feeding tube and lost 40 pounds
- Case pending; projected Tier 2 compensation
Case B – Confidential Settlement (2025)
- 61-year-old man suffered bowel obstruction and underwent emergency surgery
- Lost ability to work and required long-term care
- Settlement: $675,000 pre-trial
Case C – Filed in Pennsylvania MDL (2025)
- 47-year-old woman developed NAION and lost vision in one eye
- Alleged failure to warn and negligent labeling
- Case pending; projected Tier 1 compensation
What Patients Should Do
If you or a loved one experienced blindness, gastroparesis, or bowel obstruction after taking Ozempic:
- Seek medical evaluation and diagnosis
- Preserve all imaging, surgical records, and specialist notes
- Document your Ozempic use
- Pharmacy records, dosage history, and prescribing physician details
- Consult legal counsel
- A pharmaceutical injury attorney can assess eligibility and file within the appropriate jurisdiction
- Avoid direct contact with the manufacturer
- Do not sign waivers or accept informal compensation without legal review
Conclusion
Ozempic has become one of the most prescribed drugs in the United States—but for thousands of patients, it has led to devastating injuries. As lawsuits mount for blindness, gastroparesis, and bowel obstruction, plaintiffs are demanding accountability from Novo Nordisk and seeking compensation for irreversible harm.
At The Law Office of Melinda J. Helbock, A.P.C., we advocate for pharmaceutical injury victims with precision, compassion, and strategic clarity. If you or a loved one suffered serious complications after taking Ozempic, we are here to help you understand your legal options and fight for justice.
References
- King Law. (2025, September 17). Ozempic blindness lawsuit [2025 update]. Retrieved from https://www.robertkinglawfirm.com/personal-injury/ozempic-lawsuit/ozempic-blindness-lawsuit/
- Oberheiden P.C. (2025, October 7). Ozempic lawsuit: Key facts for patients diagnosed with serious health complications. Retrieved from https://natlawreview.com/article/ozempic-lawsuit-key-facts-patients-diagnosed-serious-health-complications
- Helbock Law. (2025). Ozempic lawsuit facing a $2 billion problem and growing. Retrieved from https://www.helbocklaw.com/ozempic-lawsuit-facing-a-2-billion-problem-and-growing/
- Journal of the American Medical Association. (2025). Semaglutide and risk of NAION: A retrospective cohort analysis.
- Mayo Clinic. (2024). Gastroparesis and GLP-1 receptor agonists: Clinical review.
