OZEMPIC LAWSUIT 2023
MEDICAL DEVICE & PHARMACEUTICAL INJURY
Ozempic Lawsuit Updates September 2023
As of September 2023, lawsuits against Ozempic manufacturers are in the very early stages. No global settlements or jury trials have occurred or been scheduled. Some of the first Ozempic lawsuits were filed early in August 2023, which means these cases have a long way to go. If you or someone you love has suffered severe gastrointestinal events from Ozempic, you may be eligible for an Ozempic lawsuit.
The defective drug lawyers at Reich & Binstock have extensive experience holding drug manufacturers accountable for their negligence and failure to warn. Our legal team has achieved amazing results for clients in cases against several drug manufacturers, including those of Xarelto, Zantac, Truvada, Elmiron, Xeljanz, Taxotere, and more.
To learn if you are eligible for the Ozempic lawsuits, contact our law office as soon as possible. Call 713-622-7271 today to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation with us.
Ozempic Lawsuit Timeline
- August 2022: JAMA Internal Medicine published a research article from scientists that linked Ozempic to higher risks of gallstones and gallbladder disease. At that point, many attorneys started investigating and accepting Ozempic gallbladder lawsuits.
- July 2023: The American Society of Health System Pharmacists (ASHP) announced a shortage of Wegovy and Ozempic, both semaglutide brands, due to a rapid increase in demand.
- August 2023: In Louisiana, one of the first Ozempic and Mounjaro lawsuits was filed by Jaclyn Bjorklund for gastroparesis. Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly were sent summonses shortly after, on August 3rd. A summons is a court document that advises a defendant that they are being sued.
As of September 2023, there is no Ozempic class action lawsuit. However, many attorneys, including those at Reich & Binstock, are investigating and accepting these cases. If Ozempic cases continue to grow, it is possible that they will be consolidated into an MDL (multidistrict litigation).
What Is Ozempic?
Ozempic is a brand name for the drug semaglutide. It is an injectable medication intended for controlling blood sugar (glucose) in adults with Type 2 diabetes. It is one of many popular diabetes drugs. Ozempic is not a type of nor a substitute for insulin.
How Does Ozempic Work?
Ozempic belongs to a medication class called GLP-1 agonists. They work by mimicking a naturally occurring hormone in the gut called GLP-1. It works to lower glucose levels in the blood after someone eats a meal. GLP-1 hormones also prevent the liver from producing glucose and makes patients feel fuller for longer periods.
Side Effects of Ozempic
As with every medication, Ozempic has certain known side effects. The most common side effects of Ozempic are as follows.
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
So, what are the bad side effects of Ozempic? Rare but serious side effects include vision changes, allergic reactions, and pancreatitis. The drug also has an FDA black box warning for having a risk of thyroid C-cell tumors. When taken as directed, Ozempic is generally a safe medication. However, individuals with the following characteristics should not take Ozempic.
- Allergies to any ingredients in Ozempic
- Multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2
- Risk of medullary thyroid carcinoma
What Happens If You Stop Using Ozempic?
Like many medications, Ozempic users may notice certain changes if they stop taking the drug. Some possible changes after stopping Ozempic injections can include the following.
- Higher blood sugar
- Increasing appetite
- Weight gain
- More facial fullness
- Fading side effects
Why Are People Filing Ozempic Lawsuits in 2023?
Ozempic lawsuits are being filed because users took the drug and suffered from a serious side effect called gastroparesis. Also called stomach paralysis, this disorder causes food to move through the stomach and into the small intestine too slowly. In severe cases, the food may completely stop moving through the intestines.
Gastroparesis can lead to users developing severe gastrointestinal issues, like nausea, severe vomiting, stomach pain, bloating, acid reflux, severe dehydration, weight loss, and malnutrition. If undigested food remains in the stomach for long periods due to delayed gastric emptying, it can harden.
What Injuries Are Named in Ozempic Lawsuits?
One of the first and most significant Ozempic lawsuits was filed by a Louisiana woman named Jaclyn Bjorklund. Her claim alleges that Ozempic led to her developing gastroparesis (stomach paralysis), which delays gastric emptying. This condition can result in excessive vomiting, which she did experience. The excessive vomiting also led to her teeth falling out.
Her lawsuit names both Ozempic and Mounjaro, both diabetes medications. Because of her severe gastroparesis, she had to visit the emergency room and stay in the hospital. There, she experienced serious symptoms including stomach pain, gastrointestinal burning, and vomiting whole food.
The two main injuries named in Ozempic lawsuits are gastroparesis and gallbladder issues. We outline these specific injuries in the following sections.
Ozempic and Gastroparesis/Stomach Paralysis
Ozempic and Mounjaro are facing lawsuits alleging that the drugs can cause severe gastrointestinal issues like gastroparesis. The condition affects the normal movement of the muscles in the stomach, which leads to food moving too slowly through the intestines, or not at all. This prevention of proper gastric emptying can lead to serious problems.
Symptoms of Gastroparesis
Stomach paralysis interferes with a patient’s normal digestion process. This can result in symptoms such as the following.
- Nausea
- Severe vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Abdominal bloating
- Acid reflux
- Malnutrition and weight loss
- Problems with nutrition and blood sugar levels
Ozempic and Gallbladder Issues
A research letter published in JAMA Internal Medicine in August 2022 alleged a link between Ozempic and higher rates of gallbladder issues. Examples of these issues include gallstones and acute gallbladder disease. This letter used data collected by the FDA in a review of reports from their FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS).
Some symptoms of gallbladder issues include pain in the upper right part of the abdomen, nausea, vomiting, chills, fever, and jaundice.
Who Could Be Held Liable in Ozempic Lawsuits?
Patients who experience complications from Ozempic may be able to file a claim against the manufacturer of Ozempic, Novo Nordisk. If you took Ozempic and, as a result, sustained severe injuries, it is of the utmost importance to contact an Ozempic lawyer. Call the defective drug lawyers at Reich & Binstock as soon as possible for a free case evaluation.
Who Is Eligible to File an Ozempic Lawsuit?
The only way to know one’s eligibility for an Ozempic lawsuit is to speak with a qualified attorney about your situation. If you took Ozempic for Type 2 diabetes or weight loss and suffered severe stomach problems, you may have a case. Currently, most attorneys taking Ozempic cases are taking those involving gastroparesis and gallbladder problems.
Patients who underwent gastric bypass, gastric sleeve, or gastric banding surgery before taking Ozempic may not qualify for a lawsuit. Others may not qualify if they were being treated for cancer. We recommend speaking with an attorney as soon as possible, as you only have a limited amount of time to file a claim.
How to File an Ozempic Lawsuit
If you have suffered serious complications or drug interactions from Ozempic, it is imperative that you speak with an attorney as soon as possible. Not only will this reveal if you have a case, but it will jump-start the legal process if you do. When you meet with the team at Reich & Binstock, we can verify whether or not you qualify to file a claim.
If you have a valid Ozempic lawsuit, we will begin gathering evidence to support your claim. Examples of these pieces of evidence include medical records and personal testimony. Then, we will formally file your lawsuit through the appropriate avenues within the statute of limitations.
From there, we will handle the process of litigation. This may include settlement negotiations or trials, but it is too soon to predict what the process will be. You deserve compensation for the suffering you endured. Don’t hesitate to reach out to our compassionate team. Call 713-622-7271 today.
What Are the Core Legal Issues in the Ozempic Lawsuits?
The main issue concerns whether the manufacturer of Ozempic, Novo Nordisk, knew or should have known of the drug’s higher risk of causing gastroparesis. If they knew or should have known of the risk, they can be held liable for failing to warn patients and doctors of that risk.
Ozempic Lawsuit Settlement Amounts
Currently, it is far too early to estimate how much an Ozempic lawsuit may be worth. However, speaking with an attorney can help you understand the potential worth of your claim. If Ozempic complications injured you, you may be able to recover compensation for the following damages.
- Past and future incurred medical expenses
- Lost income
- Past and future pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Wrongful death if you lost a loved one to Ozempic
How to Find an Ozempic Lawsuit Attorney
When looking for an Ozempic lawyer, it’s important to choose a firm with considerable experience in pharmaceutical claims. Look at their case results, verdicts, and settlement amounts on their website, or ask about it in your free consultation. Reich & Binstock is a Houston-based law firm with decades of experience in pharmaceutical injury claims.
When drug manufacturers put their profits over patient safety, we believe they should be held accountable for any injuries that occur as a result of their negligence. For this reason, we investigate drug injury claims nationwide, using our skills and experience to give a voice to injured patients.
How Long Do I Have to File an Ozempic Lawsuit?
It depends. Most states allow at least two or three years to file a lawsuit. However, the statute of limitations for drug injury claims varies from state to state. This is why we recommend speaking with an attorney as soon as possible about your case. They will evaluate the facts of your situation and ensure that, if you have a case, you file it before the statute of limitations expires.
Ozempic Lawsuit FAQs
Who Manufactures Ozempic?
The manufacturer of Ozempic is Novo Nordisk. They are also responsible for manufacturing Rybelsis and Wegovy, two other popular semaglutide drugs.
Is Ozempic Approved as a Weight Loss Drug?
No. Using Ozempic as a weight loss drug is considered an off-label use. Ozempic is FDA-approved for Type 2 diabetes management. However, many doctors have prescribed the medication for weight loss.
How Much Does an Ozempic Lawsuit Cost?
When you speak with a personal injury attorney at Reich & Binstock, you’ll be doing so during a free consultation. We operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning we don’t accept a cent unless we secure a recovery for you. In other words, it costs nothing to file an Ozempic lawsuit.
Contact an Ozempic Lawyer with Reich & Binstock Today
If you or someone you love suffered an illness or injury as a result of taking Ozempic, you may be eligible for a drug injury lawsuit. The Houston personal injury attorneys at Reich & Binstock are dedicated to holding negligent drug manufacturers accountable. We will evaluate your situation, gather evidence to support your claim, and guide you through the entire process. Our compassionate team of attorneys will fight for your legal rights and ensure that your voice is heard. To schedule your free consultation with us, please call our office at 713-622-7271 today.
There is never a fee unless we recover on your behalf.
