If you’ve suffered from stomach paralysis (gastroparesis), severe vomiting, or vision loss after using GLP-1 drugs, you may be eligible for financial compensation.
For many people, GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelus can help manage blood sugar or support weight loss. But in recent years, reports have linked the drug to serious gastrointestinal injuries such as gastroparesis, as well as rare but potentially permanent vision loss caused by optic nerve damage known as NAION.
Today, thousands of people are pursuing lawsuits involving Ozempic and other semaglutide-based GLP-1 drugs. These cases center on allegations that patients were not adequately warned about the risk of these serious health issues before taking the medication.
This page explains:
- Who may be eligible to file an Ozempic lawsuit
- What medical and regulatory reviews have found so far
- How Ozempic lawsuits are being handled in federal court
- What typically happens after someone submits a claim
Am I Eligible To File an Ozempic Lawsuit?
While each case is unique, many lawsuits involving Ozempic and related medications share common medical and usage factors. Here are some of the criteria attorneys typically review when evaluating claims.
1. You were prescribed a semaglutide-based GLP-1 medication
Current litigation focuses on medications that contain semaglutide, including:
- Ozempic
- Wegovy
- Rybelsus
These drugs may have been prescribed for:
- Type 2 diabetes management
- Weight loss (including off-label use, depending on the medication)
2. You used the medication for a sustained period of time
Many claims involve ongoing or repeated use, rather than a single dose. Attorneys often look at:
- Duration of treatment
- Dosage escalation over time
- Whether symptoms developed during continued use
3. You were diagnosed with a serious gastrointestinal or vision-related condition
You may qualify if, after using a semaglutide-based GLP-1 medication, you were diagnosed with one of the following conditions:
- Gastroparesis or severe delayed gastric emptying, or
- NAION (non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy) or unexplained sudden vision loss
4. Your diagnosis occurred during or shortly after medication use
Timing plays an important role in case evaluation. In many semaglutide-related claims:
- Symptoms began while the medication was being taken, or
- A diagnosis was made shortly after discontinuation
Because both gastroparesis and NAION can be misunderstood or misdiagnosed initially, delays between symptom onset and diagnosis do not automatically rule out eligibility.
5. You required medical intervention or ongoing care
Strong claims often involve injuries that required meaningful medical treatment, such as:
- Emergency room visits or hospital admissions
- Specialist care (gastroenterology, ophthalmology, neurology)
- Diagnostic testing (gastric emptying studies, imaging, visual field tests)
- Long-term treatment, monitoring, or lifestyle changes
You do not need to have every medical record available right now. If you’re missing pieces, our team at Slater & Zurz can help retrieve them during the investigation phase.
Signs and Impacts of Gastroparesis After Using Ozempic, Wegovy, or Rybelsus
Gastroparesis is a condition in which the stomach empties more slowly than it should, or stops emptying altogether. People diagnosed with gastroparesis after using semaglutide-based GLP-1 medications often report symptoms such as:
- Persistent nausea or vomiting
- Severe bloating or abdominal discomfort
- Feeling full after eating small amounts of food
- Loss of appetite or difficulty tolerating meals
- Dehydration or unintentional weight loss
- Repeated emergency room visits related to digestive distress
Because these symptoms can resemble common gastrointestinal issues, they are sometimes attributed to diet, stress, or other conditions before gastroparesis is formally diagnosed. In many cases, symptoms worsen over time rather than appearing all at once.
How GLP-1 Drugs May Be Linked To Gastroparesis
One of semaglutide’s intended effects is slowing stomach emptying, which can help reduce blood sugar spikes after meals. The FDA-approved Ozempic prescribing information explicitly states that Ozempic “causes a delay of gastric emptying,” and notes that this can affect the absorption of oral medications.
What is still being studied (and what many lawsuits focus on) is whether, in some individuals, this delayed emptying may become severe or persistent enough to resemble gastroparesis, sometimes referred to as stomach paralysis. Recent reviews discuss the clinical consequences of delayed gastric emptying with GLP-1 medications, including how symptoms do not always perfectly track gastric emptying changes and why careful evaluation (including diagnostic testing) matters.
Signs and Impacts of NAION and Vision Impairment After Using Ozempic, Wegovy, or Rybelsus
NAION (non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy) occurs when blood flow to the optic nerve is reduced, causing damage that may be sudden and permanent. Unlike eye strain or gradual vision changes, NAION often occurs without pain and may be noticed immediately upon waking or during routine activities.
Individuals who developed vision problems after semaglutide-based GLP-1 medications have reported symptoms including:
- Sudden vision loss in one eye
- Blurred, dimmed, or darkened vision
- Loss of part of the visual field
- Difficulty adjusting to changes in light
- Visual impairment that does not improve with corrective lenses
How GLP-1 Drugs May Be Linked To NAION-Related Vision Loss
Several high-profile research and regulatory developments have pushed NAION into sharper focus:
- In one matched cohort study published in JAMA Ophthalmology, patients prescribed semaglutide had a higher observed risk of NAION versus matched patients prescribed non-GLP-1 medications.
- In June 2025, the European Medicines Agency’s PRAC concluded that NAION is a “very rare” side effect of semaglutide medicines (Ozempic, Rybelsus, Wegovy), meaning it may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people taking semaglutide, and recommended product information updates accordingly.
Current Ozempic Lawsuits and MDL Updates
Litigation involving semaglutide medications has grown as more people report serious side effects linked to the medication.
What patients are alleging in Ozempic lawsuits
Ozempic lawsuits do not claim that every person who takes the drug will experience these complications. Instead, plaintiffs generally allege that:
- Serious risks such as gastroparesis and vision loss were not adequately disclosed
- Patients were unable to make fully informed decisions about treatment
- Earlier warning labels or prescribing guidance could have reduced harm
Federal MDL for gastrointestinal injuries (MDL No. 3094)
Rather than isolated claims, many semaglutide lawsuits are now coordinated through federal multidistrict litigation (MDL) proceedings. MDLs help streamline complex cases that share key scientific, regulatory, or factual issues, while preserving each person’s individual claim.
Centralizing these cases allows judges and lawyers to:
- Coordinate pretrial discovery and expert testimony
- Identify common scientific issues
- Manage overlapping legal questions more efficiently
- Evaluate patterns in medical records, side effect reporting, and risk communication
New MDL for NAION vision loss cases (MDL No. 3163)
Recognizing that optic nerve injuries like NAION (non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy) involve distinct medical issues, a second MDL (No. 3163) was created in late 2025 specifically for vision-related claims. This separation allows the court to address the unique scientific, diagnostic, and causation questions that come with sudden vision loss, while still maintaining coordination among similar Ozzempic vision loss lawsuits.
This new MDL underscores:
- How seriously courts are treating allegations of vision impairment tied to Ozempic
- The expanding scope of litigation beyond digestive injuries
- The need for focused review of different injury mechanisms
What an MDL means for individual claimants
Being part of an MDL doesn’t mean a claim is a class action or that outcomes will be the same for every person. Instead, it means:
- Your case remains your own; you can still seek individualized compensation
- Pretrial steps (like evidence gathering and expert reports) are handled collectively
- Judges can make rulings that apply across many cases, speeding up the process
- Consolidation helps reduce duplicative motions and conflicting rulings
MDLs often position cases for potential settlement discussions or coordinated trial schedules once pretrial work is complete. To better understand what this might mean for your unique situation, reach out to us at 330-762-0700 for a free case review.
What Compensation May Cover in an Ozempic Lawsuit
Compensation in an Ozempic, Wegovy, or Rybelsus case is intended to address the real medical, financial, and personal impact caused by serious side effects such as gastroparesis or vision loss. While every case is evaluated on its own facts, damages are typically tied to the severity of the injury, the treatment required, and how the condition has affected daily life.
Depending on the circumstances, compensation may include:
Medical treatment and ongoing care
Serious digestive injuries or vision impairment often require extensive medical attention. Compensation may help cover:
- Emergency room visits and hospital stays
- Specialist care, including gastroenterology, ophthalmology, or neurology
- Diagnostic testing, such as gastric emptying studies or visual field exams
- Prescription medications, follow-up appointments, and long-term monitoring
- Future medical care related to ongoing or permanent complications
Lost income and reduced earning capacity
Many people are unable to work while undergoing treatment or managing chronic symptoms. Damages may account for:
- Lost wages during recovery or hospitalization
- Missed work due to ongoing medical appointments
- Reduced ability to work or earn income in the future if symptoms persist
Pain, suffering, and quality-of-life impact
Ozempic-related injuries can disrupt nearly every aspect of daily life. Compensation may reflect:
- Physical pain or discomfort
- Emotional distress related to chronic illness or sudden vision loss
- Loss of independence or ability to participate in normal activities
- Long-term lifestyle changes caused by dietary restrictions or visual impairment
Wrongful death damages
In cases where a loved one passed away due to complications related to Ozempic use, surviving family members may be able to pursue compensation for:
- Medical expenses incurred before death
- Funeral and burial costs
- Loss of financial support and companionship
The value of an Ozempic claim depends on many factors, including medical documentation, duration of use, and the extent of lasting harm. Our team at Slater & Zurz can review your situation and explain what types of compensation may be available based on your individual circumstances.
Don’t Wait. Act Now.
Experiencing serious health complications after taking a medication that was meant to help can be unsettling. Many people who develop gastroparesis or sudden vision loss after using semaglutide-based medications such as Ozempic, Wegovy, or Rybelsus are left searching for answers, often while managing ongoing medical care and uncertainty about what comes next.
At Slater & Zurz, we’re committed to helping individuals understand their options. Our team can review your semaglutide prescription history, medical records, and diagnosis to explain whether your experience may qualify for a semaglutide-related lawsuit, including claims involving Ozempic and related drugs. If your case meets the current criteria, we’ll guide you through the next steps and advocate for you throughout the process.
There are no upfront costs to get started. Slater & Zurz handles Ozempic and semaglutide cases on a contingency fee basis, which means legal fees are only paid if compensation is recovered on your behalf.
Take the first step by calling us at 330-762-0700 or fill out our form for a free, confidential case evaluation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ozempic Lawsuits
- I was told vision loss from Ozempic or Wegovy is “very rare.” Does that mean I don’t have a case?
- Not necessarily. Descriptions like “rare” refer to how often a side effect appears across large populations, not whether it can be serious or legally relevant when it does occur. Many semaglutide-related claims focus on whether patients were adequately warned about the risk of severe outcomes, such as permanent vision loss or gastroparesis, before taking the medication. If you experienced a serious complication after using Ozempic, Wegovy, or Rybelsus, your situation may still be worth reviewing, even if the condition is considered uncommon.
- I have sudden or unexplained vision loss after Ozempic or Wegovy, but I was never told it was NAION. Can I still qualify?
- Yes. Many people who experienced sudden or unexplained vision loss after taking semaglutide-based medications were not initially diagnosed with NAION. If you noticed sudden vision changes, especially in one eye, after using Ozempic, Wegovy, or Rybelsus, your medical records can be reviewed to determine whether further evaluation is appropriate.
- What if Ozempic was prescribed for weight loss?
- You may still qualify. Many Ozempic lawsuits involve individuals who were prescribed the medication for weight loss, including off-label use. Legal eligibility generally depends on the drug used, the timing of symptoms, and the resulting diagnosis, not solely on whether Ozempic was prescribed for diabetes or weight management.
- Do I need to stop taking Ozempic to file a claim?
- No. You do not need to stop taking Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus, or another semaglutide medication in order to explore your legal options. Decisions about continuing or discontinuing medication should always be made with your healthcare provider. Filing a semaglutide lawsuit is a separate legal matter and does not require changing your medical treatment plan.
- Will I need to go to court for an Ozempic lawsuit?
- Most people do not. Many semaglutide-related cases are part of federal multidistrict litigation (MDL), which helps coordinate claims without requiring individual court appearances. In many situations, cases are resolved through settlement discussions or negotiated outcomes. If a court appearance becomes necessary, we will prepare you and guide you through the process.
- How much does it cost to hire a lawyer for a semaglutide lawsuit?
- There are no upfront costs. Slater & Zurz handles Ozempic cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning legal fees are only paid if compensation is recovered on your behalf. A free case evaluation is available to help determine whether your claim may qualify.