Ozempic Blindness Lawsuit

Ozempic has become one of the most prescribed medications in the United States, with millions of patients using it for diabetes management and weight loss purposes.

Recent scientific research has revealed alarming connections between this popular drug and serious vision problems that can lead to permanent blindness.

The emergence of non-arthritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) cases among Ozempic users has prompted widespread concern and legal action against manufacturer Novo Nordisk.

What is Ozempic and How Does It Work?

Ozempic, containing the active ingredient semaglutide, belongs to a class of medications known as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists.

The Food and Drug Administration approved Ozempic in December 2017 to treat diabetes, specifically Type 2, marking an advancement in diabetes care.

This injectable medication works by mimicking a natural hormone that regulates blood sugar levels and slows gastric emptying, which helps control appetite and helps patients lose weight.

The GLP-1 receptor agonist works through multiple pathways in the body:

• Stimulating insulin production when blood sugar levels rise
• Reducing glucagon release from the pancreas
• Slowing the movement of food through the digestive system
• Sending signals to the brain that create feelings of fullness
• Regulating appetite centers in the hypothalamus

Related medications containing semaglutide have expanded the drug’s market reach.

Wegovy, approved by the FDA in June 2021 as a weight management drug, provides higher doses specifically for obese and overweight patients.

Rybelsus offers an oral formulation for those who prefer not to use injections, becoming the first oral GLP-1 receptor agonist approved for diabetes treatment.

Market data reveals the extraordinary popularity of these medications, with prescriptions exceeding 3 million annually in 2024 alone.

The pharmaceutical industry reports that approximately 19 million Americans have used GLP-1 medications for diabetes and chronic weight management, generating over $8 billion in annual sales for Ozempic specifically.

This widespread adoption has made semaglutide one of the most financially successful diabetes medications in history.

If you or a loved one experienced vision loss or NAION after taking Ozempic, you may be eligible to seek compensation.

Contact TruLaw using the chat on this page to receive an instant case evaluation and determine whether you qualify to join others in filing an Ozempic blindness lawsuit today.

The Emergence of Vision-Related Side Effects

The discovery of serious vision problems associated with Ozempic represents a troubling development that wasn’t apparent during initial clinical trials.

The medical community began noticing unusual patterns of vision loss among their patients using semaglutide medications, particularly cases of NAION that seemed to occur at higher rates than expected in the general population.

These observations raised serious concerns that prompted researchers at Massachusetts Eye and Ear, a Harvard teaching hospital, to conduct a comprehensive investigation.

Researchers documented these milestones in uncovering the vision risks:

• Summer 2023: Three NAION cases presented at Mass Eye and Ear within a short period, all involving semaglutide users
• July 2024: Publication of the landmark Harvard study in JAMA Ophthalmology revealing increased NAION risk
• December 2024: Danish researchers published supporting studies involving over 424,000 patients
• 2025: Multiple international studies confirmed the association between semaglutide and vision problems

The pivotal Harvard study analyzed medical records from 16,827 patients treated between 2017 and 2023, comparing those prescribed semaglutide against patients using other diabetes or weight loss medications.

Researchers discovered that diabetic patients taking semaglutide faced a four-fold increased risk of developing NAION, while those using it for weight management experienced an even more alarming seven-fold increase in risk.

Clinical trials conducted before FDA approval failed to identify these serious vision risks for several reasons.

The relatively rare occurrence of NAION in the general population, affecting approximately 10 per 100,000 people over age 50 annually, meant that standard clinical trials weren’t large enough to detect this adverse drug reaction.

Additionally, the condition typically develops months or even years after starting treatment, beyond the timeframe of most pre-approval studies.

The distinction between mild vision changes initially reported and serious NAION cases has become increasingly clear through post-market surveillance.

While some patients experienced temporary blurred vision or minor visual disturbances that resolved without permanent damage, NAION represents a fundamentally different and far more serious condition.

This type of optic nerve damage often results in permanent, irreversible vision loss that impacts patients’ quality of life and ability to work.

Non-arteritic anterior optic ischemic neuropathy represents one of the most serious vision complications now associated with Ozempic use, affecting thousands of Americans annually.

Blood flow blockage to the optic nerve triggers this condition, resulting in abrupt and typically irreversible vision loss that strikes without any preceding symptoms.

The medical mechanisms and recognizing the symptoms of NAION has become increasingly important for patients taking semaglutide medications who may face elevated risks of developing this devastating condition.

The Medical Science Behind NAION

NAION develops when the small blood vessels supplying the front portion of the optic nerve, specifically the short posterior ciliary arteries, fail to deliver adequate oxygen and nutrients to nerve tissue.

The National Eye Institute classifies this condition as an ischemic event, similar to a stroke affecting the optic nerve, where interrupted blood flow causes immediate and irreversible damage to nerve fibers responsible for transmitting visual information from the eye to the brain.

The anatomical concept of a “disc-at-risk” plays a fundamental role in why certain individuals develop NAION.

This term describes an optic nerve head with specific structural characteristics that increase vulnerability to blood flow disruption.

Approximately 97% of NAION patients have these anatomical features, which create conditions where normal variations in blood pressure or circulation can trigger catastrophic vision loss.

Patients with disc-at-risk anatomy display these characteristic features:

• Small optic disc diameter (less than 1.2 millimeters)
• Minimal or absent physiological cup (cup-to-disc ratio of 0.2 or less)
• Crowded arrangement of approximately 1.2 million nerve fibers
• Limited space for axons to exit through the lamina cribrosa
• Increased susceptibility to compartment syndrome effects

The pathophysiological mechanism underlying NAION involves a cascade of events beginning with initial hypoperfusion of the optic nerve head.

When blood flow decreases, nerve fibers swell due to lack of oxygen, creating what researchers describe as a compartment syndrome within the rigid confines of the optic disc.

This swelling further compresses surrounding blood vessels, establishing a vicious cycle of increasing ischemia and progressive nerve damage.

Recent research suggests that semaglutide medications may contribute to NAION development through multiple potential mechanisms.

These drugs affect blood pressure regulation, potentially causing nocturnal hypotension that reduces optic nerve perfusion during sleep.

Additionally, GLP-1 receptor agonists influence vascular autoregulation and may alter the delicate balance of blood flow control in susceptible individuals with anatomical risk factors.

The crowded disc anatomy found in most NAION patients means there is no safety margin when blood flow disruption occurs.

Unlike individuals with larger optic discs who might tolerate minor circulatory changes, those with disc-at-risk features experience rapid progression from initial ischemia to permanent nerve damage, often within hours of the triggering event.

Symptoms and Characteristics of NAION

NAION typically presents as sudden, painless vision loss that patients often discover immediately upon waking in the morning, reflecting the role of nocturnal blood pressure changes in triggering the condition.

The North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society emphasizes that this characteristic presentation differs markedly from other causes of vision loss, making prompt recognition and diagnosis possible when healthcare providers understand the condition’s unique features.

NAION patients typically experience the following symptoms:

• Sudden, painless vision loss typically noticed upon waking
• Altitudinal visual field defects (loss of upper or lower half of vision)
• Decreased color vision (dyschromatopsia) and light sensitivity
• Reduced contrast sensitivity
• Relative afferent pupillary defect (Marcus Gunn pupil)
• Visual acuity ranging from mild blurring to complete blindness

The unilateral nature of initial NAION presentation means most patients experience vision loss in one eye while maintaining normal vision in the other.

However, the condition carries a risk of bilateral involvement, with approximately 15% of patients developing NAION in their second eye within five years of the initial event.

This risk of fellow eye involvement creates ongoing anxiety for patients who have already lost vision in one eye.

Examination findings during the acute phase reveal characteristic optic disc swelling with peripapillary hemorrhages, often described as a pale, swollen disc with blurred margins.

The swelling typically resolves over 6 to 12 weeks, leaving behind optic atrophy and permanent visual field defects.

Unlike inflammatory conditions affecting the optic nerve, NAION causes no eye pain or discomfort, which can delay patients from seeking immediate medical attention.

Visual field testing in NAION patients reveals various patterns of vision loss, though altitudinal defects affecting either the superior or inferior visual field occur most commonly.

This pattern reflects the anatomical arrangement of blood vessels supplying different portions of the optic nerve head, with separate vascular territories for upper and lower nerve segments.

Some patients experience central scotomas or arcuate defects that impact their ability to read, drive, or perform detailed visual tasks.

If you or a loved one experienced sudden, painless vision loss after taking Ozempic, particularly if noticed upon waking, you may be eligible to seek compensation.

Contact TruLaw using the chat on this page to receive an instant case evaluation and determine whether you qualify to join others in filing an Ozempic vision loss lawsuit today.

The prognosis for visual recovery in NAION remains poor, with most patients experiencing permanent vision loss despite treatment attempts.

Studies show that only 41% of patients with initial visual acuity of 20/70 or better experience any improvement, and complete recovery rarely occurs.

This permanent nature of NAION-related vision loss underscores the devastating impact on patients’ quality of life and their ability to maintain independence.

Multiple large-scale studies from leading research institutions worldwide have established concerning connections between semaglutide use and increased NAION risk, transforming what began as anecdotal observations into scientifically documented evidence.

The convergence of findings from Harvard Medical School, Danish universities, and international research networks has created mounting pressure on regulatory agencies and pharmaceutical companies to address these vision safety concerns.

These studies collectively analyzed millions of patient records, providing robust statistical evidence that patients taking Ozempic face elevated risks of developing this potentially blinding condition.

The Landmark Harvard Study of 2024

The groundbreaking research published in JAMA Ophthalmology on July 3, 2024, analyzed medical records from 16,827 patients treated at Massachusetts Eye and Ear between 2017 and 2023, establishing the first major scientific link between semaglutide and NAION.

Led by Dr. Jimena Tatiana Hathaway and colleagues from Harvard Medical School, this meticulously designed study compared NAION incidence rates between patients prescribed semaglutide and those taking alternative medications for diabetes or weight management.

The study’s methodology involved careful propensity score matching to account for confounding factors including age, sex, hypertension, and other NAION risk factors.

Researchers divided patients into two distinct cohorts: 710 individuals with Type 2 diabetes and 979 patients who were overweight or obese, then tracked NAION development over a 36-month observation period.

The groundbreaking Harvard research revealed these concerning statistics:

• Diabetic patients on semaglutide showed a 4.28-fold increased NAION risk (hazard ratio 4.28; 95% CI, 1.62-11.29)yy6
• Weight loss patients faced an even higher 7.64-fold increased risk (95% CI, 2.21-26.36)
• Cumulative NAION incidence of 8.9% for diabetic semaglutide users versus 1.8% for other medications
• 17 NAION events in diabetic semaglutide users compared to 6 in the control group
• 20 NAION events in weight loss semaglutide users versus only 3 in controls

The research originated from clinical observations when three NAION patients presented within a short timeframe during summer 2023, all of whom were taking semaglutide.

Dr. Joseph Rizzo, director of the neuro-ophthalmology service at Mass Eye and Ear, recognized this unusual pattern and initiated the comprehensive investigation that would reveal the medication’s vision risks.

While the study acknowledged limitations inherent to observational research and emphasized that causation cannot be definitively established, the American Academy of Ophthalmology and North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society issued joint statements confirming that the Harvard team’s careful analysis identified a potential link warranting serious attention and further investigation.

The temporal association proved particularly concerning, with increased NAION risk appearing highest within the first year of semaglutide treatment.

This timing pattern suggests a direct relationship between drug initiation and optic nerve damage, though the exact biological mechanisms remain under investigation by researchers worldwide.

Supporting Research and International Studies

The December 2024 publication of two independent Danish studies involving over 424,000 Type 2 diabetes patients has substantially reinforced the Harvard findings, establishing Denmark as a center for semaglutide safety research.

Published in the International Journal of Retina and Vitreous, the University of Southern Denmark research led by Professor Jakob Grauslund represents the largest population-based investigation of semaglutide and NAION risk conducted to date.

Analysis of Denmark’s comprehensive diabetes database demonstrated:

• Analysis of all 424,152 Danish citizens with Type 2 diabetes between 2018 and 2024
• 106,454 patients exposed to once-weekly semaglutide versus 317,698 unexposed
• Hazard ratio of 2.19 (95% CI, 1.54-3.12) for NAION development
• More than doubling of five-year NAION risk among semaglutide users
• Consistent findings across multiple sensitivity analyses

A parallel Danish-Norwegian cohort study examining 61,377 semaglutide users found similarly concerning results, with an adjusted hazard ratio of 2.81 (95% CI 1.67-4.75) when compared to SGLT-2 inhibitor users.

The incidence rate of NAION was 2.19 per 10,000 person-years among Danish semaglutide initiators, nearly double that of comparison groups.

If you or a loved one developed NAION or experienced vision loss while taking Ozempic, particularly if you were using it for weight management, you may be eligible to seek compensation.

Contact TruLaw using the chat on this page to receive an instant case evaluation and determine whether you qualify to join others in filing an Ozempic lawsuit today.

The Observational Health Data Sciences and Informatics (OHDSI) network conducted an expansive analysis encompassing 37.1 million adults with Type 2 diabetes across 14 international databases, published in February 2025.

This massive multicenter study included 810,390 new semaglutide users and found NAION incidence rates of 14.5 per 100,000 person-years among semaglutide patients, with increased risks particularly evident at the 2-year, 3-year, and 4-year timepoints following treatment initiation.

International regulatory responses have begun reflecting the mounting evidence, with the Danish Medicines Agency acknowledging the findings and the World Health Organization’s Advisory Committee on Safety of Medicinal Products recommending in June 2025 that NAION be added as a potential risk in semaglutide’s Risk Management Plan.

The European Medicines Agency’s Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee concluded that NAION represents a “very rare side effect” of semaglutide medicines, though public health advocates and patient groups argue this classification understates the risk given the condition’s devastating consequences.

These converging international studies, involving millions of patients across multiple countries and healthcare systems, have transformed initial safety concerns into documented evidence requiring urgent attention from healthcare providers, patients, and legal professionals representing those harmed by these medications.

The legal landscape surrounding Ozempic vision loss claims has rapidly evolved from isolated cases into a massive federal litigation that continues expanding as more patients discover connections between their blindness and semaglutide use.

With over 1,800 cases now consolidated in federal court and thousands more under investigation, the litigation represents one of the fastest-growing pharmaceutical mass torts in recent history.

While the multidistrict litigation initially focused on gastrointestinal injuries, the emergence of NAION claims has added a new dimension to the legal battle against drug manufacturers Novo Nordisk and other GLP-1 companies.

Federal Multidistrict Litigation Status

Multidistrict Litigation 3094, formally titled “In Re: Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists (GLP-1 RAs) Products Liability Litigation,” was established in February 2024 in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, consolidating cases from across the nation alleging injuries from Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus, Mounjaro, and Trulicity.

Judge Karen Spencer Marston assumed leadership of the MDL in June 2024 following the death of Judge Gene E.K. Pratter, inheriting a rapidly expanding docket that has grown from 55 initial cases to over 1,882 pending actions as of June 2025.

The multidistrict litigation has reached several procedural milestones:

• Over 1,300 active cases as of December 2024, with 79 new filings in November alone
• Monthly in-person status conferences with leadership counsel
• Rule 702 (Daubert) hearing scheduled for May 20, 2025, addressing expert testimony admissibility
• Science Day held in June 2024 for presentation of medical and scientific evidence
• Plaintiff leadership estimating 7,000 additional cases under active investigation

The consolidation provides benefits for plaintiffs by streamlining discovery, coordinating expert testimony, and creating consistency in pretrial rulings.

Judge Marston has implemented standardized filing procedures, including short-form complaints that allow new plaintiffs to efficiently join the litigation while maintaining individual damage claims.

The court has also established a plaintiff steering committee and executive committee to coordinate litigation strategy and manage the massive document production expected from defendants.

The discovery phase has revealed internal documents from Novo Nordisk and other manufacturers, with plaintiffs alleging that companies possessed knowledge of vision risks dating back to clinical trials but chose not to adequately warn consumers through updated warning labels.

A pivotal November 2024 court order set deadlines for expert reports, with plaintiffs submitting their initial reports on November 18, 2024, and defendants responding by December 23, 2024.

Legal analysts project that the litigation could ultimately involve tens of thousands of claimants, with potential liability exceeding $2 billion based on severe injuries and the widespread use of these medications.

The May 2025 Rule 702 hearing will prove instrumental in determining which expert opinions on causation will be admissible, potentially shaping the viability of thousands of claims.

Please be advised that the projected potential liability figure mentioned above is a general estimation and is not guaranteed.

This projection is based on legal analysts’ assessments considering the number of potential claimants and severity of injuries reported.

This figure is meant to provide context about the litigation’s scope and should not be taken as a definitive prediction of actual settlement outcomes.

Individual case values will vary considerably based on specific circumstances.

Contact TruLaw using the chat on this page to receive an instant case evaluation for your specific situation.

Recent Individual Lawsuit Developments

The case of Todd Engel, a 62-year-old Maryland resident who experienced sudden blindness after taking Ozempic, exemplifies the devastating personal impact driving individual lawsuits against Novo Nordisk.

Filed in April 2025 in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Middlesex County, Engel’s lawsuit alleges that he was prescribed Ozempic in August 2023 for diabetes management and diagnosed with NAION just four months later in December 2023, resulting in permanent vision loss that forced him to resign from his job and surrender his driving privileges.

Todd Engel’s lawsuit advances multiple legal theories against Novo Nordisk:

• Failure to warn despite knowledge from clinical trials and adverse event reports
• Design defect in creating a drug with unreasonable vision risks
• Gross negligence in marketing without adequate safety disclosures
• Deceptive marketing practices violating consumer protection laws
• Breach of warranty under New Jersey and Maryland state laws

Attorney Daniel Lapinski, representing Engel, stated that “Mr. Engel, like many others, took Ozempic believing it was a safe and effective diabetes treatment.

His lawsuit is about accountability – ensuring companies put patient safety before corporate profit.”

The complaint specifically alleges that Novo Nordisk had access to information identifying NAION cases during clinical trials yet chose not to list the condition on warning labels.

If you or a loved one developed permanent vision loss or NAION after taking Ozempic for diabetes or weight management, you may be eligible to seek compensation.

Contact TruLaw using the chat on this page to receive an instant case evaluation and determine whether you qualify to join others in filing an NAION Ozempic lawsuit today.

Additional individual cases have emerged nationwide, with at least nine patients represented by various firms including a Long Island resident by Parker Waichman LLP who developed irreversible NAION after Ozempic use.

These cases consistently allege that Novo Nordisk prioritized profits over patient safety, engaging in aggressive marketing campaigns while concealing known vision risks.

The FDA’s Adverse Events Reporting System shows hundreds of eye disorder reports tied to Ozempic in 2024 alone, though the agency notes this data requires independent verification.

State-level litigation has also intensified, with New Jersey emerging as a key jurisdiction due to Novo Nordisk’s headquarters location there.

Plaintiffs are pursuing claims under state consumer fraud acts and product liability theories, arguing that the company’s conduct violates both federal regulations and state consumer protection standards.

The potential for state-level multicounty litigation in New Jersey could create parallel proceedings alongside the federal MDL.

While vision loss represents the newest frontier in Ozempic litigation, gastrointestinal injuries including gastroparesis remain the foundation of the multidistrict litigation, with these cases comprising the majority of current claims against Novo Nordisk.

Gastroparesis claims initiated the mass tort in 2023 and continue driving legal action as patients report devastating digestive complications that permanently altered their lives.

Examining these parallel claims provides context for the expanding scope of Ozempic litigation and the pattern of alleged corporate negligence in failing to warn about serious adverse effects.

Exploring Gastroparesis from Ozempic

Gastroparesis, commonly known as stomach paralysis, occurs when the stomach muscles fail to function properly, preventing normal digestion and causing food to remain in the stomach for extended periods.

The condition creates severe symptoms including chronic nausea, persistent vomiting, abdominal pain, malnutrition, and dangerous weight loss that ironically reverses any intended benefits of the medication.

For Ozempic users, this paralysis appears linked to the drug’s mechanism of slowing gastric emptying, which in some patients progresses to complete stomach dysfunction.

Patients have reported severe gastrointestinal complications including:

• Gastroparesis requiring hospitalization and feeding tubes
• Intestinal blockage (ileus) necessitating emergency surgery
• Cyclic vomiting syndrome causing severe dehydration
• Gallbladder disease requiring cholecystectomy
• Pancreatitis with potential for chronic complications
• Severe constipation leading to bowel obstruction

The first major lawsuit filed by Jaclyn Bjorklund in August 2023 alleged that she developed severe gastroparesis after taking Ozempic and Mounjaro, experiencing symptoms so debilitating that she required hospitalization and could no longer maintain normal nutrition.

Her case catalyzed hundreds of similar claims from patients who reported that their digestive systems shut down after using GLP-1 medications, transforming a diabetes or weight loss treatment into a life-altering disability.

Medical experts involved in the litigation argue that while Ozempic’s label mentioned potential gastrointestinal side effects, it failed to disclose all the risks including permanent stomach paralysis or the severity of digestive complications some patients would experience.

The distinction between temporary nausea and permanent gastroparesis represents a fundamental failure in risk communication that left patients unable to make informed treatment decisions.

MDL 3094 and Gastrointestinal Injury Cases

The gastrointestinal injury cases form the backbone of the Ozempic MDL 3094, with these claims establishing the procedural framework now being used for vision loss cases.

As of August 2025, stomach paralysis and related digestive injuries account for the vast majority of the 1,800+ pending cases, though NAION claims are rapidly increasing.

The litigation has revealed internal communications suggesting manufacturers knew about severe gastrointestinal risks but minimized them in marketing materials and physician education.

Judge Marston’s November 2024 emphasis on gastric emptying studies reflects the court’s focus on establishing diagnostic criteria for gastroparesis, an issue given that some patients experience symptoms without formal medical testing.

The defendants have challenged whether plaintiffs can prove gastroparesis causation or even diagnosis, leading to intense disputes over what medical evidence suffices to establish injury.

This diagnostic debate parallels emerging questions about NAION diagnosis and will likely influence how vision loss claims proceed, potentially shaping each party’s early defense strategy in court.

The December 2024 expansion of the MDL to include Saxenda, another GLP-1 medication, demonstrates the litigation’s growing scope while the court’s rejection of blood clot claims shows judicial efforts to maintain manageable boundaries.

Plaintiff leadership projects that gastroparesis cases alone could generate thousands of additional filings as awareness spreads about the connection between GLP-1 drugs and permanent digestive dysfunction.

Settlement discussions for gastroparesis cases may establish frameworks applicable to vision loss claims, with legal experts suggesting that stomach paralysis settlements could range from $400,000 to over $1 million depending on severity, age, and impact on employment.

The parallel development of both injury tracks within the same MDL creates opportunities for coordinated discovery and shared expert testimony while maintaining distinct causation arguments for each type of harm.

Please be advised that the settlement ranges mentioned above for gastroparesis cases are general estimations and are not guaranteed.

These figures are based on legal experts’ opinions considering factors such as injury severity, patient age, and employment impact.

They are meant to provide a general framework of potential settlement values and should not be taken as definitive expectations for any individual case.

Your specific circumstances will determine actual compensation.

Contact TruLaw using the chat on this page to receive an instant case evaluation, with standard message and data rates applying to text communications.

Establishing eligibility for an Ozempic blindness lawsuit requires meeting specific medical, documentary, and temporal criteria that demonstrate both the use of semaglutide medications and the development of vision complications.

While each case presents unique circumstances, attorneys evaluating potential claims focus on key factors including the timing of NAION diagnosis, quality of medical documentation, and adherence to state-specific filing deadlines.

Knowing these requirements helps affected patients assess their legal options and take prompt action to preserve their rights before time-sensitive deadlines expire.

Qualifying Criteria and Medical Requirements

The foundation of any successful Ozempic blindness lawsuit rests on establishing clear connections between semaglutide use and NAION development, supported by comprehensive medical documentation from treating physicians and eye specialists.

Plaintiffs must demonstrate that they were prescribed and actually took Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus, or related weight loss drugs for either Type 2 diabetes management or obesity treatment, with pharmacy records serving as primary evidence of medication use.

To qualify for an Ozempic blindness lawsuit, plaintiffs must establish:

• Documented prescription and use of semaglutide-containing medications
• Diagnosis of NAION or documented sudden vision loss by an ophthalmologist
• Medical records establishing temporal relationship between drug use and vision problems
• Evidence that vision loss occurred during or after semaglutide treatment
• Absence of pre-existing conditions that independently explain the vision loss
• Documentation of attempts to seek medical treatment for vision symptoms

The timing of symptom onset proves particularly important, with most successful claims demonstrating NAION development within months to years of initiating semaglutide treatment.

Patients who experienced sudden, painless vision loss—especially if noticed immediately upon waking—present stronger cases, as this presentation aligns with established NAION characteristics documented in medical literature.

Ophthalmologic confirmation of NAION diagnosis requires specific clinical findings including optic disc swelling, visual field defects, and relative afferent pupillary defect.

Diagnostic testing such as optical coherence tomography (OCT), visual field testing, fluorescein angiography, and comprehensive eye examinations provide objective evidence supporting the diagnosis.

Neuro-ophthalmologist evaluations carry particular weight given their specialized expertise in optic nerve conditions.

Successful claims require comprehensive medical and administrative records:

• Complete pharmacy records showing prescription history including fills and refill dates
• Primary care physician notes documenting semaglutide prescribing rationale
• Emergency room or urgent care visits for vision problems
• Referral documentation to eye specialists
• Imaging studies and diagnostic test results
• Records of vision loss impact on employment and daily activities

Ruling out alternative causes strengthens eligibility, as defendants will argue that other factors caused the vision loss.

Medical records should address and exclude conditions such as giant cell arteritis, severe hypertension episodes, recent eye surgery, or other medications known to affect optic nerve function.

Patients with anatomical “disc-at-risk” features documented before semaglutide use may have particularly strong cases.

Legal experts estimate that NAION-related settlements could provide significant compensation ranging from $500,000 to over $1 million, with factors including the severity of vision loss, whether one or both eyes are affected, the patient’s age and occupation, impact on earning capacity, and quality of life changes.

Cases involving complete blindness or bilateral NAION typically command higher settlements due to the profound disability involved.

Please be advised that the estimated NAION-related settlement ranges mentioned above are general estimations and are not guaranteed.

These figures are based on legal experts’ analysis of factors including vision loss severity, bilateral involvement, age, occupation, and quality of life impacts.

They are meant to provide a general understanding of potential compensation ranges and should not be taken as definitive expectations for your case.

Actual settlement amounts will depend on your unique circumstances and case details.

Contact TruLaw using the chat on this page to receive an instant case evaluation.

Statute of Limitations and Legal Timeframes

The statute of limitations represents a rigid legal deadline that can permanently bar otherwise valid claims, making prompt action after NAION diagnosis absolutely necessary to preserve legal rights.

Most states enforce a two-year statute of limitations for pharmaceutical injury cases, though some extend this period to three years, while others may allow only one year from the date of injury discovery.

Statute of limitations deadlines vary across jurisdictions:

• Two-year limitations: California, Texas, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Illinois, Florida
• Three-year limitations: New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Maryland
• Variable periods: Delaware (2-3 years depending on discoverability)
• Special rules: Some states have different deadlines for wrongful death claims

The discovery rule, recognized in most jurisdictions, delays the start of the limitations period until the plaintiff knew or reasonably should have known about both the injury and its potential connection to Ozempic use.

This provision proves particularly valuable in NAION cases where patients may not immediately connect their vision loss to medication use, especially given that Ozempic labels did not warn about this risk.

If you or a loved one developed NAION or permanent vision loss after taking Ozempic and are approaching your state’s filing deadline, immediate legal consultation is needed to protect your rights.

Contact TruLaw using the chat on this page to receive an instant case evaluation and determine whether you qualify to join others in filing an Ozempic eye damage lawsuit today.

Courts apply the discovery rule differently across jurisdictions, with some requiring actual knowledge of the medication link while others impose constructive knowledge based on when a reasonable person would have investigated the connection.

The publication of the Harvard study in July 2024 may trigger constructive knowledge in some states, potentially starting the limitations clock for patients who had already experienced vision loss.

Statutes of repose create absolute deadlines regardless of discovery, though most states exempt pharmaceutical cases from these provisions or apply extended periods recognizing the latent nature of drug injuries.

Federal MDL participation doesn’t extend state law deadlines, making it imperative to file within applicable state timeframes even when pursuing federal consolidation.

Special circumstances may toll or extend limitation periods, including minority status for patients under 18, mental incapacity preventing awareness of legal rights, fraudulent concealment by the manufacturer, or continuous treatment doctrine in some jurisdictions.

However, relying on these exceptions without legal guidance risks missing deadlines that could forever bar compensation claims.

Our Ozempic attorney at TruLaw is dedicated to supporting clients through the process of filing an Ozempic lawsuit.

With extensive experience in dangerous drug and pharmaceutical litigation cases, Jessica Paluch-Hoerman and our partner law firms work with litigation leaders and medical experts to prove how Ozempic (semaglutide) injections caused you harm.

TruLaw focuses on securing financial compensation for medical expenses, hospitalization costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages resulting from your Ozempic-related injuries including gastroparesis, intestinal blockages, gallbladder issues, and other severe gastrointestinal complications.

We understand the physical and emotional toll that Ozempic complications including severe gastrointestinal injuries have on your life and provide the personalized guidance you need when seeking justice.

Meet the Lead Ozempic Attorney at TruLaw

Meet our lead Ozempic attorney:

• Jessica Paluch-Hoerman: As founder and managing attorney of TruLaw, Jessica brings her experience in pharmaceutical litigation and personal injury to her client-centered approach by prioritizing open communication and personalized attention with her clients. Through TruLaw and partner law firms, Jessica has helped collect over $3 billion on behalf of injured individuals across all 50 states through verdicts and negotiated settlements.

How much does hiring an Ozempic lawyer from TruLaw cost?

At TruLaw, we believe financial concerns should never stand in the way of justice.

That’s why we operate on a contingency fee basis—with this approach, you only pay legal fees after you’ve been awarded compensation for your injuries.

If you or a loved one experienced severe gastrointestinal complications, gastroparesis, intestinal blockages, gallbladder problems, or other serious health issues after using Ozempic for diabetes management or weight loss, you may be eligible to seek compensation.

Contact TruLaw using the chat on this page to receive an instant case evaluation and determine whether you qualify to join others in filing an Ozempic lawsuit today.

Ozempic lawsuits are being filed by individuals across the country who suffered severe gastrointestinal complications and other serious health problems after using the diabetes and weight-loss medication.

TruLaw is currently accepting clients for the Ozempic lawsuit.

A few reasons to choose TruLaw for your Ozempic lawsuit include:

• If We Don’t Win, You Don’t Pay: The Ozempic lawyers at TruLaw and our partner firms operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning we only get paid if you win.
• Expertise: We have decades of experience handling dangerous drugs cases similar to the Ozempic lawsuit.
• Successful Track Record: TruLaw and our partner law firms have helped our clients recover billions of dollars in compensation through verdicts and negotiated settlements.

If you or a loved one developed gastroparesis, intestinal blockages, gallbladder problems, persistent vomiting, or other severe gastrointestinal complications after using Ozempic for diabetes management or weight loss, you may be eligible to seek compensation.

Contact TruLaw using the chat on this page to receive an instant case evaluation that can determine if you qualify to join others in filing an Ozempic lawsuit today.