Ozempic Vision Loss Lawsuits May Be Consolidated in New Jersey Federal Court
New Brunswick, NJ – Federal lawsuits alleging permanent vision loss linked to Ozempic and similar drugs could soon be streamlined into a single process, as a hearing is scheduled next month to determine whether to consolidate the cases as multidistrict litigation (MDL). This consolidation woudl centralize all federal vision loss claims before a single judge,potentially expediting the legal process and facilitating broader settlement negotiations.
The move comes amid a growing number of lawsuits claiming that Ozempic, Wegovy, Saxenda, and Victoza can lead to Non-Arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy (NAION), a condition causing rapid, painless, and permanent vision loss due to restricted blood flow to the optic nerve. MDLs are designed to efficiently manage complex litigation with numerous plaintiffs facing similar issues. This process frequently enough culminates in “bellwether” trials – representative cases heard by a jury – whose outcomes can significantly influence settlement discussions. An MDL is already underway for Ozempic lawsuits concerning gastroparesis and other intestinal problems.
A recent study analyzing over 100,000 diabetes patients revealed that individuals taking GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic were up to 68 times more likely to develop NAION compared to those taking other medications. These findings were presented last month to the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
Attorneys are actively investigating additional cases involving individuals who experienced sudden vision loss after using these drugs. The consolidation hearing will determine if the federal cases will be transferred for coordinated proceedings.
