Ozempic Lawsuit, Stomach Paralysis & Blindness Claims Explode—3,191 Cases Filed

As of February 2026, there are 3,191 personal injury lawsuits for gastroparesis, ileus and intestinal obstruction in MDL 3094 in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. There are now two separate MDLs for injuries from Ozempic and other GLP-1 drugs—one MDL for vision loss caused by NAION and one MDL for other injuries. No settlements have been reached, but bellwether trials determining payout values are expected in late 2026 or early 2027.

Some of these lawsuits will now have to be dismissed because victims who suffered through Gastroparesis may now be required to get a gastric emptying study and cannot rely on clinical observations alone. This February 2026 evidentiary ruling creates urgent deadlines for thousands of potential claimants.

What Ozempic Allegedly Did to Your Stomach and Eyes

A key injury in these lawsuits is gastroparesis. This causes severe vomiting, weight loss and ileus, where intestines stop functioning properly and risk blockage. According to court documents, gastroparesis is the most frequently listed injury in complaints filed as part of the GLP-1 product liability litigation (MDL -3094), which includes Ozempic claims.

In a hearing on January 13, 2026, Novo Nordisk’s attorney Katie Insogna gave a breakdown of injuries listed in lawsuits in the MDL. 75% of the lawsuits listed gastroparesis/stomach paralysis in the complaint, 18% listed ileus, 8% listed gallbladder complications, and 8% listed other severe gastrointestinal issues.

Additionally, sudden vision loss linked to non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) has emerged as a significant risk. NAION, sometimes called an “eye stroke,” occurs when blood stops flowing to the optic nerve, causing rapid, painless, and permanent vision loss or blindness.

The New Evidentiary Requirement That Changes Everything

As of January 19th, 2026, over 3,000 lawsuits have been filed against Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly in the Federal MDL alleging severe and often debilitating complications associated with the medications. Some of these lawsuits will now have to be dismissed because victims who suffered through Gastroparesis may now be required to get a gastric emptying study and cannot rely on clinical observations alone.

This means if you experienced gastroparesis symptoms but never received a formal gastric emptying study—a diagnostic test that measures how quickly food leaves your stomach—your case may not meet the new evidentiary standard Judge Karen Spencer Marston imposed in 2025.

Hundreds and perhaps thousands of potential Ozempic lawsuits for stomach paralysis were being held on the sidelines by various attorneys waiting for that evidentiary ruling from the MDL judge. Many of these lawyers and victims suffering through gastroparesis are now scrambling to get gastric emptying studies so they can stake a claim to a potential Ozempic payout.

Who Qualifies to File an Ozempic Lawsuit in 2026

Weight Loss drug (Ozempic / Mounjaro lawsuit et al.) criteria to qualify for lawsuit AS OF 02/10/2026: 1. Took a GLP-1 Drug (name brand drug / not compound version) manufactured by Novo Nordisk or Elli Lilly, 2. Must have one of the following diagnosis that required medical treatment or hospitalization.

Qualifying injuries include gastroparesis (stomach paralysis) confirmed by gastric emptying study, ileus or bowel obstruction with or without surgical treatment, NAION (non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy) causing vision loss or blindness, gallbladder disease requiring gallbladder removal, and severe pancreatitis requiring hospitalization.

If you’ve been vomiting for more than a few weeks, it’s worth giving us a call. Sometimes there are nuances, so if somebody has a few ER visits but was only vomiting for two or three weeks, that’s something we would look at.

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What Legal Claims Are Being Made Against Novo Nordisk

Failure to Warn: Lawsuits allege that Novo Nordisk failed to properly warn victims and medical professionals about the potential risks of Ozempic, particularly regarding severe gastrointestinal issues and vision loss. Failure to Conduct Long-Term Studies: Numerous lawsuits assert that the manufacturers failed to conduct proper long-term studies on the gastrointestinal complications caused by Ozempic. Aggressive and Misleading Marketing: Victims allege that the manufacturers aggressively marketed Ozempic without sufficiently disclosing severe side effects and complications.

In January 2025, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) added ileus warnings to Ozempic. The European Medicines Agency ordered updated warning labels in August 2024 to include vision loss and NAION risk, regulatory actions plaintiffs’ lawyers cite as validation of their claims.

Projected Settlement Amounts Based on Injury Severity

No Ozempic settlements have been finalized as of early 2026. The figures below are projections based on the severity of alleged injuries, comparable pharmaceutical mass tort outcomes (including Vioxx, Zantac, and opioid litigation), and analysis by legal experts.

Legal experts project Ozempic lawsuit settlement amounts ranging from $400,000-$700,000 for severe gastroparesis cases with gallbladder removal, while anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) vision loss claims could exceed $1 million due to permanent blindness.

Gastroparesis cases where the victim did not suffer much or long are unlikely to be worth a great deal. We predict the NAION cases will be worth a great deal. Gastroparesis cases will be valuable for victims who had a long-term course of permanent injury.

Individual case values depend on medical expenses, lost wages, pain duration, age at diagnosis, whether prescribed for diabetes or off-label weight loss, and evidence of corporate concealment.

Current Litigation Status and What Happens Next

Federal judge Karen S. Marston is presiding over the MDL. Expert discovery in the MDL is set to close in March 2026, with bellwether trials expected later this year.

The first Ozempic lawsuits were filed in August 2023, and more lawsuits continue to be filed today. The Ozempic lawsuit recorded an increase in total multidistrict litigation (MDL) cases from December 2025 to January 2026. The docket rose from 2,947 total cases in December 2025 to 3,063 total cases in January 2026, resulting in 116 new filings during the month.

On December 15, 2025, the Joint Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) approved a request to consolidate lawsuits filed by people who experienced vision loss after taking Ozempic and other GLP-1 drugs. The new litigation is called MDL No. 3163. Both MDLs are overseen by Judge Marston in Pennsylvania.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Ozempic lawsuit about?

Plaintiffs allege Novo Nordisk failed to warn patients and doctors about severe complications including gastroparesis (stomach paralysis), ileus (intestinal blockage), and NAION (sudden vision loss/blindness) caused by Ozempic and similar GLP-1 drugs.

Who qualifies to file an Ozempic lawsuit?

You must have taken a name-brand GLP-1 drug (not compound versions) manufactured by Novo Nordisk or Eli Lilly and suffered gastroparesis confirmed by gastric emptying study, ileus/bowel obstruction, NAION vision loss, gallbladder removal, or severe pancreatitis requiring hospitalization.

Is there a deadline to file?

No global settlements have been announced as of February 2026. Cases are still being filed. However, statutes of limitations vary by state—typically 2-3 years from injury discovery. Consult an attorney immediately to preserve your rights.

How much compensation might I receive?

Legal experts project $400,000-$700,000 for severe gastroparesis with gallbladder removal, while NAION vision loss claims could exceed $1 million. Actual amounts depend on injury severity, medical costs, lost wages, and bellwether trial outcomes expected in late 2026 or 2027.

When will settlements be paid?

Bellwether trials determining actual settlement values likely won’t begin until late 2026 or early 2027. Settlements typically follow bellwether results, meaning payments may not occur until 2027-2028 or later depending on trial outcomes and appeals.

Do I need proof of gastroparesis?

Yes. Victims who suffered through Gastroparesis may now be required to get a gastric emptying study and cannot rely on clinical observations alone. If you lack this diagnostic test, schedule one immediately with your gastroenterologist to meet evidentiary requirements.

Can I still file if I took compounded semaglutide?

Must have taken a GLP-1 Drug (name brand drug / not compound version) manufactured by Novo Nordisk or Elli Lilly. Compound pharmacy versions typically don’t qualify for the MDL litigation against manufacturers.

Last Updated: February 16, 2026

This article is informational only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified attorney for specific guidance about your Ozempic injury claim.

Protect your health and legal rights. If you suffered gastroparesis or vision loss after taking Ozempic, consult a product liability attorney to evaluate your case before statutes of limitations expire.

Stay informed, stay protected. — AllAboutLawyer.com

About the Author

Sarah Klein, JD, is a licensed attorney and legal content strategist with over 12 years of experience across civil, criminal, family, and regulatory law. At All About Lawyer, she covers a wide range of legal topics — from high-profile lawsuits and courtroom stories to state traffic laws and everyday legal questions — all with a focus on accuracy, clarity, and public understanding.
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