Ozempic, generically referred to as semaglutide, is a diabetic drug specifically prescribed for type 2 diabetes. However, despite its ability to help manage diabetes, this medicine has been associated with serious side effects. Due to this, several lawsuits have cropped up, with users suing the manufacturer Novo Nordisk for failure to provide adequate warning, among other reasons.

However, not all patients taking Ozempic are qualified to bring a suit, even in cases of adverse effects. Understanding whether you qualify is crucial before proceeding. This blog provides a general overview of the eligibility requirements for bringing an Ozempic suit, particularly for patients taking diabetes drugs, those feeling abdominal pain, and those seeking attorneys. An attorney plays an invaluable role in evaluating whether you satisfy the criteria required for a lawsuit, so you need to consult one.

Who Is Eligible for Filing the Ozempic Suit?

Eligibility is essential in lawsuits, class-action suits, and multi-district litigations (MDLs). That is because it establishes whether a person can file a lawsuit or be included in the class or MDL and, eventually, recover damages. To be eligible to bring the Ozempic suit or be part of the ongoing MDL, you generally must meet particular criteria. The eligibility requirements you need to satisfy the criteria include the following:

  • You need to have used Ozempic. To qualify for a lawsuit, you need to have been prescribed and used the Ozempic medication or any other GLP-1 receptor agonist drug like Saxenda, Rybelsus, Trulicity, Wegovy, Zepbound, or Mounjaro. You should have developed a specific serious side effect like cyclic vomiting syndrome, paralysis, bowel obstruction, gastroparesis, or another severe health problem. You can verify evidence that you used Ozempic via pharmacy receipts, doctors’ notes, or prescription records.
  • Diagnosis of particular conditions. A medical professional must have diagnosed you with a severe medical condition connected to Ozempic use. Provide medical records confirming your diagnosis to strengthen your case in terms of qualification. The most prevalent qualifying diagnosed conditions include the following:
    • Gallbladder issues. These include conditions like acute gallbladder disease or gallstones, which may require surgical removal.
    • Bowel obstruction or intestinal blockage. This is a severe gastrointestinal condition that might necessitate urgent medical treatment.
    • Cyclic vomiting syndrome. This is when you have cycles of severe exhaustion, vomiting, and nausea that can last from a few hours to up to a few days. It requires a medical diagnosis for purposes of Ozempic lawsuit filing.
    • Gastroparesis. A condition characterized by severe stomach paralysis. This condition is frequently included in Ozempic claims, and a diagnosis must exist to support it. The condition is usually confirmed via a gastric emptying test.
    • Other gastrointestinal-related injuries. Refers to any other complications in the digestive system associated with Ozempic use.
    • You must have evidence that you underwent medical treatment. You must have documented medical records showing that you used Ozempic and the drug led to the emergence of adverse medical conditions. Also, have medical records indicating you underwent treatment for those conditions. These include records for emergency room visits, consultation with medical specialists such as a gastroenterologist, and hospital stays.
    • There must be an explicit connection between your health issue and Ozempic. You must be able to establish a direct link between your use of the medication and the medical complications you have experienced.
  • Consistency with suit claims. Your experience with Ozempic should align with the accusations against the drug manufacturer, Novo Nordisk, especially concerning insufficient warnings and the severe resulting side effects.
  • You must have filed your claim within the applicable statute of limitations.

A skilled dangerous drug lawyer can work closely with you to ensure you satisfy all the required conditions to file a lawsuit or be included in the MDL. The lawyer will also fight for you, negotiating with the drug manufacturer’s legal team to obtain the most favorable results for your case.

Essential Factors In Your Case

Regarding the Ozempic MDL, the court will look at multiple key elements in establishing your case's strength and the possible compensation amount you might receive. These factors include the following:

  • The seriousness of your Ozempic-related side effects. The more debilitating and severe your health problems due to Ozempic, the more compelling your case will be.
  • The extent and duration of taking Ozempic. The longer you had used the Ozempic drug and the higher your dosage was, the stronger your case would be.
  • The effect on your financial well-being and quality of life. Your capability to prove the tangible, significant effects that the Ozempic-related medical issues caused will be critical.
  • The strength of your medical documents. Comprehensive doctor reports and records will significantly support your case.
  • The particular legal strategies and arguments your attorney employs. Your lawyer's experience and skill will be essential to your claim’s success.

Working with a lawyer will help ensure all these elements are thoroughly assessed and used to your advantage.

Proving Harm and Incurred Damages

To be eligible for the Ozempic suit, you must show that your Ozempic use led to significant harm, affecting your life and possibly needing medical intervention. The evidence assists in substantiating your allegations and supporting your qualifications to pursue damages. Apart from medical documents and reports, other evidence that can boost your qualification for the lawsuit includes the following:

  • Evidence of lost income. The side effects related to Ozempic can make a person weak. If any of these side effects stop you from going to work, you can include lost income in your lawsuit.
  • Records of continued treatment. Undergoing medical treatment is expensive. By availing treatment invoices and receipts, you can claim financial losses caused by extended medical costs and even pursue damages for future treatment bills associated with Ozempic’s side effects.
  • Rehabilitative care. A prolonged treatment could also indicate diminished quality of life and level of function. By demonstrating your decreased life quality and capacity because of the side effects of Ozempic, you can determine your qualification for the suits and claim a great settlement later.

The compensation amount you may earn from the Ozempic suit can change depending on the recoverable damages in a particular case. Mostly, damages are limited to non-economic and economic.

Economic damages compensate for the losses for which it is easy to attach a dollar value. They include medical bills, lost wages, and lost earning capacity. Non-economic damages compensate for the intangible losses, for which it is challenging to assign a dollar value. Examples include pain and suffering, and lack of enjoyment of life.

The court may also award punitive damages to punish the defendant for its malicious actions and deter other manufacturers from committing those actions.

Documents You Need to Join the Ozempic MDL

You want to collect the required documentation if you qualify to bring an Ozempic suit. These documents will support your case and assist in determining the connection between your Ozempic use and the resulting side effects. To develop a compelling case, some things you will require are the following:

  • Ozempic prescriptions. Be armed with information regarding when a healthcare professional prescribed the drug, the duration you took it, and the particular dosage information.
  • Treatment records. You should have records of your treatment for the conditions you suffered, like hospital visits, prescribed medications, and surgeries. Physician notes discussing your treatments, symptoms, and the supposed connection to Ozempic are also essential.
  • Medical records. They should explain comprehensively your health before and after taking Ozempic, including all the diagnoses linked to cyclic vomiting syndrome, bowel obstruction, gastroparesis, or other serious side effects.
  • Communication with medical providers. Present any conversation between you and your doctors regarding your medical condition and Ozempic use. This may include appointment summaries, messages, and emails.

Keep records of any communication with drug manufacturers and healthcare providers to strengthen your claim.

Steps to Join the Ozempic Multi-District Litigation

If you wish to join the Ozempic multi-district litigation, you must follow the right steps to ensure the correct assessment of your claim and its inclusion in the litigation. The steps of joining the Ozempic Multi-district litigation include the following:

  • Consulting a skilled product liability lawyer. It is critical to work with a knowledgeable product liability lawyer. The lawyer will assess your case, assist in collecting the required documentation, establish whether you qualify, and advise on the best steps forward.
  • Collect relevant documents. Gather any prescriptions, medical records, and other documentation associated with your Ozempic use and the resulting side effects.
  • Filing your claim. Your attorney will file your claim within the multi-district litigation framework. They will ensure the case is consolidated with other similar cases.
  • Explain your experience in detail. Be ready to share your journey with Ozempic, your side effects, and how the drug affected your health. Keeping a weekly or daily journal can be beneficial.
  • Taking part in the legal process. Ensure you stay involved and updated as your claim proceeds in multi-district litigation. Be up-to-date with the latest developments in the case by frequently checking reputable legal websites and news sources. Your attorney will help you navigate through every step, from your initial filing to possible settlement negotiations.

Disqualifying Factors

Whereas you might have a legitimate claim, certain factors may disqualify you from filing the Ozempic suit or joining a class-action lawsuit. These generally include the following:

  • Active cancer treatment. Undergoing cancer treatment might impact your eligibility.
  • Prior gastric surgeries. If you have ever done gastric sleeve surgery, gastric banding, or gastric bypass surgery, you may be disqualified from filing an Ozempic lawsuit or joining the MDL.
  • Gallbladder-related problems after March 2022. You might not qualify to pursue damages for the extraction of the gallbladder or associated complications if you started using Ozempic after the manufacturer updated the warning label in March 2022.
  • You have used a compounded or off-band version of Ozempic prescribed by a clinic or spa.
  • Your symptoms started more than six months after beginning treatment
  • The statute of limitations for Ozempic lawsuits in your state has elapsed

If you are in doubt, you want to discuss with a lawyer to confirm whether you are ineligible. The lawyer will analyze your case and counsel you on the following steps.

You Must File Within the Statute of Limitations to Qualify

When bringing an Ozempic suit, consider the statutes of limitations. This is a law regulating the timeline within which you must bring your suit to qualify for damages recovery. For an Ozempic suit, no definite deadline is in place. Time frames vary depending on the kind of case, for example, personal injury or wrongful death, and the specific state's statute of limitations, which can change.

Some states have deadlines as brief as 12 months from the injury date, while others have a maximum of six years. Therefore, if your state’s statute of limitations is one year, you must bring your claim within 12 months of the event that led to the harm or the date you knew about it. For Ozempic-related claims, this is generally when your doctor diagnosed you with a serious health issue associated with the drug. You want to speak to an attorney as soon as possible, to avoid being left out of bringing a case due to waiting too long.

Delaying filing a lawsuit can lead to a missed deadline. When that happens, you may be disqualified for damages, or courts might dismiss your case for delayed filing. A lawyer can assist you in working out the timeframe within which to bring your lawsuit and any possible exceptions. Contact one early enough to assist in safeguarding your entitlement to damages recovery. Exceptions to filing timeframes may apply, like in cases that involve children or for children who have since turned into adults.

Find an Experienced Dangerous Drugs Attorney Near Me

If you have experienced severe side effects from using Ozempic, consult an attorney as quickly as possible. Your lawyer will assess your eligibility to be part of the ongoing MDL. Remember, time is of the essence, and you must act fast before the statute of limitations locks you out.

At Consumer Alert Now, we can help link you to one of the experienced dangerous drug attorneys handling the Ozempic MDL. Apart from informing consumers nationwide about dangerous products in the market, we also help them seek justice if they have already been affected by these products. Call us from wherever you are in the U.S. at 800-511-0747 to share your case details.