Craig Silverman, a Member and Mass Torts Practice at Sullivan Papain Block McManus Coffinas & Cannavo P.C., has been at the forefront of a growing legal battle against pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk. Silverman was recently featured on television for his work with individuals who experienced sudden, life-altering vision loss after taking the popular diabetes and weight loss drugs Ozempic and Wegovy.
From GI Injuries to Sudden Blindness: A Developing Crisis
Silverman’s involvement in Ozempic litigation began through the firm’s existing work representing clients nationwide who suffered gastrointestinal injuries linked to the drug. Sullivan Papain’s legal team closely monitors the medical literature surrounding drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, both of which contain the active ingredient semaglutide.
About a year ago, a study published in JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association) highlighted a connection between semaglutide and a rare but serious optic nerve condition known as non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). That publication quickly caught Silverman’s attention. Soon after, potential clients began reaching out with disturbing reports of sudden vision loss.
The Legal Heart of the Case: Failure to Warn
At the center of Sullivan Papain’s litigation efforts is a straightforward but critical question: Did Novo Nordisk adequately warn patients, their physicians, and the public of the risks associated with its drugs? According to Silverman, the answer is no.
“The core legal issue is whether Novo Nordisk failed to warn the public, including our clients, of the potential for the devastating side effects they suffered,” he explains. “Patients deserve to know the full scope of risks, especially when the consequences can be sudden and permanent blindness.”
Building Strong Cases Through Medical Evidence and Expert Testimony
The vision loss Sullivan Papain’s clients have suffered has been debilitating, affecting every aspect of daily life, from working and commuting to enjoying time with loved ones. “It’s a life-altering injury,” Silverman says. As a result, “among the damages we intend to seek are past and future medical costs, life care costs, emotional pain and suffering, and lost earnings.”
Silverman and his team are carefully building their cases to reflect both the scientific complexity and the human impact of these injuries. As with many pharmaceutical cases, expert testimony will be central to the litigation, and that is why Sullivan Papain is assembling a team of experts, including among others, experts in neuro-opthamology, epidemiology, and FDA regulatory matters.
Patterns and Red Flags
While the cases are still developing, it appears that certain patterns exist among those affected. For instance, it seems as though until recently, patients and their physicians were unaware of the connection to sudden vision loss. As a result, a number of people Silverman has met with suffered NAION in one eye but were continued on the drugs only to later suffer NAION in the other eye before a connection was made by their physicians.
Silverman also draws attention to the aggressive and image-driven marketing tactics behind Ozempic and Wegovy. “When you depict vibrant weight-loss success stories and happy lives in ads, but fail to disclose the risk of something as serious as sudden vision loss, that’s not just misleading, it’s dangerous,” he says.
Preparing for Mass Tort Status
The number of Ozempic-related injury reports continues to rise. A motion to consolidate cases in New Jersey state court has already been filed, and Silverman anticipates it will be granted, paving the way for a major mass tort. His firm is actively preparing for this development by collaborating with experts and coordinating with other plaintiff firms.
A Message to Consumers
Silverman urges anyone currently taking Ozempic or considering it to have open, informed conversations with their healthcare providers. If they’ve experienced any vision problems, immediate medical evaluation, particularly by a neuropathologist or retinal specialist, is essential.
“Consumers need to know that sudden vision loss is a documented risk. And if it’s already happened, seeking immediate medical guidance is critical.”
Advocating for Accountability and Change
At the core of Sullivan Papain’s work is a commitment to both justice and accountability. “What motivates us is the opportunity to effect change in harmful corporate practices and to help clients regain some stability in their lives,” Silverman says. “No legal action can restore their eyesight, but we can fight for compensation they can use to assist them and their families and hopefully prevent the same fate from befalling others.”
Learn more about Firm Member Craig Silverman
Craig Silverman is a Member of the firm and experienced products liability and mass torts lawyer. He has achieved outstanding results in a variety of complex civil matters, ranging from multi-plaintiff toxic tort litigation to individual products liability and medical malpractice cases.
To learn more about Member Craig Silverman, click here.