A growing number of patients across the country are taking legal action against pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk, alleging that its weight loss drugs Ozempic and Wegovy caused them to suffer serious, permanent vision loss. Now, more than two-dozen lawsuits have been filed in New Jersey state court, and plaintiffs are seeking to have these cases consolidated into a multicounty litigation (MCL) in Middlesex County for more efficient handling.
Serious Allegations Tied to Irreversible Vision Loss
The plaintiffs with cases on file allege that after using Ozempic and Wegovy they developed nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). NAION is a rare but devastating condition in which blood flow to the optic nerve is disrupted, often leading to painless but sudden and permanent vision loss. Despite emerging data linking GLP-1 receptor agonists like Ozempic to this condition, Novo Nordisk has not issued warnings to patients or the medical community.
Sullivan Papain Among Five Firms Leading the Charge
These cases are being spearheaded by a group of five experienced law firms, including Sullivan Papain, which is representing clients alleging vision loss. Sullivan Papain’s Craig Silverman and Mark Apostolos join legal teams from other firms in advocating for victims.
Sullivan Papain’s role in this litigation underscores the firm’s reputation for taking on high-stakes pharmaceutical injury cases and fighting for justice on behalf of harmed patients nationwide.
Claims of Failure to Warn and Consumer Fraud
According to court filings, the plaintiffs accuse Novo Nordisk of failing to:
- Adequately warn about the risk of NAION
- Conduct sufficient testing
- Design a safe product
- Inform consumers in compliance with the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act
The legal teams argue that the underlying facts of these cases are highly similar, especially with regard to what Novo Nordisk knew about the risks and when, which makes centralized case management critical.
Request for Multicounty Litigation in Middlesex County
Currently, the cases are pending before eight different judges in Middlesex County Superior Court. Plaintiffs say this creates an unnecessary burden on the court system and risks inconsistent rulings. They are asking the New Jersey judiciary to consolidate the vision-loss cases into a single MCL proceeding in Middlesex County. They are not asking for consolidation with gastrointestinal injury cases linked to the same drugs, though they acknowledge some overlapping discovery and propose separate litigation tracks if needed.
European Regulators Investigate Vision Risks Tied to Ozempic and Wegovy
The controversy surrounding Ozempic and Wegovy is no longer confined to U.S. courtrooms. In July 2025, the European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee (PRAC) announced a formal investigation into the potential link between GLP-1 receptor agonists, such as Ozempic and Wegovy, and NAION.
This investigation, prompted by multiple adverse event reports submitted to the EMA’s EudraVigilance system and data from published medical research, resulted in PRAC concluding that a label update informing about the risk of NAION is warranted. Accordingly, the EMA is urging medical professionals and patients to remain alert for signs of sudden vision loss.
Sullivan Papain’s Craig Silverman notes that this development marks a turning point. “When an international body like the EMA steps in, it signals that the issue is gaining serious traction” said Silverman. Patients around the world deserve transparency, and it’s clear the time for accountability is now.”
Next Steps: Awaiting Judicial Decision on Consolidation
The New Jersey judiciary will review the petition to determine whether the proposed MCL structure is appropriate. Comments and objections to the application are due by August 29. If approved, the cases will move forward under a coordinated track focused specifically on vision-related injuries caused by Ozempic and Wegovy.