Expected Ozempic Lawsuit Settlement Amounts (2024)

In lawsuits related to pharmaceuticals like Ozempic, plaintiffs like you may seek several types of compensation. Of course, the specifics will depend on the nature and extent of the injuries you suffered because of Ozempic.

Where Do Lawsuits Over Ozempic-Related Injuries Currently Stand?

As of April 2024, there are 74 pending lawsuits alleging that Novo Nordisk’s drug Ozempic injured them. These lawsuits have been consolidated into federal multidistrict litigation (MDL). This is not the same as a class action lawsuit because each of the MDL lawsuits remains separate. However, the victims and Novo Nordisk benefit from consolidated court procedures and discovery that make the process more efficient.

At some point, Novo Nordisk may face a class action lawsuit. For now, a Philadelphia federal court oversees dozens of individual lawsuits in the MDL. All of these cases are in their early phases, and the lawyers and victims are still working out who will lead the litigation.

There are currently no jury awards or publicly reported settlements for claims alleging Ozempic-related injuries. This likely means that no one has yet received an Ozempic settlement. However, there is a slim chance that the company has reached confidential settlements with victims that have not been shared with any media outlets.

Manufacturers often include confidentiality clauses in their settlement agreements. These clauses prevent successful plaintiffs from tipping off other victims about potential Ozempic lawsuit settlement amounts. But the lawsuits based on undisclosed side effects of Ozempic are so new that it is unlikely that someone has already reached a confidential settlement.

Predicting Ozempic Lawsuit Settlement Amounts

Predicting the value of a lawsuit settlement is difficult because so much of the calculation depends on factors unique to the plaintiff. A victim who experienced bowel pain might prove a few thousand dollars in losses, while someone else might prove hundreds of thousands of dollars in losses because they had their gallbladder removed. The compensation for these losses is called compensatory damages.

Complicating the prediction even further is the role of punitive damages. Many of the headline-grabbing jury awards included tens or even hundreds of millions of dollars in punitive damages. Unlike compensatory damages, which are calculated based on the losses of the plaintiff, the calculation of punitive damages is based on the egregiousness of the defendant’s conduct.

Punitive damages are meant to punish bad actors. These damages also warn other companies not to engage in dangerous or dishonest conduct. Some grounds for imposing punitive damages in other mass tort cases include the following:

• Failing to warn consumers about known risks

• Concealing the dangers of the product from regulators

• Misleading the public about safety in its marketing materials

• Paying “experts” to muddy the waters by publishing counter-articles

So far, no one has alleged any actions like these by Novo Nordisk. The worst allegation so far is that the company spent $11 million wining and dining doctors with meals and trips to promote Ozempic to them. For these marketing trips to justify punitive damages, the plaintiffs will need something further.

How Much Is the Ozempic Lawsuit Going to Pay Out?

While the specific compensation available can vary based on your individual circumstances and the jurisdiction in which you file the lawsuit, common categories of damages sought in Ozempic settlements include the following:

Medical Expenses

Compensation for past, present, and future medical costs tied to treating the side effects or injuries alleged to have been caused by Ozempic. That includes hospital stays, medications, surgeries, and any necessary long-term care or rehabilitation.

Ozempic allegedly causes:

• Chronic vomiting

• Gastrointestinal or stomach pain

• Intestinal blockage or obstruction

• Intestinal or stomach paralysis

• Pancreatitis

These medical conditions can require:

• Emergency room visits

• Hospitalization

• Gallbladder removal surgery

Every victim will incur different medical expenses depending on their symptoms and the treatment they receive. As an example, gallbladder removal surgery costs between $5,000 and $17,000. This wide range depends on many factors unique to the patient as well as other factors like the patient’s insurer and any complications that arise.

Lost Wages and Earning Capacity

If your Ozempic-related condition has resulted in time away from work, you might be able to seek compensation for your lost wages. And if the side effects have a long-term impact on your ability to work or earn a living, compensation for lost earning capacity may also be available.

The amount of your losses will depend on two primary factors: your wages and recovery time. Victims who earn more will have greater income losses. Similarly, victims who require more extensive treatment will miss more work. For example, the recovery time from gallbladder removal could run anywhere from one to six weeks.

Pain and Suffering

This covers the physical pain and emotional distress you might have suffered as a result of taking Ozempic. It can include compensation for enduring physical discomfort, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, and the impact of the condition on your overall well-being.

Painful gastric problems can erode your quality of life. It can deprive you of sleep and cause you to worry about your long-term health. If you lose your gallbladder, your body has lost some vital functions that could produce symptoms at any moment during your life.

Unfortunately, there is no way to predict the pain and suffering damages you might recover. Jurors have a lot of discretion in deciding how much to award for these losses, depending on the severity of your injuries.

Punitive Damages

In some cases, if the drug manufacturer is found to be particularly egregious or reckless, punitive damages may be awarded. These are intended to punish the defendant and deter similar conduct in the future, rather than to compensate you for specific losses. These are not available in all states, but they can significantly increase the value of your lawsuit if a judge awards them.

Legal Fees and Costs

You may be able to seek reimbursement for the legal expenses you incur while pursuing an Ozempic settlement, including attorney fees, court costs, and expenses related to gathering evidence and expert testimony.

Loss of Consortium

In cases where your condition related to Ozempic use has severely damaged your relationship with a spouse or partner, compensation for loss of consortium may be available and warranted. This type of damage acknowledges the impact on companionship, affection, and sexual relations.

Get Help With Your Ozempic-Related Injury

It's important to note that the availability and extent of these types of compensation depend on the specific facts of each case, the laws of the jurisdiction where the lawsuit is filed, and the determination of fault and causation.

To understand the value of your case, you need to understand how your injuries connect to your use of Ozempic and how to quantify your resulting losses. ConsumerShield offers educational resources to help you understand Ozempic lawsuits and what they can accomplish.

But our resources only go so far. At some point, you will need to consult a legal professional to assess the particular factors of your case and estimate the Ozempic lawsuit settlement amounts you can seek. We will conduct a free case evaluation and connect you with a lawyer who can help you recover the compensation you deserve. Contact us to start down the path toward just compensation.