Motley Rice LLC, one of the nation’s largest plaintiffs’ litigation firms, filed another lawsuit today against Ozempic manufacturer Novo Nordisk. This matter was filed in New Jersey’s Superior Court on behalf of a Maryland resident who lost his livelihood after being diagnosed with nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). Despite discontinuing the drug, he remains legally blind, a consequence he believes could have been prevented had Novo Nordisk properly warned the public. The lawsuit seeks compensatory damages for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and the life-altering impact on his daily life.
“This isn’t just about me not being able to see or go to work anymore. This is also about being unable to see my loved ones, too. I will never see my wife’s smile ever again,” said Todd Engel, who was diagnosed with nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) following his use of Ozempic.
“Permanent blindness is not a side effect — it’s a life-altering catastrophe that demands answers,” said Motley Rice attorney Jonathan Orent (MA, RI, WI). “This permanent and irreversible injury has damaged every aspect of Todd Engel’s life. We want justice and will continue to fight for it for Todd and others like him.”
The suit claims patient safety took a back seat to profits and that the company engaged in an aggressive advertising campaign that failed to warn of the potential for irreversible vision loss. It accuses Novo Nordisk of failure to warn, design defect, gross negligence, deceptive marketing, and breach of warranty in violation of New Jersey’s Consumer Fraud Act and Maryland’s Consumer Protection Act.
Novo Nordisk, which is headquartered in New Jersey, failed to adequately warn doctors, patients and the public about the dangerous risks even though they were aware of the risks associated with Ozempic, including the potential for NAION, the lawsuit alleges. It further details allegations of aggressive marketing practices by Novo Nordisk, including off-label promotion of Ozempic for weight loss, and significant lobbying efforts to push the drug to a broader consumer base through partnerships with telemedicine companies.
“Despite multiple clinical trials and reports highlighting the risk, we believe Novo Nordisk deliberately neglected its responsibility to provide warnings, which resulted in severe and irreversible injuries to our client. Mr. Engel, like many others, took Ozempic believing it was a safe and effective diabetes treatment. His lawsuit is about accountability – ensuring companies put patient safety before corporate profit,” said Motley Rice litigator and safety advocate, Daniel Lapinski (NJ, NY, PA).
In addition to failure to warn and aggressive marketing practices, the complaint alleges financial ties between Novo Nordisk and influential medical professionals and advocacy groups, accusing the company of influencing obesity treatment guidelines and doctors’ prescribing habits to boost drug sales.
Our medical drug litigation experience
Our law firm has years of experience representing the interests of patients who became seriously ill and endured debilitating side effects associated with prescribed medications. We now represent Wegovy and Ozempic patients.
If you or someone you love experienced severe symptoms related to the use of these diabetes and weight loss drugs, our personal injury attorneys may be able to help. We have the knowledge and resources to help you demand justice. Our team can help you:
- Investigate whether Ozempic could be the cause of your vision changes, gastroparesis, intestinal blockages or other side effects
- Review whether Novo Nordisk failed to warn you about the potential off-label side effects adequately
- Help build and file your case if you qualify
Read more on our medical drug experience.
If you are currently taking Wegovy or Ozempic, consult your physician before you stop taking the prescription medication. Without your physician's instruction, discontinuing these medications could result in worsening illness, injury or death. Ozempic and Wegovy remain approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Motley Rice LLC, a South Carolina Limited Liability Company, is engaged in the New Jersey practice of law through Motley Rice New Jersey LLC. Esther Berezofsky is the attorney responsible for New Jersey practice.