The medications Ozempic and Mounjaro, which initially appeared on the market for diabetes management, saw an uptick in prescriptions when their unintended weight loss benefits were discovered. However, the pharmaceutical companies Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly have recently come under fire for failing to disclose vital information relating to the health risks associated with these drugs.
A number of lawsuits have been filed against them, with claimants alleging severe adverse side effects that left many hospitalized. If you’ve experienced illness or injury as a result of taking Ozempic or Mounjaro, you may be entitled to significant compensation. To file your claim, it’s crucial to work with a skilled Philadelphia personal injury attorney.
Safety Risks of Ozempic and Mounjaro
Ozempic and Mounjaro belong to a class of medications that mimic the naturally occurring hormone, “GLP-1.” This hormone slows down the passage of food through your stomach, making you feel fuller for longer. While these drugs have been touted for their usefulness in managing weight and diabetes, the delayed gastric emptying comes with the potential for severe illness and injury to the digestive tract.
Litigants in the Ozempic and Mounjaro controversy have cited adverse effects such as persistent nausea, abdominal pain, and violent, excessive bouts of vomiting. In the worst cases, patients were hospitalized or lost teeth due to prolonged vomiting. According to one lawsuit, Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly “knew of the association between the use of GLP-1 and the risk of developing severe gastrointestinal issues,” but neglected to adequately disclose and address these risks.
Legal Grounds for Filing Claims
If you’ve experienced adverse side effects after using Ozempic or Mounjaro, you might be wondering about your legal options. Filing a claim for losses related to these medications involves legal grounds that center around product liability and medical negligence. Here’s what you need to understand:
Product Liability
Pharmaceutical companies have a legal responsibility to ensure that their products are safe for use and that potential risks are adequately communicated to patients and healthcare providers. If a medication, like Ozempic or Mounjaro, is found to cause unexpected severe side effects, or if the manufacturer failed to provide proper warnings, you may have a valid basis for a personal injury claim.
Proving Causation
Establishing causation is a fundamental part of building a strong case in pharmaceutical litigation. This means proving that the medications were the direct cause of your injuries or illness. To succeed in your claim, you and your legal team must clearly demonstrate this link and rule out any other potential causes of the harm you suffered.
Calculable Damages
In some cases, patients may experience side effects that are not necessarily severe enough to constitute an actionable claim. For instance, if a medication made an individual feel nauseous or uncomfortable, but they did not see a doctor or sustain monetary losses for medical expenses or lost wages, they may not have sufficient grounds for a claim. However, for those who missed work or accrued substantial medical bills due to serious side effects, they may be entitled to take legal action against the drug companies.
How the Claims Process Works
The process for filing a claim for injuries or illness caused by Ozempic and Mounjaro is designed to help victims seek justice and compensation for their various losses. These losses may include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, punitive damages, and in some extreme cases, long-term disability. Alongside a reputable legal team, victims can expect the claims process to proceed as follows:
- Initial consultation with your attorney
- Gathering of medical records and other evidence
- Determining liability
- Establishing causation
- Assessment and calculation of damages
- Negotiation with third parties to reach a settlement
- Trial proceedings (if a settlement is not reached)
- Verdict or settlement
Our Skilled Personal Injury Attorneys are a Phone Call Away
If you believe that you or a loved one have suffered injuries or severe side effects due to Ozempic or Mounjaro, the skilled Philadelphia personal injury attorneys at Kwartler Manus, LLC can help you seek compensation for your losses. Reach out to us today by calling our office to set up your free case review.