New Judge Appointed to Preside Over Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro Multidistrict Litigation

Transition of Leadership in GLP-1 RA Drug Lawsuits Following Judge Pratter’s Passing

The rapidly growing multidistrict litigation (MDL) involving Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and other glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RA) drugs has been reassigned to a new U.S. District Judge following the unexpected passing of Judge Gene E. K. Pratter. The lawsuits allege that manufacturers failed to adequately warn users and the medical community about the risk of developing Gastroparesis, a severe and debilitating form of stomach paralysis, associated with the use of these widespread diabetes and weight loss medications.

5 Key Points

• In February 2024, Judge Gene E. K. Pratter was appointed to oversee the coordinated pretrial proceedings for the Ozempic MDL lawsuits, which are expected to include thousands of claims.
• Judge Pratter passed away on May 17, 2024, at the age of 75, due to complications associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
• The litigation targets manufacturers of Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, Zepbound, Trulicity, and other GLP-1 RA drugs, which have become widely prescribed in the U.S. for their weight loss benefits.
• On June 6, 2024, the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) issued an order reassigning the litigation to District Judge Karen S. Marston.
• Judge Marston has scheduled a status conference for June 10 to meet with lawyers involved in the lawsuits and discuss the future course of the litigation.

The Rise of GLP-1 RA Drugs and Associated Health Concerns

GLP-1 RA drugs have gained significant popularity in recent years, with Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro becoming household names due to their effectiveness in promoting weight loss. These medications have been prescribed to an estimated 2% of the U.S. population for both diabetes treatment and weight management. However, as the number of users has grown, so have concerns about the long-term risks associated with these drugs, particularly the development of Gastroparesis.

Gastroparesis is a condition characterized by stomach paralysis, which can cause severe and chronic symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, bloating, and abdominal pain. Lawsuits allege that drug manufacturers failed to provide adequate warnings about this risk, leaving users and the medical community unaware of the potential long-term consequences of taking these medications.

Get a free legal case review today

Did you develop any of the following injuries after being exposed to Fire Fighting Foam (AFFF)? * Choose one Ulcerative Colitis Kidney Cancer Pancreatic Cancer Testicular Cancer Prostate Cancer Bladder Cancer Thyroid Disease Liver Cancer Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma None of the above Were you exposed to Fire Fighting Foam (AFFF)? *

YesNo

Which medication(s) did you take during your pregnancy? * Choose one Tylenol Acetaminophen Alka-Seltzer Coricidin Dayquil Excedrin FluTherapy Midol Mucinex Nyquil Panadol Robitussin Sinex Sudafed Theraflu Other Medication(s) Was your child diagnosed with Autism, ADHD or another condition? * Choose one Autism/Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Asperger’s Syndrome Kanner’s Syndrome Childhood Disintegrative Disorder Pervasive Developmental Disorder Other Medical Condition How old was your child at the time of diagnosis? *

Under 18 years old18+ years old

Did the accident occur within the last 2 years? *

YesNo

First Name *

Last Name *

Email Address *

ZIP Code *

Phone Number *

What is your case type? * Choose one -------------------- Asbestos Baby Formula Camp Lejeune Clergy Abuse CPAP Elmiron Exactech Firefighting Foam FTX Exchange Hair Relaxer Hernia Mesh Paraquat PFAS Roundup Sex Abuse Social Media Talcum Powder Tepezza Tylenol -------------------- Birth Injury Car Accident FELA Medical Malpractice Motorcycle Accident Slip and Fall Trucking Accident Uber & Lyft Rideshare Workplace Injury Weight Loss Wrongful Death -------------------- Something Else

Human Verification *

I understand and agree that (a) submitting this form does not create an attorney-client relationship, (b) I am not already represented by an attorney for this matter, (c) the information I submit will be shared with a law firm, and (d) I have read and accepted the terms and conditions of the Privacy Policy, Terms of Service and Legal Disclaimer. Further, I consent to being contacted by a law firm or its agent after submitting this request.

Thank you! Your submission has been received!

Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

The Future of the Ozempic MDL Under Judge Marston’s Leadership

With Judge Karen S. Marston’s appointment to oversee the Ozempic MDL, the litigation is expected to move forward with renewed momentum. Judge Marston will likely continue the work initiated by Judge Pratter in establishing a bellwether program, which involves selecting representative cases to undergo case-specific fact discovery and be prepared for early trial dates. These bellwether trials gauge how juries may respond to the evidence and testimony presented, and their outcomes can significantly influence the trajectory of the litigation.

As the number of lawsuits grows, the Ozempic MDL can become a significant mass tort. Judge Marston will play a crucial role in managing the pretrial proceedings, facilitating the exchange of information between plaintiffs and defendants, and encouraging potential settlements. Judge Marston may remand individual cases back to their original U.S. District Courts for trial if settlements cannot be reached.

The Importance of Monitoring Drug Safety and Providing Adequate Warnings

The Ozempic MDL highlights the critical importance of continuously monitoring the safety of prescription medications and ensuring that manufacturers provide comprehensive and timely warnings about potential risks. As new drugs enter the market and gain widespread use, both users and the medical community need to be fully informed about the possible long-term consequences associated with these medications.

The outcome of the Ozempic MDL may have significant implications for the future of GLP-1 RA drugs and how manufacturers approach drug safety and warning labels. As the litigation progresses under Judge Marston’s leadership, it will be closely watched by those in the legal and medical communities and the millions of individuals prescribed these medications for diabetes treatment and weight loss.