Ozempic & Wegovy Lawsuits: Vision Loss & NAION in Wisconsin
Ozempic and Wegovy promised life-changing results for diabetes management and weight loss. And for many Wisconsin residents, they delivered…until they didn’t.
In 2024, researchers at Harvard Medical School discovered a troubling link: patients taking these medications faced a significantly higher risk of sudden, permanent vision loss. Now, thousands of users nationwide are filing lawsuits against drugmaker Novo Nordisk, claiming they were never warned about this devastating side effect.
If you’ve experienced vision problems after taking Ozempic, Wegovy, or Rybelsus, here’s what you need to know about your legal rights in Wisconsin.
The Hidden Risk: NAION and Vision Loss
On July 3, 2024, researchers from Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts Eye and Ear published a groundbreaking study in JAMA Ophthalmology. The study analyzed over 16,800 patient records and found alarming results:
- Diabetic patients taking semaglutide were more than 4 times more likely to develop NAION
- Overweight or obese patients taking semaglutide were more than 7 times more likely to develop NAION
The study’s lead author, Dr. Joseph Rizzo, described NAION as “in effect, a stroke of the optic nerve.” Despite these findings and similar studies from Denmark and Canada, Novo Nordisk has not updated its U.S. drug labels to include NAION warnings.
What is NAION?
Nonarteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy (NAION) is a serious eye condition that occurs when blood flow to the optic nerve is disrupted or blocked. The optic nerve transmits visual signals from your eye to your brain. When it’s damaged, vision loss is often permanent.
NAION is the second-leading cause of optic nerve blindness (after glaucoma) and there is currently no effective treatment or cure.
What Are the Symptoms of NAION?
If you’ve been taking Ozempic, Wegovy, or Rybelsus, watch for these warning signs:
- Sudden, painless vision loss (often discovered upon waking, typically affecting one eye)
- Vision field problems (dark areas, shadows, or blind spots)
- Blurriness or dimness in your vision
- Color vision difficulties
- Optic disc swelling (visible during an eye exam)
Because NAION vision loss is usually painless, many patients don’t realize something is wrong until they wake up and can’t see properly. If you experience any sudden vision changes, seek medical attention immediately.
Why Weren’t Patients Warned?
This is the core issue driving lawsuits against Novo Nordisk. Multiple studies have shown a clear link between semaglutide use and increased NAION risk:
- A July 2024 Harvard study found a 4-7 times increased risk
- A December 2024 Danish/Norwegian study of over 424,000 patients found semaglutide users had more than double the risk of NAION
- In August 2024, the European Medicines Agency ordered updated warning labels for Ozempic to include vision loss and NAION risk
Yet in the United States, the FDA has not required specific NAION warnings. Patients across Wisconsin (from Milwaukee to Green Bay, from Madison to La Crosse) trusted these medications and trusted that they would be warned about serious risks.
This type of failure to warn is a common basis for product liability claims in Wisconsin.
What the Ozempic & Wegovy Lawsuits Allege
As of January 2026, nearly 3,000 lawsuits have been filed against Novo Nordisk. The litigation focuses on three main claims:
- Failure to Warn: Novo Nordisk failed to adequately inform patients and doctors about the risk of NAION and permanent vision loss, despite growing evidence from multiple studies.
- Defective Design/Insufficient Testing: The company failed to conduct adequate testing to understand the full scope of risks and did not take appropriate action when evidence of harm emerged.
- Consumer Fraud: By not disclosing these serious risks on product labels and in marketing materials, lawsuits allege Novo Nordisk violated consumer protection laws in multiple states, including Wisconsin.
Who Can File a Lawsuit in Wisconsin?
You may have a valid legal claim if:
- You were prescribed Ozempic, Wegovy, or Rybelsus for diabetes management or weight loss
- You experienced sudden vision loss, optic nerve damage, or received a NAION diagnosis during or after taking these medications
- You have medical records documenting both your medication use and your vision complications
Wisconsin follows a three-year statute of limitations for personal injury and product liability claims. This means you generally have three years from when you discovered your NAION diagnosis to file a lawsuit.
What Compensation Can You Recover?
If you’ve suffered vision loss due to Ozempic, Wegovy, or Rybelsus, you may be entitled to compensation for:
- Medical expenses (both past and future)
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Emotional distress
The value of each case varies based on the severity of vision loss, your age and occupation, the impact on your quality of life, and other factors specific to your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding NAION and The Lawsuits
How long do I have to file a lawsuit in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin’s statute of limitations for product liability cases is three years. The clock typically starts when you discover (or should have discovered) that your vision loss was caused by the medication. Because this deadline is strict, consult with an attorney as soon as possible after your NAION diagnosis.
Can I file a claim if I signed paperwork when I started the medication?
Signing a consent form doesn’t necessarily prevent you from filing a lawsuit, especially if the risks of NAION were not adequately disclosed at the time. Wisconsin law requires drug manufacturers to provide adequate warnings about known serious risks.
What if my vision loss is only partial?
Even partial vision loss can significantly impact your quality of life and may qualify for compensation. NAION can affect vision in varying degrees, and you don’t need to be completely blind to have a valid claim.
How Pasternak & Zirgibel S.C. Can Help You
Dealing with sudden vision loss is overwhelming enough without having to navigate complex pharmaceutical litigation. At Pasternak & Zirgibel S.C., we’re committed to helping Wisconsin patients who’ve been harmed by dangerous drugs.
Thorough Investigation: We’ll review your medical records, medication history, and consult with medical experts to build a strong case connecting your vision loss to semaglutide use.
Fighting for Maximum Compensation: Novo Nordisk is a multi-billion dollar pharmaceutical company with teams of lawyers. You deserve equally strong representation to hold them accountable.
No Upfront Costs: We work on a contingency basis. There are no upfront fees, no hourly charges, just results-based representation.
