A Tale of Two Injuries
For the past two years, “Ozempic litigation” was synonymous with stomach paralysis. But as we enter 2026, the smart money has moved. On December 15, 2025, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) officially approved the consolidation of Vision Loss (NAION) cases, creating a second, distinct litigation track for GLP-1 drugs.
For law firms tired of battling over subjective “nausea” claims, this new MDL offers a refreshing alternative: an objective, high-value injury with a clear liability profile.
Here is why your firm should pivot its marketing spend toward the Vision Loss docket in 2026.
The “Clean” Case: Ozempic Blindness (NAION)
While the older Gastroparesis MDL (No. 3094) gets bogged down in disputes over diagnostic testing (specifically the Gastric Emptying Study), the new Vision Loss litigation targets a specific, permanent eye injury called Nonarteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy (NAION).
- The Science: A blockbuster 2024 Harvard study found that patients on semaglutide were 4x to 7x more likely to develop NAION than those on other diabetes drugs.
- The Injury: NAION is essentially an “eye stroke.” It causes sudden, painless, and often irreversible blindness in one eye due to restricted blood flow to the optic nerve.
- Why It Wins: Unlike stomach issues, which defense attorneys often blame on the patient’s underlying diabetes or diet, NAION is distinct. It is a rare, sudden event that is much harder for the defense to dismiss as a “lifestyle” complication.
Vetting Criteria: The “Green Light” Checklist
To capitalize on this new wave, your intake team needs to stop asking about vomiting and start asking about vision. Use this detailed checklist to identify top-tier Vision Loss leads:
🟢 GREEN LIGHT (Sign This Case)
- The Injury: Sudden, painless vision loss described as “graying out,” “shadows,” or total blindness in one eye.
- The Diagnosis: Must be confirmed by an Ophthalmologist or Neuro-Ophthalmologist. An optometrist or ER doctor’s note is often insufficient without specialist confirmation.
- The Timeline: Symptoms typically appear within 6 to 12 months of starting the drug. This close proximity creates a strong causal argument.
- The History: The patient had generally healthy eyes (no prior strokes or glaucoma) before the injection regimen began.
🔴 RED LIGHT (Disqualify)
- “Blurry” Vision: Fluctuating blurriness is often just a temporary blood sugar issue (retinopathy), not permanent nerve damage.
- Cataracts: This is a common age-related condition and is not linked to GLP-1 usage.
- Late Onset: Symptoms that started years after stopping the drug are likely unrelated to the medication.
- Generic “Eye Pain”: NAION is typically painless. Pain suggests other conditions like optic neuritis.
Marketing Strategy: Target the Symptom, Not Just the Drug
Many potential claimants don’t know the medical term “NAION.” They just know they woke up one day and couldn’t see out of their left eye.
Recommended Keywords & Hooks:
- Instead of: “Ozempic Lawsuit” (Too competitive/expensive)
- Try: “Sudden vision loss Ozempic,” “Eye stroke Wegovy,” “Blindness after weight loss shot,” or “One eye vision loss.”
The “Double Dip” Opportunity:
Even if you are focusing on Vision Loss, you will inevitably generate leads with stomach issues. The best strategy is to have a “secondary bucket” for severe Gastroparesis cases (only those with hospitalizations and a positive Gastric Emptying Study), but keep your primary ad spend focused on the higher-value Vision cases.
Quality Over Quantity
The creation of the Vision Loss MDL is a signal to the market: The GLP-1 litigation is evolving from a “volume game” into a “value game.” By targeting NAION cases, your firm can build a docket of claimants with objective, life-altering injuries that command higher settlement values.
Ready to pivot your intake?
MassTortsCo. has already deployed specialized “Vision First” screening scripts that filter for NAION criteria in real-time. Contact us today to secure exclusive Vision Loss leads for your territory.
