Overview: The Filing Process

Filing a GLP-1 NAION lawsuit involves several distinct phases. Here's what the process looks like from start to finish.

Step 1

Confirm Your Eligibility

Before investing time in gathering records, confirm the basics: Did you take a GLP-1 drug? Were you diagnosed with NAION or sudden vision loss? Use our free eligibility checker for a quick assessment.

Step 2

Gather Your Medical and Pharmacy Records

This is the most important preparation step. Collect:

  • Pharmacy records — prescription history showing GLP-1 drug, dates filled, dosages
  • Ophthalmology records — clinical notes, NAION diagnosis, exam dates
  • Visual field testing results — Humphrey VF or equivalent
  • OCT (optical coherence tomography) scans
  • Primary care records showing who prescribed the GLP-1 drug and when
  • Insurance EOB records showing claims for the drug and eye treatment

Tip: You can request records yourself under HIPAA, or your attorney can help. Records can take 2–4 weeks, so start now.

Step 3

Find a Qualified Mass Tort Attorney

You need an attorney with specific experience in pharmaceutical mass tort litigation. Look for:

  • Track record in GLP-1 or pharmaceutical MDL cases
  • Contingency fee arrangement (no upfront cost)
  • State bar membership in good standing
  • Transparent communication about process and timeline

Submit your information here to connect with attorneys in our referral network who specialize in GLP-1 NAION claims.

Step 4

Free Consultation and Retainer Agreement

Your initial consultation is free. The attorney will review your facts, confirm eligibility, and explain the process. If you decide to proceed, you'll sign a contingency fee agreement — typically 33–40% of any recovery, paid only if you win or settle. You owe nothing if you don't recover.

Step 5

Plaintiff Fact Sheet Completion

MDL 3163 will require all plaintiffs to complete a Plaintiff Fact Sheet (PFS) — a detailed questionnaire about your drug use, diagnosis, symptoms, and background. Your attorney handles this process and will guide you through it. PFS submission is typically required within 90–120 days of your case entering the MDL.

Step 6

Discovery and Case Development

Your attorney, working with the Plaintiffs' Steering Committee in the MDL, will conduct discovery — obtaining Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly internal documents, communications, and research related to the NAION risk. This is when the case builds. This phase typically takes 12–24 months.

Step 7

Resolution: Settlement or Trial

Most mass tort cases resolve through settlement. Based on bellwether trial outcomes and global negotiation, individual case values are typically determined by injury severity and a point-based compensation grid. Severely injured plaintiffs (bilateral vision loss, complete blindness) are expected to receive the highest awards.

How Long Will It Take?

MDL 3163 was formed in March 2026. Based on comparable pharmaceutical MDLs:

  • 18–36 months: Discovery and case development
  • 2–4 years: Bellwether trials or settlement negotiations begin
  • 3–7 years: Full resolution for most claimants

This is a long-term legal process. Early filing establishes your place in the docket and protects you from statute of limitations issues.

What Does It Cost?

Mass tort attorneys work on contingency fee arrangements:

  • No upfront costs — you pay nothing to start your case
  • Attorney fees are a percentage of your recovery (typically 33–40%)
  • Case expenses (filing fees, expert witnesses) are advanced by the firm and reimbursed from your recovery
  • If you don't recover, you owe nothing

Statute of Limitations: Don't Wait

Every state has a deadline for filing personal injury claims — typically 2–3 years from the date of injury or from when you discovered the connection between the drug and your injury. Find your state's specific deadline on our state guide.

Don't wait: Missing the statute of limitations permanently bars your claim. No court exception exists for "I didn't know about the lawsuit." File now.