Gallbladder Removal After Ozempic: Can You File a Lawsuit?

Gallbladder removal is never routine when it follows the use of a medication meant to improve health. Many people prescribed GLP-1 receptor agonists like Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus, Trulicity, Mounjaro, and Zepbound experience months of unexplained nausea, abdominal pain, or digestive changes before discovering that bile buildup or infection has damaged their gallbladder. Surgery can relieve the immediate danger, but it often leaves lasting effects—such as chronic diarrhea or dietary restrictions—that change daily life.

When these outcomes appear soon after starting a GLP-1 medication, they may point to a preventable adverse drug reaction rather than coincidence. Today, our GLP-1 mass tort lawyers discuss how gallbladder removal after these drugs can form the basis of a product liability claim, what medical documentation courts look for, and how patients can preserve their right to compensation with early, evidence-driven representation.

How GLP-1 Drugs Are Linked to Gallbladder Disease and Cholecystectomy

GLP-1 receptor agonists slow the rate of gastric emptying to control appetite and blood sugar levels. This same action can disrupt bile flow and cause bile to crystallize. In some patients, the process progresses into acute cholecystitis, an infection that often leads to emergency surgery.

Medical studies have confirmed these risks. Research published in the Postgraduate Medicine Journal found that GLP-1 receptor agonists increase the likelihood of biliary complications due to slowed digestion. Similarly, a JAMA study found that patients using GLP-1 agonists for weight loss faced significantly higher risks of pancreatitis, gastroparesis, and bowel obstruction.

Additionally, the FDA has issued safety alerts about compounded or unapproved GLP-1 formulations, emphasizing that patients exposed to these off-label products face unpredictable and potentially serious side effects.

For answers to your questions, call:
(303) 999-9999

Warning Signs and Symptoms

Typical warning signs begin with persistent pain in the upper right abdomen, nausea, and vomiting after meals. As the condition worsens, fever and jaundice may develop, signaling a blocked bile duct or infection. Once infection sets in, surgery to remove the gallbladder is usually the only safe option.

For many patients, these symptoms appear within the first few months of taking a GLP-1 medication, precisely when weight loss and bile concentration are at their highest. When this happens, the proximity between drug initiation and diagnosis becomes crucial evidence when pursuing a product liability claim.

Evidence You’ll Need If You Had Your Gallbladder Removed

Building a successful claim in these cases requires detailed medical documentation. As attorney Jon C. Boesen explains, “in GLP‑1 cases, objective diagnostics drive everything. Imaging and surgical proof for gallbladder disease are just as crucial as a clear exposure timeline.”

Because manufacturers often argue that rapid weight loss alone caused gallbladder issues, your legal team must establish a clear chain of causation supported by various forms of evidence, including:

• Pharmacy records identifying the specific brand, dosage, and duration of GLP-1 use
• Imaging results such as ultrasound, CT, or HIDA scans confirming gallstones or gallbladder inflammation
• Hospital and surgical records including ER notes, admission summaries, and operative and pathology reports
• Physician statements noting the absence of prior gallbladder conditions and linking the onset of symptoms to drug exposure
• Personal timeline showing when symptoms began, how they affected work, and any lasting dietary or digestive issues

Our attorneys can review all relevant evidence to establish a clear connection between the medication and your injury. This way, we can meet the elements of a product liability claim, connecting medical facts to manufacturer negligence and preventable risk.

Who May Qualify to File After Gallbladder Removal

Not every gallbladder complication qualifies for a lawsuit. Eligibility is typically based on criteria such as:

• Exposure to a brand-name GLP-1 medication (Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus, Trulicity, Mounjaro, Zepbound) before diagnosis
• Medically confirmed gallbladder disease (gallstones or cholecystitis) requiring cholecystectomy
• Onset of symptoms closely following drug exposure, with ER visits or hospitalization if severe
• No documented prior gallbladder disease or other conditions explaining the obstruction

Patients who used compounded or unapproved GLP-1 products may still have a claim if their exposure and diagnosis are well documented. Attorneys often use the FDA Recalls, Market Withdrawals & Safety Alerts database to confirm product status and strengthen the evidence supporting your case.

MDL 3094: Where GLP-1 Gallbladder Claims Fit

Gallbladder and gastrointestinal injury claims tied to GLP‑1 drugs are consolidated under MDL 3094 in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. This centralization helps the court coordinate expert discovery, pretrial motions, and depositions across thousands of related cases.

Plaintiffs in the MDL allege that manufacturers, including Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, failed to provide timely and adequate warnings about gallbladder risks despite emerging clinical data and post-market adverse event reports.

As of 2025, public trackers report roughly 1,500 to 2,000 active cases nationwide. For clients in Colorado, Boesen Law works directly with MDL leadership to ensure claims are filed correctly while preserving the ability to pursue state-specific damages when appropriate.

How Defendants Challenge Gallbladder Cases

Pharmaceutical companies defending GLP-1 lawsuits rely on a few predictable arguments. Their primary strategy is to claim that gallbladder complications result from rapid weight loss rather than the drug itself.

Another common tactic is label preemption, the defense that FDA-approved warnings shield the company from liability. Defense teams also attack causation, arguing that a patient’s high-fat diet, preexisting conditions, or genetics could explain the disease.

Defense teams also focus on the science itself. They question whether bile stasis and inflammation can truly be tied to GLP-1 exposure rather than to secondary causes like diet, weight fluctuation, or hormonal factors. In these cases, attorneys must rely on pharmacological and surgical experts who can walk juries through how slowed gastrointestinal motility and altered bile composition lead to stone formation and infection. The testimony often hinges on showing that the injury pattern — sudden onset, infection within weeks of treatment, and absence of prior disease — matches a drug-induced mechanism, not ordinary metabolic change. 

Compensation in GLP-1 Gallbladder Removal Lawsuits

A successful lawsuit for a gallbladder-related claim may include compensation for the following types of damages:

• Medical expenses such as ER visits, imaging scans, surgical care, and post-operative rehabilitation
• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity if prolonged recovery limits employment
• Pain and suffering, encompassing both physical pain and the psychological toll of permanent dietary limitations
• Punitive damages where evidence shows the manufacturer ignored safety signals or delayed label updates

Deadlines for GLP-1 Gallbladder Lawsuits

Knowing the time limits on personal injury cases is crucial for your claim’s success. In Colorado, most product-related injury lawsuits must be filed within two years. Because gallbladder complications often develop months after starting a GLP-1 drug, plaintiffs must act quickly to avoid missing their legal window. Working with an experienced firm ensures your claim is filed on time, all evidence is preserved, and you meet jurisdictional deadlines in both state and federal court.

What to Do If You Had Your Gallbladder Removed After a GLP-1 Drug

If you’ve undergone gallbladder removal after taking a GLP-1 medication, taking these steps can protect your legal rights:

1. Request full medical records from hospitals and imaging centers, including operative and pathology reports
2. Save pharmacy labels and prescription receipts that show the brand name, dosage, and refill dates
3. Maintain a dated symptom diary documenting the progression of pain, missed work, and recovery impact
4. Avoid giving detailed statements to insurers until your case is reviewed by legal counsel

How Our Attorneys Can Help

Boesen Law represents clients nationwide in complex drug-injury cases and collaborates directly with MDL leadership handling the GLP-1 litigation. Our attorneys coordinate medical experts, analyze diagnostic evidence, and prepare claims that withstand the procedural and scientific scrutiny of federal court.

We’ve spent decades fighting pharmaceutical companies in cases involving defective drugs, negligent marketing, and catastrophic injuries. From the first consultation, we assess whether your medical records support causation, ensure your case aligns with the mass tort framework, and guide you through every stage.

Schedule a Free Consultation

If your gallbladder was removed after taking Ozempic or another GLP-1 drug, you may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and long-term complications. Boesen Law offers free case evaluations to help you understand your options and determine whether your claim qualifies for federal litigation.

We operate on a contingency-fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation. To discuss your case, contact us today and let our experienced team explain the next steps.

FAQs About Ozempic, Gallbladder Disease, and Cholecystectomy

Can Ozempic or Wegovy increase the risk of gallbladder disease?

Yes. Clinical research has found a measurable association between GLP-1 drug use and gallbladder complications due to reduced motility and bile flow.

Do I qualify for a lawsuit if I needed gallbladder removal after a GLP-1 drug?

You may, especially if imaging or pathology confirmed gallstones or inflammation and your exposure to the medication is well documented.

What medical records do I need to prove my gallbladder injury case?

Essential documents include your pharmacy history, diagnostic imaging, ER and surgical records, and pathology findings confirming gallbladder disease.

I lost weight quickly on a GLP‑1 — will the defense blame weight loss instead of the drug?

Likely yes—but with expert evidence and a clear timeline, attorneys can demonstrate that GLP-1 exposure, not weight loss alone, caused the injury.

How long do GLP‑1 gallbladder cases take to resolve?

Because GLP-1 lawsuits are part of multidistrict litigation, timelines vary. Some settlements may take years, but joining early ensures your claim is preserved.

Do I need an operative report to file, or will ER imaging be enough?

While ER imaging (ultrasound, CT, or HIDA scans) can help document gallbladder issues, operative and pathology reports are often stronger evidence in linking the injury to GLP‑1 exposure.

Call (303) 999-9999 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form