What Evidence Do You Need for a GLP-1 Injury Lawsuit?

GLP-1 receptor agonists like Ozempic have transformed weight management and diabetes treatment for millions of patients. But alongside their rapid adoption, troubling patterns have emerged: serious gastrointestinal complications, gallbladder disease, and cases of gastroparesis that leave patients in chronic pain or require emergency surgery.

If you’ve suffered one of these injuries after taking a GLP-1 medication, you may be considering legal action.

At Boesen Law, we’ve spent years helping clients across Colorado and nationwide navigate complex pharmaceutical litigation. This guide walks you through the evidence you’ll need to build a strong case, from prescription records and diagnostic imaging to the expert analysis that connects your medication use to your medical injury.

Whether your case joins the federal GLP-1 multidistrict litigation (MDL 3094) or proceeds on its own, knowing what courts require gives you a clear advantage.

Key Evidence That Strengthens a GLP-1 Injury Case

Successful GLP-1 lawsuits rely on plaintiffs showing a clear sequence of exposure, diagnosis, and causation supported by records and thorough documentation. The following categories of proof often decide whether a claim moves forward:

1. Proof of Exposure and Prescription

The foundation of every case is verifiable use of a brand-name GLP-1 medication, rather than compounded or off-label versions. Essential records include:

• Pharmacy documentation listing the brand, dosage, prescription date, and refill history.
• Physician treatment notes confirming the reason for the prescription and any dose changes or discontinuation.
• Insurance or EHR printouts showing continuity of use, especially if you tried multiple GLP-1 brands.

2. Objective Medical Proof of Injury

Plaintiffs must present objective diagnostics confirming the type and severity of injury. The most persuasive evidence often includes:

• Imaging studies such as ultrasound, CT, or HIDA scans showing gallstones, intestinal blockage, or gastric paralysis.
• Laboratory testing (elevated amylase/lipase) for pancreatitis or related complications.
• Operative reports or pathology findings from gallbladder removal or bowel surgery.
• Specialist evaluations from gastroenterologists or hepatologists linking the injury to drug exposure.

At Boesen Law, our attorneys review your records to ensure they meet the evidentiary standards necessary for a strong case. We focus on compiling all the elements of a product liability claim to demonstrate causation and maximize your compensation.

3. Causation Between the Drug and Your Injury

Once exposure and injury are proven, the next challenge is connecting them. This step—causation—is where most pharmaceutical cases succeed or fail. Your lawyer will:

1. Construct a timeline aligning when symptoms began with when you started or increased your dosage.
2. Review medical records for alternative explanations, such as pre-existing gallbladder disease or rapid weight loss.
3. Work with pharmacology and gastroenterology experts to explain how GLP-1-induced delayed gastric emptying or biliary stasis can lead to obstruction, pancreatitis, or cholecystitis.

When these components line up, your case becomes strong enough to withstand early dismissal. As attorney Jon C. Boesen notes, “In drug litigation, we win cases not by volume, but by precision—records that prove exposure, diagnosis, and mechanism leave no room for the defense to claim coincidence.”

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

Preserving Evidence Before You File

Evidence disappears quickly in pharmaceutical cases, which is why documentation must begin the moment you suspect complications. Your attorney helps secure every record that connects your use of a GLP-1 drug to the medical events that followed, including:

• Hospital and surgical documentation: Operative reports, anesthesia logs, and pathology results verify the condition and procedure in detail.
• Pharmacy records: Original prescription labels, receipts, and dosage histories establish product identification and use timeline.
• Imaging and lab data: Maintain copies of CT or ultrasound scans and lab results confirming gallbladder inflammation or bile duct obstruction.
• Symptom journal: Brief daily notes about pain, diet limits, or missed workdays can strengthen credibility when paired with provider notes.

How Defendants Challenge Causation

Defendants often argue that gallbladder disease or other complications occurred “independent” of medication use. To counter those arguments, attorneys rely on peer-reviewed research showing how GLP-1 receptor agonists slow digestive motility and alter bile composition, mechanisms that can lead to gallbladder dysfunction. 

Studies such as those found in the Postgraduate Medicine Journal or the Journal of the American Medical Association can provide the scientific foundation that connects exposure to injury.

In multidistrict litigation, this expert testimony must meet the same Daubert reliability standards that apply in federal courts nationwide. That’s why medical specialists, pharmacologists, and treating physicians all play distinct roles in proving how the drug’s mechanism directly caused harm.

Evidence That Affects Compensation Value

Certain factors can increase the value of a claim by showing the full impact of the injury on your life and recovery:

• Duration of treatment: Longer hospital stays, ICU care, or multiple follow-ups demonstrate severity.
• Pathology confirmation: Findings of chronic inflammation or bile duct damage support higher compensatory claims.
• Employment records: Wage loss statements or disability filings validate the financial effect of the injury.
• Post-surgical complications: Continued pain, digestive issues, or need for lifelong medication reflect lasting impairment.

Each of these elements supports different types of damages in a personal injury lawsuit. A strong evidence package not only helps value the claim correctly but also strengthens negotiation leverage before settlement talks begin.

Preparing to Meet With Your Attorney

When you schedule your first consultation, bring every document that connects your GLP-1 exposure to medical diagnosis or surgery. This includes the medication box or label, prescription printouts, ER notes, operative summaries, and any imaging disks.

Your attorney will also assess whether your claim could be included in MDL 3094, the federal consolidation handling hundreds of GLP-1 injury lawsuits. Each potential case is screened for timeliness, documented exposure, and diagnostic confirmation. 

Remember that early legal review preserves evidence and avoids missing filing deadlines that vary by state. If you’ve experienced gallbladder removal, bowel surgery, or hospitalization following use of Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, or similar drugs, contact Boesen Law today for a free, confidential review.

Frequently Asked Questions About Evidence in GLP-1 Drug Lawsuits

Do I need imaging or lab results to prove my claim?

Yes. Ultrasound, CT, or MRI scans confirming gallstones, cholecystitis, or bowel obstruction form the backbone of medical proof. Lab work showing elevated liver enzymes or pancreatic markers also helps establish the biological link between the drug and your complications.

Can pharmacy receipts alone prove exposure?

Not entirely. Pharmacy records confirm that the prescription was filled, but exposure timelines are stronger when matched with physician notes, refill histories, and any correspondence about side effects or discontinuation.

What if my gallbladder was removed months after stopping the medication?

A delay doesn’t automatically defeat the claim. Surgeons and pharmacology experts often testify about residual motility effects or delayed symptom onset common with GLP-1 drugs. The key is showing a logical progression from drug use to diagnosis.

Is testimony from my treating doctor required?

In most cases, yes. Even brief statements from treating providers that link timing, symptoms, and imaging results can satisfy causation requirements, especially when the drug’s role is medically plausible.

Do I need to save the medication box or label?

If available, keep it. Original packaging can prove product identification, lot number, and manufacturer, which eliminates disputes about whether you used a brand-name or compounded version.

Will my medical privacy be protected during litigation?

Yes. Only records relevant to the injury are shared under protective orders. Your attorney will redact unrelated medical details before production.

How long do I have to gather evidence before filing?

Time limits vary by state. Colorado’s general statute of limitations for personal injury is two years, but contacting legal counsel quickly ensures records are preserved before they’re purged by hospitals or pharmacies.

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