Not every side effect leads to a viable lawsuit. In GLP-1 drug litigation, law firms evaluate cases using specific medical, factual, and evidentiary criteria to determine whether a claim is strong enough to pursue.
This page explains exactly what lawyers look for when reviewing GLP-1 injury cases, why some claims move forward while others do not, and how you can understand where your situation fits.
Confirmed Use of a GLP-1 Drug
The starting point is proof that you used a GLP-1 medication, such as:
Lawyers typically verify:
- prescription history
- pharmacy records
- start and stop dates
- dosage escalation timeline
Exact dates are helpful but not required to begin a review.
A Serious, Documented Injury (Not Mild Side Effects)
Law firms focus on serious adverse outcomes, not common or short-lived effects.
Injuries commonly reviewed include:
- gastroparesis (stomach paralysis)
- intestinal obstruction or bowel shutdown
- pancreatitis
- acute kidney injury or kidney failure
- gallbladder disease or gallbladder removal
- severe dehydration requiring hospitalization
- permanent or long-term digestive impairment
Mild nausea or temporary discomfort usually does not qualify.
➡️ Injury hubs:
Medical Treatment Beyond Routine Care
Lawyers give significant weight to cases involving:
- ER visits
- hospital admissions
- IV fluids for dehydration
- imaging (CT, MRI, ultrasound)
- lab-confirmed abnormalities
- surgery (e.g., gallbladder removal)
- dialysis or intensive monitoring
Hospitalization is one of the strongest indicators of claim viability.
Objective Medical Evidence
Strong claims almost always include objective proof, such as:
- gastric emptying studies
- CT/MRI imaging
- elevated lipase (pancreatitis)
- creatinine and eGFR decline (kidney injury)
- ultrasound-confirmed gallstones
- operative and pathology reports
Subjective symptoms alone are rarely enough without supporting records.
➡️ Evidence guide: Medical Records
A Clear Timeline Linking Drug Use to Injury
Lawyers carefully evaluate timing, including:
- when the GLP-1 drug was started
- whether symptoms worsened after dose increases
- when ER visits or hospitalization occurred
- whether symptoms persisted after stopping the drug
A common strong pattern is:
drug use → escalating symptoms → medical crisis → lasting impairment
Persistence or Severity of Harm
Claims are stronger when injuries are:
- long-lasting (months or years)
- recurrent (multiple hospitalizations or episodes)
- permanently disabling
- unresolved after discontinuation
Examples of high-priority cases:
- chronic gastroparesis
- repeated pancreatitis
- incomplete kidney recovery after AKI
- ongoing inability to eat normally
➡️ Related: Permanent Injuries
Impact on Daily Life and Work
Lawyers assess how the injury affected your life, including:
- time missed from work
- job loss or reduced earning capacity
- inability to eat normally
- dependence on restricted diets
- frequent medical appointments
- loss of independence or mobility
Documented lifestyle impact increases case value.
Consistency With Known Injury Patterns
Claims are stronger when injuries match patterns seen across many cases, such as:
- vomiting → dehydration → kidney injury
- rapid weight loss → gallbladder disease
- GLP-1 gastric slowing → gastroparesis or obstruction
Consistency with known adverse-event patterns improves plausibility.
➡️ Pattern data: Thousands of Side Effects Reports
Lack of Strong Alternative Causes
Lawyers examine whether other explanations clearly caused the injury, such as:
- advanced preexisting disease
- unrelated surgical complications
- trauma or infection unrelated to drug use
Alternative causes do not automatically disqualify a case — but clear documentation helps.
Statute of Limitations Still Open
Even a strong injury may be barred if deadlines have passed.
Law firms check:
- when symptoms began
- when diagnosis occurred
- when the injury was linked to the drug
- which state’s law applies
➡️ Time limits: Statute of Limitations
What Is Not Usually Required
To start a review, you generally do not need:
- complete medical records upfront
- a confirmed lawsuit filing
- proof of manufacturer wrongdoing
- an FDA report
- expert testimony
Those elements are typically developed later if a case proceeds.
Why Some Cases Are Declined
Cases may not move forward if:
- symptoms were mild and resolved quickly
- no medical treatment was required
- no objective diagnosis exists
- documentation is extremely limited
- deadlines have clearly expired
Declining a case does not mean your symptoms weren’t real — only that they may not meet legal thresholds.
How to Improve Your Case Review
You can help by:
- writing down a clear symptom timeline
- listing all hospital and ER visits
- identifying treating doctors or facilities
- noting when symptoms improved or worsened
- saving prescription and pharmacy details
➡️ Symptom tracking: Documenting Symptoms
How to Start a Case Review
If your injury involved hospitalization, surgery, organ damage, or lasting impairment, a review can help determine whether your case meets these criteria.
➡️ Start here: File a Claim
➡️ Eligibility criteria: Criteria
➡️ Contact page: Contact
Lawyers evaluating GLP-1 lawsuits focus on confirmed drug use, serious documented injuries, hospitalization or surgery, objective medical evidence, clear timelines, and lasting impact on life or work. Claims that align with known injury patterns and remain within legal deadlines are most likely to move forward.
If you believe your injury fits these criteria, an early review can clarify your options.
➡️ Start your review: File a Claim