Three Important Pharmaceutical & Medical Device Cases in 2025
The pharmaceutical and medical device industries are facing significant legal challenges in 2025, with several mass torts gaining attention due to their potential impact on public health and the financial implications for manufacturers. As in previous years, lawsuits have been brought against manufacturers who rush their products to market without thorough research into their product’s weaknesses.
When laws, regulations, and best practices are ignored by pharmaceutical and medical device companies, doctors provide care based on limited knowledge of new drugs and devices. This can have devastating consequences for a patient. Victims may pursue lawsuits, using the damages they collect to help them recover. This also helps to hold manufacturers accountable for neglecting to inform medical providers and consumers of possible risks.
Ozempic, Tepezza, and Depo-Provera represent three mass torts affecting the pharmaceutical and medical device industries in 2025.
Ozempic Lawsuits
Ozempic, a medication used for type 2 diabetes and weight loss, has been linked to severe gastrointestinal side effects such as gastroparesis, ileus, and intestinal obstruction. As of early 2025, there are over 1,300 lawsuits consolidated in a multidistrict litigation (MDL) against Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of Ozempic. The MDL also includes similar drugs like Wegovy and Mounjaro. Plaintiffs allege that the companies failed to adequately warn about these risks, leading to significant health complications for patients.
The Ozempic litigation is significant due to its rapid growth and the widespread use of the drug. It highlights concerns about pharmaceutical safety and the need for transparent labeling.
The Ozempic litigation is expected to grow, with estimates suggesting that thousands more cases could be added to the MDL. An evidentiary hearing is scheduled for May 2025 to review scientific evidence linking these medications to gastrointestinal injuries. This case highlights the ongoing scrutiny of pharmaceutical companies regarding drug safety and transparency in labeling. The ongoing legal battle could lead to substantial financial implications for Novo Nordisk and set precedents for future pharmaceutical litigation.
Tepezza Lawsuits
Tepezza, a treatment for thyroid eye disease (TED), has been associated with permanent hearing loss and tinnitus. The lawsuits against Horizon Therapeutics allege that the company failed to adequately warn about these risks.
Despite a slow growth in new cases, the Tepezza MDL remains significant, with about 200 pending cases as of January 2025. The lawsuits allege that Horizon Therapeutics, the manufacturer, failed to adequately warn about these risks, provide clearer warnings, and conduct more thorough testing to identify potential side effects.
The first bellwether trial is set for March 2026, which will be crucial in determining the direction of future settlements. The estimated settlement range for Tepezza cases is between $75,000 and over $200,000 per plaintiff, depending on the severity of the hearing damage.
Plaintiffs argue that Tepezza should have provided clearer warnings and conducted more thorough testing to identify potential side effects.
The Tepezza lawsuits reflect broader concerns about drug safety and the responsibility of pharmaceutical companies to disclose potential side effects.
Depo-Provera Brain Tumor Lawsuits
Depo-Provera, a birth control injection, has been linked to an increased risk of meningioma brain tumors. Recent scientific studies have prompted a wave of product liability lawsuits against Pfizer, the manufacturer. Although the number of cases is not yet as large as some other mass torts, the potential for growth is significant given the widespread use of Depo-Provera.
As more evidence emerges, this litigation could become one of the most active mass torts in 2025.
As of February 2025, over 20 lawsuits have been filed by women who developed meningiomas after using Depo-Provera. The plaintiffs argue that Pfizer should have updated the drug’s warning label to include the risk of brain tumors, which has been documented in scientific studies. As more evidence emerges, this litigation could become one of the most active mass torts in 2025, reflecting broader concerns about pharmaceutical safety and the need for transparent labeling.
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