What happens when a drug designed to save lives ends up changing them forever for the worse? That question is at the center of a growing storm surrounding Ozempic and similar GLP-1 medications that have exploded in popularity for weight loss.
In a recent Trial Lawyer View by Synergy podcast episode, I sat down with mass tort veteran Michael Lynch of The Michael Brady Lynch Firm , who’s spent the last 20+ years holding pharmaceutical companies accountable for their missteps. From Baycol to Ozempic, Lynch has seen firsthand how billion-dollar drugs can quickly turn into billion-dollar liabilities and why trial lawyers are often the only line of defense for injured patients.
This episode is a masterclass in what it takes to anticipate, prepare for, and prosecute mass torts that are just beginning to unfold.
🚨 The Ozempic Lawsuits: What You Should Be Watching
Originally approved as a diabetes drug, Ozempic’s off-label popularity for weight loss has created a booming market and a rising tide of serious side effects.
Lynch shared what he’s already seeing on the front lines of this litigation:
- Gastroparesis (paralyzed stomach): A potentially life-threatening condition requiring surgery. Many clients don’t even know this term until they end up in the ER.
- Blindness: An emerging second wave of cases that may soon eclipse the initial round of GI injuries.
Despite the mounting evidence, most consumers and many doctors aren’t aware of the risks. According to Lynch, “What’s going to change everything is when someone famous experiences a serious side effect. That’s when public awareness and regulation catch up.”
🔍 The Anatomy of a Mass Tort That Moves the Needle
What makes a drug litigation case viable? Lynch laid out the three pillars that help trial lawyers vet emerging mass torts:
- Signature injury – Clear and traceable side effects, like rhabdomyolysis in Baycol or gastroparesis in Ozempic.
- Bad actor behavior – Manipulated studies, ghostwritten medical journals, or regulatory shortcuts.
- Market scale – Widespread use and real human impact, which multiplies the legal and ethical urgency.
For those newer to mass tort work, Lynch’s story about getting his start with Baycol was both inspiring and strategic. It was a “perfect entry point,” he says a drug with a strong safety perception, obvious harm, and a quick FDA withdrawal. That combination allowed him to learn fast, build a reputation, and develop lasting relationships with other leading lawyers in the space.
💡 Why Trial Lawyers Should Be Paying Attention
Mass torts aren’t just about individual justice. They shape public health policy, expose systemic flaws, and deter corporate misconduct. As Lynch put it: “This is patient care on a wide scale. It’s the drugs your parents, your kids, your friends are using. These cases can literally change how medicine is practiced.”
If you’re a PI lawyer looking to grow your practice, mass torts are no longer a niche. They are a front line in the evolving landscape of personal injury law and a major opportunity for firms ready to scale, specialize, or partner.
🌄 Why This Matters to the Peak Practice Community
For the Peak Practice community, conversations like this matter because they reveal how legal insight and early action can shape the trajectory of mass tort litigation. Hearing Michael Lynch break down the risks of drugs like Ozempic—and how to identify viable cases before they dominate headlines—gives trial lawyers a tactical edge. The takeaways—recognizing signature injuries, understanding drug approval pitfalls, and anticipating shifts in public perception—equip firms to act with precision, protect clients, and build stronger cases. This is the kind of foresight that helps firms grow their impact while staying ahead of emerging litigation trends.
🎧 Listen to the full podcast conversation on Trial Lawyer View here: https://triallawyerview.com/podcast/michael-lynch/
🔗 Want more insights like this?
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