MDL stands for Multidistrict Litigation—a federal court process used to coordinate many similar lawsuits so evidence, expert issues, and pretrial rulings can be handled efficiently. In GLP-1 litigation, multiple MDLs now exist, reflecting different alleged injury types.
What an MDL Is
An MDL is not a “class action.” Instead, it is a structure where:
- similar federal lawsuits are transferred into one court
- one judge manages coordinated pretrial proceedings
- cases may later settle, be resolved, or (sometimes) be sent back to their home courts for trial
The Two Key GLP-1 Federal MDLs Right Now
A) MDL 3094 — GI Injuries (Gastroparesis, Ileus, Intestinal Obstruction)
This MDL is titled In re: GLP-1 Receptor Agonists Products Liability Litigation (MDL No. 3094) and is based in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
This MDL generally involves alleged injuries such as:
- gastroparesis / stomach paralysis
- ileus / bowel shutdown
- intestinal obstruction
- severe vomiting → dehydration → organ complications
➡️ Related injury hubs:
B) MDL 3163 — Vision Loss (NAION)
In mid-December 2026, a federal judicial panel created a separate MDL for lawsuits alleging GLP-1 drugs caused non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION)—a condition sometimes described as a sudden “eye stroke.” Reuters reported the new MDL is also assigned to U.S. District Judge Karen S. Marston in Philadelphia.
➡️ Naion Vision Loss (future page)
Why There Are Separate MDLs
Courts often separate MDLs when the cases involve different core injuries, different medical causation questions, and different expert proof.
- MDL 3094: focuses on gastrointestinal/motility injury allegations
- MDL 3163: focuses on NAION/vision loss allegations
What Joining an MDL Means for a Claimant
If your case is in (or transferred into) an MDL, it typically means:
- your case is still your individual lawsuit (not merged into one case)
- evidence and key rulings may be handled in a coordinated way
- the process may move toward bellwether trials and/or structured settlement discussions
➡️ See: Legal Process
➡️ See: Settlements
Do You Have to File in Federal Court?
Not always. Many claimants have:
- federal cases (potentially consolidated into an MDL)
- state court cases (which may be coordinated through state proceedings)
A case review typically determines the best path based on your injury type, timing, and jurisdiction.
What Matters Most Regardless of MDL
Whether a case ends up in an MDL or not, strength usually comes down to:
- serious injury (hospitalization, surgery, organ impairment)
- objective medical proof (labs/imaging/motility testing)
- clear timeline (drug use → symptoms → diagnosis)
- persistence or long-term harm
➡️ Evidence: Medical Records
➡️ Screening factors: What Lawyers Look For
Vision Loss (NAION) MDL — Separate From GI Injury MDL
GLP-1 lawsuits involving blindness and NAION (Non-Arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy) are being handled in a separate federal MDL from gastroparesis and gastrointestinal injury claims.
This separation reflects:
- different medical causation questions
- different expert specialties (ophthalmology vs GI)
- the permanent nature of vision loss injuries
➡️ Vision loss injury hub: /lawsuits/blindness-naion/
➡️ Ozempic NAION cases: /ozempic/side-effects/blindness-naion/
Start a Claim Review
You can begin with minimal information (records not required to start):
➡️ File a Claim
➡️ Criteria
➡️ Statute of Limitations