Tepezza Hearing Loss Lawsuit | August 2024 Update

Legally Reviewed

This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy and clarity by attorney Matthew Dolman and is as accurate as possible. Matthew is a licensed attorney with twenty years of legal experience. His practice includes mass tort claims and representing plaintiffs in product liability lawsuits. Matt and his team of experienced personal injury lawyers have collected $250,000,000.00 in compensation for injury victims and have represented over 7500 individuals. Matthew represents individuals in the Tepezza hearing lose lawsuit against Horizon Therapeutics. This content should not be taken as legal advice from an attorney.

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Tepezza Hearing Loss Lawsuit Table Of Contents

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August 29, 2024 - Slow Progress in Tepezza MDL

The next status conference in the Tepezza MDL is scheduled for September 5, 2024. Earlier this summer, the defense sought to banish a bellwether discovery case by filing a motion to dismiss, citing that the plaintiffs failed to state a claim.

Oral arguments over this motion are set for October 16, 2024, but the decision will only affect that specific case. Other than this, August hasn't been very busy in the Tepezza MDL.

August 20, 2024 - Deposition Agreement Reached in Tepezza MDL

The parties in the Tepezza MDL have reached an agreement over the number and scheduling of depositions. According to the Joint Status Report, they have agreed on a total number of depositions and to split them into two phases: the first phase will finish by February 14, 2025, and the second will run from then until April 10, 2025.

They also reached a consensus on some procedural aspects of the depositions. We still believe these cases may settle more quickly than typical MDLs, potentially well before the first bellwether trial in 2026.

July 30, 2024 - Ongoing Deposition Dispute in Tepezza MDL

Horizon recently filed a motion to dismiss that we expect to fail. Meanwhile, attorneys from both sides in the Tepezza MDL are set to meet to address disagreements over the scope and quantity of corporate and expert witness depositions. The defendants aim to limit the number of corporate depositions, while the plaintiffs want as many as possible.

A report on the progress of these negotiations is expected to be submitted to the MDL judge sometime this week.

July 17, 2024 - Tepezza Settlement Mediation Approaches

This month, a mediation will be held to settle the Tepezza cases. We don't think it will pan out but there is always hope that they can make some progress toward a settlement.

July 12, 2024 - Mixed News in Tepezza Litigation

The Tepezza litigation has seen both positive and negative developments. On the positive side, the court has set dates for the bellwether trials:

• First Bellwether Plaintiff Trial: March 9, 2026
• Second Bellwether Plaintiff Trial: May 4, 2026
• Third Bellwether Plaintiff Trial: June 29, 2026
• Fourth Bellwether Plaintiff Trial: August 24, 2026

However, the downside is that the first trial is still 20 months away. There is speculation about the possibility of an early settlement before reaching 2026, which is unusual in MDLs but could happen given the smaller scale of this litigation.

July 2, 2024: More Tepezza Cases File in July 2024

As of July 2024, 138 lawsuits related to hearing loss purportedly caused by Tepezza were pending in multidistrict litigation (MDL).

These cases are still in the early stages, with no trials scheduled or settlements reached yet. However, on June 11, 2024, the court selected a group of 12 cases to serve as bellwethers.

Discovery for these bellwether cases will proceed over the coming months, with four trials expected to occur in 2026.

April 8, 2024: Tepezza Litigation Continues to Grow

As of date, there are now 107 Tepezza lawsuits that have been filed into the MDL and pending in
United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. The case uniformly claim that
Tepezza infusion treatment caused incomplete or complete hearing loss.

March 19, 2024: Modifications to Tepezza Lawsuit Deadlines

Lawyers on both sides have agreed to step up the deadlines that were decided in a previous court order. This includes selecting the group of initial bellwether cases and clarifying procedures that will affect expert witnesses. These adjustments are meant to streamline the litigation process.

March 6, 2024: Waiting on the Results of the Status Hearing

A status hearing was held to discuss the progress of the Tepezza MDL. However, we don't know what happened in that hearing. Public information on what was discussed or any decisions that were made might take some time to become available.

March 1, 2024: Increase in Lawsuit Filings

The Tepezza MDL saw a significant rise in new cases last month. A total of 19 new hearing loss lawsuits were transferred into the MDL, bringing the total number of pending cases to 93. This is the highest monthly increase in claims since the start of the MDL.

February 8, 2024: Discovery Progress and Agreement

The Tepezza hearing loss MDL has continued its slow growth. Both parties have agreed to document production by Horizon, which signifies some movement forward in the discovery phase of the litigation. Now, they can start exchanging information and documents.

However, this process likely won't be completed until the end of 2024 which means it might take longer for attorneys to analyze the information and more time to reach settlements with plaintiffs. This means settlements for the Tepezza lawsuits are not likely to start until 2025.

January 31, 2024: Status Hearing and Slow Start

The next status hearing for the Tepezza hearing loss MDL is scheduled for March 6, 2024. Since the MDL's establishment in June 2023, only 33 additional cases have joined, which is a slow start to the MDL lawsuit.

January 9, 2024 - Request for Additional Review Time in Bellwether Case Selection

Today both the plaintiffs and defendants in the Tepezza case have jointly asked the court for a 60-day extension for the selection of the initial bellwether cases. The lawyers both need ample time to review the medical records and relevant documents.

December 18, 2023: Increase in Pending Tepezza Cases

The Tepezza hearing damage MDL now has 71 pending cases, marking an increase of 12 cases from the previous month. This is a big rise in the number of cases when considering previous months.

December 1, 2023: Early Discovery Disputes in Tepezza MDL

Plaintiffs' lawyers in the Tepezza MDL have filed what is called a Narrative Submission ahead of the upcoming conference because of claims that the defendants haven’t completely complied with initial discovery requests.

November 20, 2023: New Plaintiff in Tepezza Litigation

A Florida woman has joined the Tepezza hearing loss class action litigation, alleging that she has suffered permanent hearing loss and tinnitus after receiving Tepezza infusions for thyroid eye disease (TED).

November 19, 2023: Slow Growth in Tepezza MDL

The Tepezza MDL only gained 5 new cases in the last month, bringing the total to 59 cases. This low number of cases could potentially benefit the victims by simplifying the settlement process and ensuring that they get the money they need sooner.

November 6, 2023: Key Ruling in Tepezza Litigation

Judge Durkin ruled that Horizon Therapeutics can be sued for not designing a safer Tepezza version before FDA approval. This ruling dismisses the defense's preemption argument.

November 2, 2023: Bellwether Trial Selection Process Defined

The Tepezza MDL Judge has finally established the process for selecting which cases will be used in the bellwether trials. After both parties gave their input earlier this year, it has been decided that a pool of 12 cases will be chosen, with plaintiffs and defendants picking 4 each and the remaining 4 selected randomly.

October 21, 2023: Progress in Tepezza Bellwether Discussions

The Tepezza status conference focused on the bellwether trial dates and indicating progress in the case.

October 17, 2023: Initial Slowness in Tepezza MDL

No new cases were added to the Tepezza hearing loss class action MDL in the last month. This is common in MDLs and may reflect a moderately sized plaintiff field. However, lots of times it’s a matter of the word getting around to people who have suffered hearing loss and have taken Tepezza, but never knew that one caused the other.

October 12, 2023: Postponed Status Conference in Tepezza Case

The scheduled status conference for October 12, 2023, has been delayed to October 19, with mandatory in-person attendance for all lawyers.

Oct 6, 2023: Amgen Acquires Horizon Therapeutics

According to Reuters, Amgen has completed the $27.8 billion acquisition of Horizon Therapeutics last month.

October 2, 2023: Major Status Hearing Scheduled for Tepezza MDL

Judge Durkin scheduled the first major status hearing for the Tepezza class action MDL for October 12, 2023, where it is expected that they will address a dispute over protocol and technical details.

September 18, 2023: Incremental Growth in Tepezza MDL

The Tepezza lawsuit MDL now has 54 cases in it, a slight increase from June.

September 14, 2023: Discovery Management in Tepezza Litigation

Judge Weisman has been appointed the role of overseeing the discovery process in the Tepezza class action, including the authority to modify deadlines and manage settlement meetings.

September 1, 2023: Accelerated Bellwether Schedule Proposed

The plaintiffs in the Tepezza Hearing Loss MDL want to get started on the bellwether trials so things can get moving along.

August 30, 2023: Differing Bellwether Proposals in Tepezza MDL

Both parties in the Tepezza class action MDL have submitted proposals relating to the bellwether trial. The plaintiffs want six cases (three by each side) for an initial pool while the defense's proposal calls for a larger initial pool of 10 cases. These two proposals are close enough that they will not slow litigation. 

August 25, 2023: Joint Statement on ESI Protocol and Bellwether Plan

Parties in the Tepezza lawsuits have submitted a joint statement of the plan for the bellwether trial and strategies for trial preparation and potential settlements.

August 18, 2023: New Individual Lawsuit in Tepezza MDL

A new individual lawsuit, Zafar v. Horizon Therapeutics, was filed in the Tepezza MDL by a Florida man, alleging permanent tinnitus and hearing loss due to Tepezza infusions and a lack of adequate warnings about the risks.

August 15, 2023: Gradual Increase in Tepezza MDL Cases

The Tepezza MDL has now been updated to 46 cases since its formation in June, indicating a steady increase in case volume for the first time.

August 2, 2023: New Case Filings in Tepezza MDL is Sporadic

There were 16 new Tepezza cases filed in June and 3 in July.

July 25, 2023: Horizon Pharmaceuticals Under Scrutiny

Horizon Pharmaceuticals is facing increased scrutiny for not adequately warning patients about the risks of hearing loss when taking Tepezza now that the FDA has updated Tepezza’s warning to reflect the potential for severe auditory damage.

July 18, 2023: Slow Start for Tepezza MDL

Only one new case was added to the Tepezza hearing damage class action MDL in its first month. This brings the total to 42 cases, though new MDLs are usually slow at the beginning.

July 1, 2023: First Status Conference for Tepezza Lawsuit

The first status conference for the Tepezza lawsuit was held to see where things stand with the case. It is expected that Tepezza victims will receive higher and quicker settlements than people in similar lawsuits.

June 19, 2023: Initial Status Conference for Tepezza MDL

Judge Durkin will conduct the first status conference for the Tepezza class action MDL on June 28, 2023, to familiarize himself with the litigation and discuss management strategies. The appointment of leadership roles will also be discussed at the conference.

June 12, 2023: Tepezza Files Motion to Appoint Leadership Roles

Tepezza lawyers filed a motion today asking Judge Durkin to appoint several lawyers to leadership roles in the Tepezza  MDL.

June 5, 2023: Official Launch of Tepezza Class Action Lawsuit

An MDL for the Tepezza Hearing Loss Lawsuits against Horizon has been officially formed because of the manufacturer's alleged failure to warn about hearing loss and tinnitus risks. Judge Thomas M. Durkin will preside over the case.

May 31, 2023: New Individual Tepezza Lawsuit Filed in Ohio

A lawsuit was filed in Ohio by a person alleging they suffered permanent hearing loss due to Tepezza infusions without being properly warned about the severe risks associated with the drug.

May 22, 2023: Amgen-Horizon Acquisition Update

Amgen's planned acquisition of Horizon Therapeutics has potentially been blocked by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

May 11, 2023: Debate Over Tepezza MDL Consolidation

Plaintiffs seeking the consolidation of Tepezza cases in an MDL is facing pushback from Horizon Therapeutics which argues an MDL is not needed because of the small number of cases. 

May 8, 2023: Increasing Tepezza Lawsuits Support MDL Formation

The number of Tepezza lawsuits keeps growing which further supports the idea that these cases need to be put into an MDL.

April 25, 2023: Anticipation for MDL Decision on Tepezza Cases

Arguments are scheduled for May for a panel of federal judges from the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) to hear arguments to decide whether or not an MDL for Tepezza hearing loss claims is necessary.

April 4, 2023: Stanford Study on Tepezza and Hearing Loss

A Stanford University study suggests that reducing the number of Tepezza injection doses significantly lowers a patient’s risk of hearing loss. The study also mentioned another significant point: Tepezza claims hearing loss affects about 10% of patients, but the study by Stanford showed the risk is significantly higher, reaching up to 65%.

March 25, 2023: Motion for Tepezza MDL Consolidation

A motion was filed to consolidate all the Tepezza hearing loss cases into multidistrict litigation (MDL) due to 18 different cases pending across five federal districts. The Northern District of California seems to be the preferred venue.

March 24, 2023: Increase in Tepezza Hearing Loss Lawsuits

The total number of Tepezza hearing damage cases now sits at 34, with 13 cases possibly settled through “voluntary dismissals” meaning Tepezza most likely settled with the plaintiffs. 

February 16, 2023: Recent Tepezza Lawsuit Filing Highlights

So far, there have been 9 Tepezza lawsuits filed since the beginning of 2023, including the case in Illinois where the plaintiff alleges that they suffered permanent hearing loss and tinnitus because of Tepezza

February 14, 2023: Horizon Seeks Motion to Prevent Tepezza Claims

Horizon Therapeutics has tried to get the court to dismiss Tepezza hearing loss claims under federal preemption, arguing that FDA regulations on warning label changes came before the plaintiffs' claims.

January 19, 2023: Mini-MDL Proposal for Illinois Tepezza Cases

A group of plaintiffs proposed consolidating 10 Tepezza Hearing Loss Lawsuits in the Northern District of Illinois, potentially creating a mini-MDL within the district so that cases can be streamlined, saving everyone involved in some time.

January 9, 2023: Amgen's Acquisition of Horizon and Its Impact on Tepezza Litigation

One of the biggest pharmaceutical companies in the world, Amgen, was planning on acquiring Horizon Therapeutics, the maker of Tepezza. However, now they have filed a lawsuit because of concerns Horizon did not disclose that Tepezza could cause hearing loss. If Amgen does acquire Horizon, however, it will potentially benefit future plaintiffs because Amgen has many more resources available to pay out settlements.

December 13, 2022 - Patience May Need a Second Injection of Tepezza

Tepezza is now saying that patients of thyroid eye disease (TED) may require a second round of injections to benefit from the drug. This constitutes a serious concern for people who know that Tepezza may elevate the risk of permanent hearing loss or tinnitus.

What Are Defective Prescriptions and Is Tepezza Defective?

Some prescription medications have adverse side effects that outweigh the drug’s promised benefits. These drugs are considered defective prescriptions, and many users do not know about or understand the potentially dangerous consequences they face when taking these meds. In fact, a recent study linked Tepezza to potential dangerous side effects, including hearing loss and persistent ringing in the ears known as tinnitus. 

The risk that Tepezza patients might develop these side effects now appears greater than Horizon Therapeutics initially reported. 

If you take Tepezza and worry about how it may harm you, read on. If you have already experienced adverse side effects while taking Tepezza, contact our mass tort attorneys for more information.

Tepezza Study Discloses Potential Serious Side Effects in 65% of Patients

Doctors commonly prescribe Tepezza for patients with thyroid eye disease, also known by its generic name: teprotumumab. Patients receive regular injections of Tepezza to help reduce eye bulging and slow the effects of TED.

In 2021, the Stanford University School of Medicine conducted a small study of Tepezza users. The results showed that 65% of the participants experienced adverse effects, including hearing loss, ringing in the ears, and muffled hearing. Some impairments appear permanent, but more time is needed to confirm this conclusion because the study only followed the participants for three months.

This percentage of affected users is far greater than the initial clinical studies provided by the drug manufacturer. The preliminary tests submitted to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) by Horizon Therapeutics reported only 10% of users might have hearing-related issues.

The primary complaints reported in the recent study include:

• Autophony - the sensation that your own voice is loud in your ears,
• Tinnitus - persistent ringing in the ears,
• Subjective hearing loss, and 
• The feeling that your ears are plugged.

Three of the patients developed Patulous Eustachian Tube disorder, where the tubes that run from the back of the throat to the middle ear stay open. Normally, these channels should only open when you need to regulate air pressure around your eardrums, for example, during a sneeze or abrupt change in altitude.

Some of the study participants’ issues improved after a few months, while others did not. The researchers recommended further studies to evaluate these risk factors and better inform patients who are considering using Tepezza. Meanwhile, mass tort Tepezza lawsuits are growing to protect Tepezza users and provide compensation for their losses.

Are You Experiencing Any of These Potential Tepezza Side Effects?

Sadly, although Tepezza seems to improve some TED-related conditions, such as protruding eyes, double vision, and tissue inflammation, it may also cause serious hearing issues in some users.

Treating hearing loss can be expensive, time-consuming, and problematic. Hearing loss can also lead to major life changes, stress, embarrassment, and other non-economic losses. Under a failure to warn legal theory, when drug manufacturers sell defective prescriptions without adequate warnings about potential side effects, they can face legal liability for the harm caused by the drug. 

Drug users who are harmed by products that do not warn about potential adverse effects can hold the manufacturers and sometimes the distributor and retailers responsible for their losses–both economic and non-economic as described below. In these cases, Tepezza users were not warned about the possibility that taking medication to treat eye conditions could lead to hearing problems.

The most common side effects suffered by Tepezza patients who reported hearing-related problems include:

• Eustachian tube dysfunction - abnormal pressure, pain, or stuffiness in the middle ear,
• Hyperacusis - super sensitivity to noise and regular sounds,
• Partial or permanent hearing loss,
• Autophony - your own voice sounds extra loud in your head, or you hear echoing, and
• Tinnitus - ringing in the ears.

If you take Tepezza or have received Tepezza injections and you have any of these conditions, you may recover compensation for your losses, also known as legal damages. Contact one of our mass tort lawyers to learn more about your legal rights.

What Compensation Can You Request From a Tepezza Mass Tort Claim?

Losing one of your five major senses can change your life in many ways. Specifically, even partial hearing loss can hurt your career, personal relationships, emotional well-being, daily functioning, and overall quality of life. It’s even more frustrating when you try to treat one sensory condition (vision) and potentially damage another (hearing).

If you have been harmed by taking Tepezza, you probably want to know about your legal options. Before we discuss the various losses you can claim in a mass tort product liability case, here’s a quick explanation of the legal terms involved. 

What is a Mass Tort Claim?

When many people suffer injuries from the same product, US laws allow mass tort litigation to help compensate the injured product users. Mass tort is defined as an act or omission that harms many people. These legal actions are not a single lawsuit. They are groups of individual cases alleging the same issues and injuries caused by the same defendants. 

Patients trust medications like Tepezza to treat a specific condition and improve their health. However, when a drug steals your hearing, causes pain or discomfort, and changes your ability to function in society, you have every right to feel betrayed. And you are not alone. Many other Tepezza users have suffered harmful side effects that now form the basis of a mass tort action. 

If Tepezza’s side effects caused hearing loss or other auditory issues, you may bring or join a mass tort claim against the manufacturer.

What is a Product Liability Lawsuit?

When a dangerous product is involved, consumers’ legal actions are called product liability cases. If you succeed in a product liability claim, you can request compensation for your out-of-pocket expenses and other losses related to your injuries.

We know Tepezza-related hearing loss can hurt you in many ways. Product liability and mass tort cases allow injured victims to request payment from the product or drug manufacturer to compensate them for their legal damages in a civil lawsuit. Damages can include both economic and non-economic losses related to an injury caused by the defective product or tortious act. 

Recent studies show that Tepezza’s side effects can inflict severe harm and create costly damages. For example, if you suffer permanent hearing loss, it can influence almost every aspect of your future life.

However, you don’t have to face an uncertain future alone. Reach out to speak with one of our compassionate product liability lawyers who can explain the damages you may request in your unique situation. Let’s look at some general Tepezza-related losses you may be facing.

Potential Tepezza Hearing Loss Economic Damages

In general, economic damages include financial losses that you can show with a bill, receipt, or other written document. Typical economic damages include:

• Medical costs, including both current expenses and reasonably expected future expenses. The damages inflicted by Tepezza may last a long time and cause severe suffering, but each case is different. Depending on your specific condition, you may need simple medical treatment, surgery, therapy, or ongoing care for many years.
• Lost income, including both current and expected future lost income. If your employment requires strong hearing skills, you could lose your job or need to accept a different, lower-paying position. Hearing loss could end your career and lead to serious financial repercussions.
• Other verifiable financial losses related to your injury. For example, you may need to purchase hearing aids or other appliances to improve your hearing or reduce pain and discomfort.

Possible Tepezza Non-Economic Damages

If Tepezza injured you, you may also incur non-economic damages. These losses are not simple to calculate, but they can be substantial. Most courts recognize non-economic losses as recoverable personal damages and a skilled personal injury lawyer can help place a value on your specific situation.

For example, if you suffer permanent hearing loss, you will have to adapt to living in a world without sound. You may need to learn sign language, acquire a service pet to help you, and otherwise face the emotional distress that comes with losing your hearing. If you suffered hearing loss caused by Tepezza, you may receive compensation for your emotional devastation, embarrassment, and daily frustrations. 

Other non-economic losses you may claim from a Tepezza-related hearing loss may include:

• The loss of family relationships, 
• The loss of life enjoyment, and 
• Pain and suffering.

Our Tepezza mass tort lawyers can explain which damages you deserve and estimate your potential recovery in a product liability lawsuit brought against the manufacturer of Tepezza. 

Can You File a Tepezza Lawsuit?

If you used Tepezza to treat your TED and experienced side effects, you may seek compensation for your damages and financial losses. One of our experienced mass tort attorneys can gather information about your unique circumstances and answer your questions to determine whether you may bring a product liability claim for your losses.

In general, to file a product liability lawsuit, you must meet several criteria:

• First, you must have taken Tepezza prescribed by your doctor. 
• Second, you must have experienced significant side effects and damages caused by Tepezza. It is not enough to say you received Tepezza injections. You must also have problems such as hearing loss or eustachian tube dysfunction related to the injections.
• Next, you must prove that Tepezza caused your adverse side effects. Proving causation can be the most complicated element in any product liability case. When you hire an experienced mass tort lawyer to build and present your case, your chances of receiving a fair settlement or trial verdict are greatly increased.
• Finally, you must prove the extent of your injuries and damages to recover the amount you deserve under the law.

Our team of mass tort and product liability lawyers has successfully negotiated settlements and obtained jury verdicts for our clients in these cases. Mass tort and product liability claims are complicated, detail-oriented, and hotly contested matters. Choosing the right law firm to protect your interests is critical, so we urge you to contact us today to discuss your options.

Learn More: FAQs about the Tepezza Hearing Loss Lawsuit

We are a Tepezza Mass Tort Lawsuit Team You Can Trust

Our product liability and mass tort lawyers are ready, willing, and able to help victims that suffered hearing disabilities due to Tepezza infusions. We provide award-winning legal representation and our firm is nationally recognized as a leading personal injury firm. Our team of attorneys brings more than 120 years of combined experience to every case we accept, and we have the track record to prove our effectiveness as negotiators and litigators.

A Tepezza lawsuit, like any product liability lawsuit, requires years of legal experience and extensive financial resources that our firm can provide.

When you work with us, you can expect a professional, responsive team that will listen to you and create a strategic plan based on:

• A thorough assessment of your situation and a preliminary calculation of your Tepezza-related damages,
• Gathering the evidence that is essential for your lawsuit’s success
• Solid legal advice about your rights and options,
• Extensive legal research and financial resources,
• Professional relationships with potential expert witnesses and specialists,
• Decades of settlement negotiation skills, and
• Aggressive legal representation in court if needed.

When you work with our Tepezza mass tort injury lawyers, your case will receive the full weight of our firm supporting you and the undivided attention your case deserves. Our team is responsive, professional, and compassionate. We promise to keep you informed about your case’s progress and explain the many ways we can assist you during such a difficult time.

Learn More About Your Rights as a Tepezza Hearing Loss Victim

Call us for a free consultation and case review if you took Tepezza and suffered hearing loss, tinnitus, or another negative side effect. You may bring a claim or lawsuit to recover compensation related to Tepezza hearing loss with the help of our award-winning product liability team. 

We are one of the country’s most experienced mass tort law firms, and we have handled hundreds of cases against defective drug manufacturers. We will proudly treat you with the respect and personal attention you deserve as we guide you through the maze of mass tort litigation to help you recover the maximum financial compensation possible for your Tepezza-related damages. 

Our Tepezza injury lawyers are ready to listen to the details of your case and discuss how we can help you seek compensation for your injuries and hold Horizon Therapeutics accountable for your losses. To see if you qualify for a Tepezza lawsuit, contact us today at 866-535-9515 or fill out our simple contact form.