Tepezza Infusion Hearing Loss Claims 2026: What Patients Need to Know About Their Legal Rights
What Patients Need to Know About Their Legal Rights
If you received Tepezza infusions for thyroid eye disease and later noticed ringing in your ears, muffled hearing, or permanent hearing loss — you are not alone. Thousands of patients across the United States and United Kingdom are now coming forward with the same story: a drug that was supposed to help their eyes may have permanently damaged their hearing.
Tepezza (teprotumumab) was celebrated as a breakthrough when the FDA approved it in January 2020. For the first time, patients with thyroid eye disease had a targeted biological treatment. But what the manufacturer did not adequately disclose — and what a growing body of research now confirms — is that Tepezza carries a significant risk of serious, sometimes irreversible hearing damage.
This guide covers everything you need to know in 2026: the science behind the hearing loss, the current state of litigation, who qualifies to file a claim, what compensation looks like in both the USA and UK, and exactly what steps to take right now.
What Is Tepezza and Who Was It Prescribed To?
Tepezza is an insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R) inhibitor manufactured by Horizon Therapeutics, now owned by Amgen following a $27.8 billion acquisition completed in 2023. It is administered as an intravenous infusion — typically eight infusions over approximately 24 weeks — at a cost of approximately $14,900 per infusion, making a full course of treatment worth roughly $119,200 before insurance.
Thyroid eye disease (TED) is an autoimmune condition in which the muscles, fat, and connective tissue behind the eyes become inflamed and swollen. This causes the eyes to bulge forward (proptosis), creates double vision, and in severe cases can threaten sight. Before Tepezza, treatment options were limited to corticosteroids, orbital radiation, and surgery — none of which addressed the underlying disease mechanism.
Tepezza was genuinely life-changing for many TED patients. The clinical trials showed dramatic reductions in proptosis and double vision. The drug was fast-tracked through FDA approval and rapidly became the standard of care for moderate-to-severe TED.
The problem — as thousands of patients are now discovering — is what it may have done to their ears.
The Science: How Tepezza Damages Hearing
The IGF-1R Mechanism
The biological link between Tepezza and hearing damage is not speculative — it is grounded in well-understood receptor biology. IGF-1R receptors are not found only in the orbital tissue that Tepezza targets. They are also present throughout the inner ear, including in the cochlea — the spiral-shaped organ responsible for converting sound vibrations into neural signals — and in the stria vascularis, which maintains the electrochemical environment essential for hearing function.
When Tepezza blocks IGF-1R systemically, it does not restrict its effects to the eye socket. It affects every tissue in the body that expresses this receptor. The cochlea, which depends on IGF-1R signalling for maintenance and repair, may be particularly vulnerable to this disruption — especially over the extended treatment timeline of a full eight-infusion course.
What the Research Shows
Research published in peer-reviewed journals has documented the pattern with increasing clarity. A 2021 study published in the Journal of the Endocrine Society found that approximately 65% of patients who received Tepezza reported at least one hearing-related adverse event. A subsequent analysis found that a significant proportion of those events persisted after treatment ended — meaning the damage was not simply a temporary side effect.
Documented hearing-related adverse events include:
- Sensorineural hearing loss — damage to the inner ear or auditory nerve, typically permanent
- Tinnitus — persistent ringing, buzzing, or hissing in the ears
- Autophony — hearing one's own voice abnormally loudly, often described as hearing yourself "inside your head"
- Eustachian tube dysfunction — affecting pressure regulation in the middle ear
- Hyperacusis — abnormal sensitivity to everyday sounds
The distinction between reversible and permanent damage is critical — both medically and legally. Patients who experienced tinnitus that resolved after treatment are in a different position than those with documented permanent sensorineural hearing loss. Both may have viable legal claims, but the value and nature of those claims differ significantly.
FDA Label Update: The 2023 Warning That Came Too Late
In 2023 — three years after Tepezza's approval and after hundreds of thousands of infusions had been administered — the FDA required Amgen/Horizon Therapeutics to update Tepezza's prescribing information to include a specific warning about hearing impairment, including serious cases of sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus.
This label update is legally significant for several reasons:
It confirms manufacturer acknowledgment. The addition of a hearing loss warning to the label represents the FDA's and the manufacturer's formal acknowledgment that the causal link between Tepezza and hearing damage is real and clinically significant.
It creates a pre/post divide. Patients who received Tepezza before the 2023 label update were treated under prescribing information that did not adequately warn of this risk. Their physicians, operating in good faith from the available labeling, could not have provided fully informed consent about hearing damage because the manufacturer had not disclosed it.
It establishes a failure-to-warn timeline. Plaintiffs' attorneys will argue that Horizon/Amgen knew or should have known about the hearing risk earlier — potentially from adverse event reports, post-marketing surveillance data, or the basic receptor biology — and that the delayed label update represents a failure to warn that caused preventable harm.
Tepezza Litigation in 2026: MDL Status and What It Means for You
The Federal MDL
Tepezza hearing loss lawsuits have been consolidated into Multidistrict Litigation (MDL) in federal court. MDL consolidation does not mean individual cases are merged into one lawsuit — each plaintiff retains their individual claim. What MDL does is consolidate pre-trial proceedings: discovery, expert witness depositions, and case management motions are handled centrally, saving time and resources.
As of 2026, the Tepezza MDL has grown to include thousands of plaintiffs. Discovery is in active progress, meaning attorneys on both sides are exchanging internal corporate documents, scientific data, clinical trial records, and adverse event reports. Documents obtained in MDL discovery sometimes reveal what manufacturers knew internally — and when — which can be highly significant for establishing failure-to-warn claims.
Bellwether Trials
In large MDLs, courts select a small number of representative cases — called bellwether trials — to go to trial first. These bellwether results serve as a pricing mechanism for the broader litigation: they show both sides what juries are likely to award and provide a framework for global settlement negotiations.
Bellwether trial selections and scheduling are expected to be a major development in the Tepezza MDL in 2026. Watch for news on this front — it will signal whether and when broader settlements might be reached.
What Compensation Could Look Like
Compensation in pharmaceutical hearing loss litigation typically includes multiple categories of damages:
Economic damages:
- Past and future medical expenses (audiological evaluations, hearing aids averaging $4,000–$7,000 per pair, cochlear implant evaluation and surgery if applicable, ongoing audiological care)
- Lost wages and lost earning capacity if hearing loss has affected employment
- Out-of-pocket costs related to hearing accommodation
Non-economic damages:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life (hearing loss profoundly affects music, conversation, relationships, and quality of life)
- Emotional distress
- Loss of consortium (impact on marital relationship)
Punitive damages: In cases where the manufacturer's conduct is found to be particularly egregious — for example, if discovery reveals they suppressed or delayed disclosing known hearing risks — punitive damages may be available in addition to compensatory damages.
Settlement ranges in comparable pharmaceutical litigation have varied widely — from $50,000 for mild, resolved tinnitus to $500,000+ for severe permanent sensorineural hearing loss requiring hearing aids or cochlear implants, particularly in younger patients for whom the lifetime impact is greatest.
USA: Costs, Timelines & What to Expect
Filing Costs
Tepezza hearing loss attorneys work on a contingency fee basis — you pay zero upfront. Attorney fees (typically 33%–40% of recovery) and litigation costs (expert witnesses, medical record retrieval, filing fees) are advanced by the law firm and deducted only if you win or settle. If there is no recovery, you owe nothing.
Statute of Limitations
Every US state has a deadline for filing personal injury claims — typically two to three years from the date of injury or the date you discovered (or reasonably should have discovered) the connection between Tepezza and your hearing loss. Some key state deadlines:
- California: 2 years from discovery
- New York: 3 years from injury
- Texas: 2 years from injury
- Florida: 2 years from discovery (changed from 4 years in 2023)
- Illinois: 2 years from discovery
Do not assume you are outside the window without consulting an attorney — the discovery rule frequently extends deadlines beyond what patients expect.
Top Law Firms Handling Tepezza Claims in 2026
Several nationally recognised mass tort firms are actively accepting Tepezza hearing loss cases:
- Levin Papantonio Rafferty — Pensacola, FL; one of the largest pharmaceutical litigation firms in the US
- Motley Rice LLC — nationwide practice with significant pharmaceutical MDL experience
- Weitz & Luxenberg — New York-based firm with extensive drug injury practice
- The Lanier Law Firm — Houston, TX; known for high-value pharmaceutical verdicts
- Goldenberg Law — Minneapolis, MN; specialist pharmaceutical injury firm
UK: Tepezza Claims and Your Legal Position
Tepezza received European Medicines Agency (EMA) approval in 2023 and has been available in the UK through NHS England's Highly Specialised Technologies (HST) programme and through private ophthalmology and endocrinology practices. UK patients who received Tepezza — whether through the NHS or privately — and developed hearing damage have potential legal options.
Legal Framework in the UK
UK pharmaceutical injury claims proceed under two primary frameworks:
Product Liability (Consumer Protection Act 1987): Manufacturers can be held liable for defective products that cause personal injury without the need to prove negligence. The key question is whether the product was defective — i.e., whether it failed to provide the safety that persons generally are entitled to expect. A drug that damages hearing without adequate warning may qualify.
Negligence: A claim that the manufacturer owed and breached a duty of care in how the product was designed, tested, or its risks communicated to prescribers and patients.
UK Costs
UK pharmaceutical personal injury solicitors typically work on No Win No Fee (Conditional Fee Agreement) terms. If successful, the solicitor's success fee (up to 25% of damages) is typically deducted from your compensation. After-the-event (ATE) insurance protects you from paying the defendant's legal costs if you lose.
Time Limits in the UK
UK personal injury claims must generally be brought within 3 years of the date of injury or the date of knowledge — whichever is later. For drug injury claims where the connection between the drug and the harm was not immediately apparent, the 3-year clock typically starts when the claimant knew or should reasonably have known that their hearing damage was attributable to Tepezza.
Pricing & Cost Breakdown: What You Need to Know
| Item | USA Cost | UK Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full Tepezza treatment course | ~$119,200 | ~£95,000 (NHS/private) |
| Audiological evaluation | $200–$500 | £150–£400 |
| Hearing aids (per pair) | $4,000–$7,000 | £1,500–£5,000 |
| Cochlear implant (if needed) | $30,000–$50,000 | NHS-funded or £20,000–£40,000 private |
| Attorney fees (contingency) | 33–40% of recovery | 25% success fee (CFA) |
| Filing a claim | $0 upfront | £0 upfront (No Win No Fee) |
Who Qualifies: Eligibility Checklist
Go through this checklist to assess whether you may have a viable Tepezza hearing loss claim:
✅ You received Tepezza (teprotumumab) infusions — confirm through your infusion centre records or pharmacy documentation
✅ You developed hearing symptoms — tinnitus, hearing loss, autophony, Eustachian tube dysfunction, or any auditory changes during or after your treatment course
✅ There is a temporal connection — your hearing symptoms began during infusions or within a reasonable period after completing treatment
✅ You have (or can obtain) medical documentation — audiological test results, physician notes, or records of hearing-related complaints
✅ You are within the statute of limitations — two to three years from discovery in most US states; three years in the UK
Even if you are not certain about some of these criteria, a free consultation with a Tepezza litigation attorney will clarify your position at no cost or obligation.
Practical Steps: What to Do Right Now
Step 1: Get a Formal Audiological Evaluation
If you have not had your hearing professionally tested since your Tepezza treatment, schedule an appointment with an audiologist. Request a full audiogram, speech discrimination testing, and tympanometry. This creates an objective, dated medical record of your current hearing status — essential for any legal claim.
Step 2: Gather Your Treatment Records
Contact the infusion centre, hospital, or clinic where you received Tepezza and request your complete treatment records, including infusion dates, dosing information, and any adverse event documentation. Your prescribing physician's notes are also valuable.
Step 3: Document Your Symptoms
Write down a detailed timeline: when you first noticed hearing changes, what symptoms you experienced, how they have evolved, and how they have affected your daily life, work, and relationships. This personal account supplements medical records and is important for non-economic damages.
Step 4: Consult a Tepezza Litigation Attorney
Contact a law firm experienced in pharmaceutical MDL litigation for a free case evaluation. Most firms can complete an initial assessment within 24–48 hours and will tell you clearly whether your case meets the current criteria for the MDL.
Step 5: Act Before Your Deadline
Do not delay. Statutes of limitations run regardless of your health status, the litigation's progress, or whether you feel ready. Missing a filing deadline permanently bars your claim, regardless of its merits.
5 Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: My hearing improved after I finished Tepezza infusions. Can I still file a claim?
Yes. Even temporary hearing damage — tinnitus that resolved, temporary muffled hearing, or autophony that improved — may support a claim, particularly if it affected your quality of life during the period it occurred and caused you to seek medical attention. The value of your claim will depend on the severity and duration of symptoms, but temporary harm is not automatically disqualifying. Consult an attorney to evaluate your specific situation.
Q2: What is the difference between tinnitus and sensorineural hearing loss in terms of claim value?
Permanent sensorineural hearing loss — particularly at frequencies that affect speech comprehension — is generally more valuable than tinnitus alone, because it requires ongoing accommodation (hearing aids, potentially cochlear implants) and has a measurable, objective impact on function. However, severe, chronic tinnitus that significantly affects sleep, concentration, and daily life is also a compensable harm. An audiologist's evaluation will document which condition (or combination) you have.
Q3: My doctor prescribed Tepezza and never mentioned hearing risk. Does that affect my claim?
It is relevant context but does not necessarily reflect negligence on your physician's part — particularly if your treatment occurred before the 2023 FDA label update, when prescribing information did not include adequate hearing risk warnings. The primary liability in pharmaceutical failure-to-warn cases lies with the manufacturer, not the prescribing physician. Your physician prescribed based on the information Horizon/Amgen provided.
Q4: I live in the UK. Can I join the US MDL?
No — the US federal MDL is open only to US plaintiffs. UK patients must pursue claims through UK legal channels. However, UK claims are viable under the Consumer Protection Act 1987 and in negligence. UK solicitors are beginning to assess Tepezza hearing loss claims, and the 3-year UK limitation period from date of knowledge applies.
Q5: How much is a Tepezza hearing loss case worth in 2026?
There is no fixed settlement amount — case values depend on the severity and permanence of hearing damage, patient age (younger patients have longer exposure to harm and greater lifetime impact), employment impact, and the specific facts of each case. Comparable pharmaceutical hearing loss settlements in the US have ranged from $50,000 for mild, resolved cases to $300,000–$500,000+ for severe permanent hearing loss in working-age adults. Global MDL settlement averages are not yet established as of early 2026 — bellwether trial outcomes will help define these ranges.
Conclusion
Tepezza delivered real benefits to thousands of thyroid eye disease patients. But for many of those same patients, it came with a cost that was not disclosed, not adequately warned about, and in some cases, not reversible: damage to their hearing.
The 2023 FDA label update confirming the hearing risk arrived too late for patients who were already permanently affected. Those patients — in the United States and increasingly in the United Kingdom — now have legal options that could provide meaningful compensation for their medical costs, lost income, and diminished quality of life.
If you received Tepezza and noticed any changes to your hearing, do not wait to explore your legal rights. Consultations are free, representation is contingency-based, and the clock on your filing deadline is already running.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or medical advice. Tax treatment, legal rights, and compensation availability vary by individual circumstances and jurisdiction. Always consult a qualified attorney licensed in your jurisdiction and a medical professional before making decisions based on this content. Statistics and figures cited reflect available information as of early 2026 and are subject to change.
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