Tepezza Hearing Loss Lawsuit Update 2026: Thyroid Eye Disease Drug Compensation
Table of Contents
1. January 2026: The Current State of Litigation
The Tepezza litigation is no longer in its infancy. As we enter 2026, the case count in MDL 3072 has reached 273 pending actions, a steady but significant number for such a specialized drug.
The Canceled Status Conference and “Behind-the-Scenes” Movement
A key status hearing scheduled for early January 2026 was canceled, with lawyers instead arranging private discussions with the court to coordinate the final trial milestones. This often signals that the “discovery phase” (where evidence is exchanged) is winding down, and both sides are hunkering down for the first courtroom battles.
The Final Trial Schedule for 2026
After several delays in 2025, the court has locked in a series of Bellwether Trials—initial cases that set the “market value” for future settlements.
- First Trial: Set to begin June 8, 2026.
- Subsequent Trials: August, September, and November 2026.
- Significance: If the June trial result is a massive award for the plaintiff, Horizon Therapeutics (now part of Amgen) may be pressured into a global settlement to avoid losing billions in the following trials.
2. The Core Allegation: “Failure to Warn”
The primary reason patients are winning legal ground in 2026 is based on the legal concept of Failure to Warn.
When the FDA approved Tepezza in 2020, the manufacturer claimed that hearing-related side effects occurred in only 10% of patients and were “temporary and reversible.” However, independent studies—and even Horizon’s internal data—later revealed that the risk was as high as 65%, and for many, the damage was permanent.
The whistleblower factor: In 2025, reports emerged of a whistleblower who allegedly warned the company about these auditory risks early on but was silenced. This evidence of “prior knowledge” is the “smoking gun” that plaintiffs’ attorneys are using to seek punitive damages in 2026.
3. The Science: Why Tepezza Attacks the Ears
When Tepezza blocks these receptors, it can lead to:
- Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SNHL): Permanent damage to the inner ear hair cells.
- Tinnitus: A persistent, debilitating ringing or buzzing in the ears.
- Patulous Eustachian Tube: A rare condition where the ear canal stays open, causing patients to hear their own voice or breathing abnormally loud (Autophony).
4. 2026 Eligibility: Do You Qualify for Compensation?
If you used Tepezza and experienced hearing changes, you must meet specific criteria to be part of the 2026 settlement pool.
A. Use of Tepezza (Teprotumumab)
You must have received Tepezza infusions for Thyroid Eye Disease. Most lawsuits involve patients who received treatment between January 2020 and July 2023 (before the warning label was updated).
B. Documented Hearing Injuries
You must have a medical diagnosis of:
- Permanent or partial hearing loss.
- Chronic Tinnitus (ringing in ears).
- Hyperacusis (sensitivity to sound).
- Sensation of “fullness” or “plugging” in the ears.
C. The “Timing” Factor
Your hearing issues must have started during or shortly after your Tepezza infusions. If your hearing loss began years later, it may be harder to prove “causation” in court.
5. Compensation Estimates: What is a Tepezza Claim Worth?
While no global settlement has been reached as of January 2026, legal experts are using tiered settlement models based on the severity of the injury.
| Injury Tier | Description | 2026 Estimated Payout Range |
| Tier 1 (Severe) | Total deafness, permanent SNHL requiring cochlear implants or hearing aids in both ears. | $175,000 – $450,000+ |
| Tier 2 (Moderate) | Significant hearing loss in one ear or severe chronic Tinnitus that affects daily work/life. | $100,000 – $175,000 |
| Tier 3 (Mild) | Temporary hearing loss, muffled hearing, or intermittent Tinnitus. | $50,000 – $100,000 |
Note: These are projections based on 2026 litigation trends. Punitive damages (if awarded by a jury) could significantly increase these numbers.
6. Damages You Can Recover
A successful Tepezza claim in 2026 can cover both Economic and Non-Economic damages:
- Medical Bills: The cost of audiologists, specialized testing, and lifelong hearing aid replacements.
- Lost Wages: If your hearing loss prevented you from performing your job (especially for musicians, pilots, or customer service roles).
- Pain and Suffering: The emotional toll of losing a primary sense and the social isolation often caused by deafness.
- Loss of Consortium: The impact on your relationship with your spouse due to your injury.
7. The 2026 Legal Process: Step-by-Step
If you are just now realizing that your hearing loss was caused by Tepezza, here is how the process works in 2026:
- Medical Validation: Visit an audiologist immediately. Objective hearing tests (Audiograms) are the most critical evidence in your case.
- Case Evaluation: Contact a law firm that is already active in MDL 3072. Most offer a “No Win, No Fee” (Contingency) arrangement.
- Fact Discovery: Your lawyer will collect your Tepezza infusion logs and medical history.
- The Wait for Bellwethers: Most cases are currently “on hold” until the June 2026 trial results come in. These results will dictate whether the manufacturer offers a settlement or continues to fight.
Conclusion: A Final Window for Victims
The Tepezza Hearing Loss Lawsuit is at a tipping point. With the FDA-mandated label change in July 2023, the window for “new” victims to claim they weren’t warned is narrowing. 2026 is the year of accountability for Horizon Therapeutics.
As the June trial date approaches, the pressure is on the manufacturer to resolve these claims. If you have been living with the “sound of silence” or the “ringing of tinnitus” after your TED treatment, 2026 is your year to seek the compensation required to rebuild your quality of life.
Related: 3M Earplugs Settlement Update 2026 : https://thecasemetric.com/3m-earplugs-settlement-2026-payout-chart-timeline-and-dpp-updates/
Related: Google Incognito Lawsuit: https://thecasemetric.com/google-incognito-lawsuit-google-to-delete-billions-of-private-records-in-5-billion-settlement/