Tepezza Hearing Loss Lawsuit — Thyroid Eye Disease Drug Side Effects

Tepezza lawsuit claims continue to grow across the United States in 2026. Patients treated with Tepezza for thyroid eye disease allege the drug caused permanent hearing damage. These cases target Amgen Inc., which acquired the drug’s original manufacturer, Horizon Therapeutics, in 2023. The litigation centers on allegations that the company failed to adequately warn patients and doctors about serious hearing risks. Hundreds of cases have been consolidated into federal multidistrict litigation in Illinois. If you experienced hearing damage after Tepezza treatment, you may be eligible to seek compensation.

Case Timeline

Last checked: July 10, 2026

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  • July 10, 2026 (Bellwether Date): The first bellwether trial is set for August 3, 2026, followed by trials on September 28, 2026, November 30, 2026, and February 1, 2027, each running three to four weeks. (Court Record)
  • July 10, 2026 (Settlement): The court vacated upcoming bellwether trial deadlines following a year of court-ordered quarterly settlement negotiations, fueling speculation that Amgen/Horizon may be nearing a global settlement, though none has been officially announced. (Court Record)
  • July 10, 2026 (Case Status): As of the January 2026 update, approximately 273 cases remain pending in MDL-3079 in the Northern District of Illinois, with Amgen (which acquired Horizon Therapeutics in late 2023) carrying the defense. (Court Record)
  • July 03, 2026 (Bellwether Date): Judge Durkin’s revised schedule sets the Tepezza bellwether trials for August 3, September 28, and November 30, 2026 (following the first trial moved to June 8, 2026). (Court Record)
  • July 03, 2026 (Ruling): A July 7, 2026 case management order (unopposed by defendants) extended the bellwether schedule and set plaintiff expert depositions for August 25 through September 19, 2026. (Court Record)
  • July 03, 2026 (Settlement): No global settlement has been reached, but Judge Durkin has ordered parties into quarterly settlement negotiations and the striking/rescheduling of trial dates has fueled speculation that talks are progressing. (Court Record)
  • July 03, 2026 (Case Status): More than 270 Tepezza hearing-loss lawsuits are now pending in MDL-3079 (N.D. Ill.), with Amgen carrying the defense after acquiring Horizon Therapeutics. (Court Record)
  • April 12, 2026: Tepezza Lawsuit Update 2026: Payouts, News, Trials – LawFold.com (LawFold.com)
  • April 19, 2023: Lawsuit alleges teprotumumab-trbw from Horizon Therapeutics caused permanent hearing loss – Ophthalmology Times (Ophthalmology Times)
  • June 26, 2026 (Bellwether Date): Bellwether trials are currently set for August 3, September 28, and November 30, 2026 in MDL-3079, each expected to run three to four weeks. (Court Record)
  • June 26, 2026 (Case Status): Judge Thomas M. Durkin struck all upcoming bellwether trial deadlines (order dated Oct. 15, 2025) and set a status hearing, fueling speculation a global settlement is near. (Court Record)
  • June 26, 2026 (Ruling): A 2026 ruling denied Amgen’s bid to exclude testimony from an otolaryngologist linking teprotumumab to irreversible cochlear damage, strengthening plaintiffs’ causation case. (Court Record)
  • June 26, 2026 (Settlement): No global settlement has been announced as of June 2026, but Durkin has ordered parties to meet quarterly for required settlement negotiations. (Court Record)
  • June 26, 2026 (Case Status): More than 1,800 cases are consolidated in MDL-3079 as of early 2026, with over 270 lawsuits pending in the Northern District of Illinois. (Court Record)
  • June 12, 2026 (Bellwether Date): All bellwether trial dates (originally June 8, Aug 3, Sep 28, Nov 30 2026) were struck by Chief Magistrate Judge Weisman on Nov 6 2025 following off-the-record counsel discussions, and no new dates have been set. (Court Record)
  • June 12, 2026 (Settlement): Court-directed quarterly settlement negotiations continue under Judge Durkin; no global settlement has been publicly announced, but the cancellation of all trial dates signals potential progress toward resolution. (Court Record)
  • June 12, 2026 (Ruling): Judge Durkin denied Amgen/Horizon’s Daubert motion to exclude plaintiffs’ leading otolaryngology expert who linked teprotumumab to irreversible cochlear damage. (Court Record)
  • June 12, 2026 (Case Status): Case count stands at approximately 273 pending cases in MDL-3079 as of early 2026, up slightly from 270 in September 2025. (Court Record)
  • June 12, 2026 (Ruling): A January 8, 2026 status conference was scheduled to address ongoing settlement negotiations and case management; no public order from that conference has surfaced in search results. (Court Record)
  • June 12, 2026 (Other): Fact discovery is closed, key Horizon/Amgen executive depositions are complete, and expert challenges have been largely resolved — the MDL is trial-ready but paused for settlement talks. (Court Record)
  • June 05, 2026 (Bellwether Date): Judge Durkin vacated all bellwether trial deadlines in October 2025 after an off-the-record conference with both sides; originally scheduled dates of June 8, August 3, September 28, and November 30, 2026 were all struck from the calendar. (Court Record)
  • June 05, 2026 (Case Status): As of May 2026, approximately 277 Tepezza hearing loss cases are pending in MDL-3079 (N.D. Ill.), with the MDL growing by about 4 new cases per month. (Court Record)
  • June 05, 2026 (Ruling): Judge Durkin ordered quarterly settlement meetings between the parties and scheduled a January 8, 2026 status conference to address negotiations and case management following the vacatur of all trial dates. (Court Record)
  • June 05, 2026 (Other): No significant new rulings, orders, or settlement announcements have been reported in the last 7 days; the litigation appears to be in a holding pattern while settlement discussions continue behind closed doors. (Court Record)
  • August 27, 2025: Tepezza Hearing Loss Trial Date Pushed Back to Aug. 2026 – AboutLawsuits.com (AboutLawsuits.com)
  • February 01, 2026: Association Between Teprotumumab and Hearing Impairment: A Meta-Analysis – Cureus (Cureus)
  • January 08, 2026: FDA SIDE EFFECTS UPDATE: New Warnings for Stelara, Tepezza, and Other Autoimmune Drugs – MedShadow Foundation (MedShadow Foundation)
  • July 24, 2023: FDA adds hearing loss and impairment warnings to TEPEZZA label – Ophthalmology Times (Ophthalmology Times)
  • May 22, 2026 (Bellwether Date): First bellwether trial delayed to August 3, 2026 (pushed back from June 8, 2026), with subsequent trials set for September 28, November 30, 2026, and February 1, 2027. (Court Record)
  • May 22, 2026 (Ruling): Chief Magistrate Judge Weisman struck all existing bellwether deadlines after an off-the-record discussion with counsel, and scheduled a January 8, 2026 status hearing. (Court Record)
  • May 22, 2026 (Settlement): No official Tepezza settlement announced, but the suspension of all trial deadlines and intensifying behind-the-scenes discussions fuel strong speculation that Amgen (which acquired Horizon Therapeutics in 2023) may be nearing a global settlement. (Court Record)
  • May 22, 2026 (Case Status): More than 1,800 Tepezza hearing loss cases are now consolidated in MDL-3079 in the Northern District of Illinois; discovery is largely complete. (Court Record)
  • May 22, 2026 (Other): Amgen now carries the full defense burden after acquiring Horizon Therapeutics in late 2023; bellwether case selection is underway and each trial is expected to last 3-4 weeks. (Court Record)
  • May 15, 2026 (Bellwether Date): Bellwether trials rescheduled to June 8, August 3, September 28, and November 30, 2026 per a revised case management order. (Court Record)
  • May 15, 2026 (Ruling): Judge Durkin struck all existing bellwether trial deadlines and scheduled a January 8, 2026 status hearing, fueling speculation of imminent global settlement talks. (Court Record)
  • May 15, 2026 (Ruling): Chief Magistrate Judge M. David Weisman held off-the-record discussions with both parties’ counsel, after which all bellwether deadlines were suspended. (Court Record)
  • May 15, 2026 (Settlement): No official Tepezza settlement has been announced, but the suspension of trial deadlines and court-ordered quarterly settlement talks strongly suggest negotiations are active. (Court Record)
  • May 15, 2026 (Settlement): Estimated per-person settlement values range from $75,000 to $200,000+, depending on severity of hearing loss and strength of causation evidence. (Court Record)
  • May 15, 2026 (Case Status): MDL-3079 has approximately 282 total cases (273 pending) as of early 2026, with the broader consolidated litigation exceeding 1,800 claims. (Court Record)
  • May 15, 2026 (Ruling): Judge Durkin directed both parties to meet for settlement discussions at least once per quarter as the litigation advances. (Court Record)
  • What Is the Tepezza Lawsuit About?

    MDL Detail Current Data
    MDL Number MDL-3079
    Pending Cases 277
    Presiding Judge Thomas M. Durkin
    Federal District N.D. Ill.
    Data Source U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation
    Last Updated July 06, 2026

    Tepezza (teprotumumab-trbw) is an injectable biologic drug approved by the FDA in January 2020. It treats thyroid eye disease, a condition also known as Graves’ orbitopathy. The disease causes swelling, bulging, and inflammation behind the eyes. Horizon Therapeutics developed and marketed it as the first FDA-approved treatment for this condition. In October 2023, Amgen Inc. completed its acquisition of Horizon. As a result, Amgen now faces legal responsibility for Tepezza-related injury claims.

    The core allegation in each Tepezza lawsuit is straightforward. Plaintiffs claim the manufacturer knew about serious hearing risks before and after FDA approval. However, the company marketed the drug without adequate warnings about permanent damage. Clinical trial data showed hearing-related side effects during testing. A study at the 2021 Endocrine Society meeting found that 65% of patients experienced hearing problems. A separate 2022 observational study reported that 81.5% developed new or worsening hearing symptoms.

    Injuries alleged in these cases include permanent sensorineural hearing loss, chronic tinnitus, and hyperacusis. Many plaintiffs report significant impacts on their quality of daily life. In most cases, patients received multiple infusions before symptoms appeared. The FDA updated the Tepezza label in July 2023 to include stronger hearing warnings. Plaintiffs argue this label change came years too late for patients already harmed by the drug.

    MDL Case Status and Key Facts

    Detail Information
    MDL Number 3079
    Full Case Name In Re: Tepezza (Teprotumumab) Products Liability Litigation
    Federal District Northern District of Illinois
    Presiding Judge Hon. Thomas M. Durkin
    Approx. Case Count ~280 pending (early 2026)
    Consolidation Date June 2, 2023
    First Bellwether Trial June 8, 2026
    Defendant Amgen Inc. (formerly Horizon Therapeutics)

    The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation consolidated these cases in June 2023. Judge Durkin oversees all federal pretrial proceedings in Chicago. The Tepezza lawsuit docket has grown steadily since consolidation. Approximately 280 cases were pending in the MDL as of early 2026. New cases continue to be filed and transferred into the litigation.

    A bellwether trial program was established in November 2023. Four representative cases were selected to go to trial first. In late 2025, all bellwether deadlines were temporarily canceled amid settlement discussions. However, trial dates have since been rescheduled. The first bellwether trial is now set for June 8, 2026. Additional trials follow in August, September, and November 2026. These outcomes will likely shape settlement discussions for the entire docket.

    Chief Magistrate Judge M. David Weisman has overseen the settlement process. Judge Durkin directed the parties to meet at least once per quarter for negotiations. The bellwether results could determine whether a global resolution is reached or individual trials proceed.

    Who Qualifies for the Tepezza Lawsuit?

    You may qualify for a Tepezza lawsuit claim if you meet certain criteria. You must have received Tepezza infusions for thyroid eye disease. You must also have developed hearing problems during or after your treatment. Qualifying injuries typically include permanent hearing loss, chronic tinnitus, or both. Symptoms may have appeared during the infusion period or in the months that followed.

    The relevant exposure period spans from January 2020 to the present. Tepezza remains on the market with updated safety warnings. However, patients treated before the July 2023 label update have the strongest claims. They received the drug without adequate disclosure of hearing risks. For example, many patients were told that hearing side effects would be temporary and fully reversible.

    Evidence needed to support a claim typically includes medical records showing Tepezza infusion dates and dosage. Audiograms documenting hearing changes before and after treatment are also important. In most cases, attorneys will request records from your prescribing endocrinologist and audiologist. A consultation with a licensed attorney can help determine whether your specific situation qualifies for this litigation.

    How to File a Tepezza Lawsuit Claim

    Filing a Tepezza lawsuit begins with contacting a qualified attorney. Look for a lawyer experienced in pharmaceutical product liability litigation. Many law firms offer free initial case evaluations. Most attorneys handling these cases work on a contingency fee basis. This means you typically pay nothing upfront. The attorney receives a percentage only if you recover compensation.

    After retaining an attorney, you will complete a plaintiff fact sheet. This document details your medical history, Tepezza treatment dates, and hearing injuries. Your legal team will gather supporting records and expert medical opinions. The case is then filed and transferred to the MDL in the Northern District of Illinois for coordinated pretrial proceedings.

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    Statute of limitations deadlines vary by state. Typically, the filing window ranges from two to four years. The clock usually starts when you discovered or should have discovered the injury. Some patients treated in 2020 or 2021 may be approaching their deadlines now. As a result, consulting an attorney promptly is critical. Do not assume you have unlimited time to take legal action.

    Settlement Updates and What to Expect

    No global Tepezza lawsuit settlement has been announced as of May 2026. However, structured settlement negotiations have been ongoing for over a year. The quarterly meetings ordered by the court suggest both sides remain engaged. No individual settlements have been publicly disclosed either. The cancellation and rescheduling of bellwether dates reflects the fluid nature of these discussions.

    The upcoming bellwether trials will play a critical role in shaping outcomes. These test cases help both sides evaluate the strength of evidence and testimony. Bellwether verdicts in pharmaceutical MDLs often accelerate broader settlement talks. If juries award significant damages, the defendant typically faces stronger pressure to negotiate. The June 2026 trial will be closely watched by plaintiffs, defense counsel, and legal analysts.

    Potential settlement values in pharmaceutical MDLs vary widely based on individual circumstances. Severity of hearing loss, patient age, and impact on daily life all matter. Medical expenses and lost income are also key factors. Typically, cases involving permanent bilateral hearing loss receive higher valuations. Each Tepezza lawsuit is evaluated on its own facts and merits. The timeline for full resolution could extend well into 2027 or beyond.

    State-by-State Considerations

    Although the Tepezza lawsuit is consolidated in federal court in Illinois, state laws still affect individual claims. Each state has its own statute of limitations, damage caps, and product liability standards. For example, California and New York have significant plaintiff populations in this MDL. Texas, Florida, and Illinois also have notable case counts.

    Some states impose caps on non-economic damages like pain and suffering. Others require specific expert testimony standards for pharmaceutical claims. These differences can substantially affect claim values. You can review the 50-state tort reform comparison for details on your state. Consulting an attorney licensed in your jurisdiction is essential for understanding how local tort reform laws apply.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Is there a deadline to file a Tepezza lawsuit?

    Yes. Each state imposes its own statute of limitations for product liability claims. Deadlines typically range from two to four years from injury or discovery. Contact a licensed attorney as soon as possible to determine your specific filing deadline before your window closes.

    Can I file a claim if I only have mild hearing loss or tinnitus?

    You might be eligible even with partial hearing loss or tinnitus alone. Both permanent and temporary hearing damage may be grounds for a claim. The severity of your injury will affect the potential value. An experienced attorney can evaluate your medical records and advise you on next steps.

    How long will the Tepezza lawsuit take to resolve?

    Pharmaceutical MDLs typically take several years to reach full resolution. Bellwether trials scheduled for mid-to-late 2026 will help shape the overall timeline. Settlement negotiations are also ongoing. As a result, individual case timelines depend on trial outcomes and the progress of any global settlement agreement.

    Check If You May Qualify

    Mass tort eligibility depends on your specific exposure, injuries, and the state where you live. A licensed mass tort attorney can evaluate your situation at no upfront cost — most work on contingency, meaning you pay nothing unless you recover compensation.

    Official Sources & Resources

    For verified mass tort and MDL information:

    • JPML: jpml.uscourts.gov — official MDL statistics and transfer orders
    • DOJ: justice.gov — settlement announcements and press releases
    • FDA: fda.gov — drug recalls, warning letters, and safety alerts
    • CDC: cdc.gov — health condition data and exposure guidelines
    • EPA: epa.gov — environmental contamination data
    • Cornell LII: law.cornell.edu — plain-English legal definitions

    Content last reviewed May 2026. This is general educational information, not legal advice. If you notice outdated information, please contact us.

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