Do You Qualify for the Tepezza Settlement? What Patients Need to Know

Tepezza (teprotumumab-trbw) was approved by the FDA in January 2020 as the first medication specifically indicated for thyroid eye disease (TED). It quickly became a significant treatment for a condition that had previously been addressed only with surgery or steroids. But beginning shortly after its widespread use, patients started reporting a side effect that Horizon Therapeutics had not disclosed: hearing loss and tinnitus that, in many cases, turned out to be permanent.

By July 2023, the FDA required Horizon to update Tepezza’s prescribing label to include a warning about the risk of severe and permanent hearing loss. By that point, lawsuits had already begun accumulating. Today, 277 Tepezza hearing loss cases are consolidated in the Northern District of Illinois before U.S. District Judge Thomas Durkin in what is formally known as a multidistrict litigation (MDL), not a class action. Each case is evaluated individually.

For patients who received Tepezza infusions and have since experienced hearing changes, the most pressing practical question is whether they still have time to file a claim and whether a settlement is actually coming. Here is what the current evidence shows.

A formal audiological evaluation is one of the most important steps for any Tepezza patient who experienced hearing changes. Documented hearing test results are central evidence in any potential claim.

Tepezza Lawsuit Update: Where Things Stand in 2026

The clearest settlement signal in the Tepezza MDL came in October 2025. On October 1, Chief Magistrate Judge M. David Weisman held an off-the-record discussion with counsel for both parties and subsequently issued a docket entry striking all upcoming deadlines for bellwether trials. The four bellwether trials that had been scheduled for April, June, July, and September 2026 were canceled. No rulings dismissed any underlying claims.

According to multiple legal analysis sources, this type of action in a pharmaceutical MDL typically indicates one of two things: either settlement negotiations have reached a point where both sides believe a global resolution is more likely than trial, or the parties need more time to structure a deal. The absence of any dismissal rulings rules out the possibility that the litigation is collapsing in the defendant’s favor.

The litigation’s history supports the settlement interpretation. Judge Durkin has required quarterly settlement discussions since August 2024 under mandatory mediation orders. Multiple major law firms stopped accepting new Tepezza cases in early 2026, which legal analysts consistently interpret as a signal that intake has closed ahead of a settlement fund allocation.

What has not happened yet: As of April 2026, no global settlement has been publicly announced, no settlement amounts have been confirmed, and no claim deadline has been set for eligible patients. The litigation is in a settlement negotiation window, not a post-settlement claims period.

What Tepezza Is and How It Can Cause Hearing Loss

Tepezza is an IGF-1R inhibitor administered via IV infusion, typically in a series of eight infusions over approximately five months for thyroid eye disease. TED causes inflammation and swelling in the tissues behind the eyes, which can lead to eye protrusion, double vision, and vision impairment. Tepezza was the first FDA-approved medical treatment specifically targeting the underlying cause of TED rather than its symptoms.

The hearing damage mechanism is believed to be ototoxicity: the drug’s IGF-1R inhibition affects inner ear structures, including the cochlea and potentially the auditory nerve. The damage frequently begins in higher frequencies (above 8 kHz) and may not be detected in standard audiometry, which only tests up to 8 kHz. This is why many Tepezza patients did not receive an accurate hearing assessment during treatment.

A 2024 case series following 22 Tepezza-treated patients found that 39% of ears met ototoxicity criteria for hearing loss. An observational study presented at the ENDO 2021 conference reported that 65% of patients described new auditory symptoms after an average of 3.6 infusions. The FDA’s 2023 label update acknowledged these risks and instructed physicians to assess patients’ hearing before, during, and after treatment. Plaintiffs in the MDL argue this warning came years too late for the patients already affected.

Who May Qualify for a Tepezza Lawsuit or Settlement Claim

Because Tepezza lawsuits are structured as individual claims within an MDL (not a class action), eligibility is evaluated case by case. However, the general profile of qualifying plaintiffs based on existing case filings follows a consistent pattern:

• You received Tepezza infusions for thyroid eye disease, typically between 2020 and the present
• You subsequently experienced auditory symptoms, including hearing loss (partial or complete), tinnitus (ringing or buzzing in the ears), muffled hearing, ear fullness, or difficulty hearing in noisy environments
• Your hearing symptoms emerged during or after treatment, rather than being documented prior to your first Tepezza infusion
• Your symptoms are persistent, rather than resolving completely within days of each infusion
• You have not previously settled a Tepezza-related claim

Severity matters significantly for claim valuation. Plaintiffs with documented permanent hearing loss, particularly bilateral loss or loss requiring hearing aids, are generally considered stronger claims than those with tinnitus alone. If you received Tepezza but have not had a formal audiological evaluation since treatment, scheduling one now creates a documented record that is central to any claim.

If you are unsure whether you qualify, the most reliable next step is a free case evaluation from a licensed attorney who handles pharmaceutical MDL claims. An attorney can review your specific treatment history and audiology records and advise on whether your situation meets the threshold for filing.

How a Tepezza MDL Settlement Would Work

The Tepezza cases are consolidated in an MDL, which functions differently from a class action lawsuit. Understanding the distinction matters for anyone considering filing a claim.

MDL vs. Class Action: The Key Difference

In a class action, all plaintiffs are treated as a single group and receive the same settlement amount (minus attorney fees). A class action settlement is opt-in or opt-out and covers everyone who fits the class definition, whether or not they individually retained an attorney.

In an MDL, each plaintiff’s case is separate. Cases are consolidated before a single judge for efficiency in pretrial proceedings (discovery, expert testimony, motions), but each case is ultimately valued individually based on the specifics of that plaintiff’s injuries, treatment history, medical documentation, and damages. Settlement amounts in an MDL vary significantly from case to case.

How Settlement Amounts Are Projected

No confirmed Tepezza settlement amounts exist as of April 2026. Legal analysts and plaintiff attorneys have published projection ranges based on comparable pharmaceutical MDL settlements, with the most frequently cited ranges being:

• Lower tier (tinnitus, mild hearing changes, partial documentation): $50,000 to $150,000
• Mid tier (moderate documented hearing loss, bilateral effects): $150,000 to $500,000
• Higher tier (severe permanent loss, significant life impact, strong medical documentation): $500,000 and above

These are projections, not confirmed figures. Actual settlement amounts will depend on bellwether trial outcomes if any occur, the financial terms Horizon Therapeutics (now owned by Amgen, which reported over $1.9 billion in Tepezza revenue in 2023 alone) negotiates, and individual case characteristics. Attorney fees in pharmaceutical MDL cases typically range from 33% to 40% of any settlement.

The Claim Filing Window

In pharmaceutical MDL settlements, there is typically a claims period during which eligible patients must submit documentation to receive compensation. Missing this window generally means forfeiting any claim, even for patients who clearly suffered qualifying injuries. The deadline is set at the time a settlement is formally announced and administered.

Because no settlement has been formally announced as of April 2026, no official claims window has opened. However, the combination of vacated trial dates and active quarterly mediation suggests a settlement framework could be finalized in the coming months. Patients who wait until a settlement is officially announced to seek legal representation may find that attorney intake has already closed, as occurred with several major law firms in early 2026.

What to Do Right Now if You Took Tepezza

Whether or not a formal settlement announcement is imminent, the following steps protect your ability to file a claim and strengthen any potential case:

• Get a formal audiological evaluation now. A documented baseline from a licensed audiologist, with records of hearing thresholds across frequencies, is essential evidence in any pharmaceutical hearing loss claim. If your treating physician did not conduct hearing assessments before, during, or after your Tepezza treatment, this evaluation creates the first documented record of your current hearing status.
• Request your complete Tepezza treatment records. This includes infusion dates, dosage records, and any notes from your treating physician regarding auditory symptoms. These records are the foundation of a claim.
• Document symptoms you experienced during and after treatment. Written notes with dates, a symptom diary, or even text messages to family members describing hearing changes can serve as contemporaneous evidence.
• Consult a licensed attorney before the settlement is announced. Most pharmaceutical MDL attorneys work on contingency (no upfront fees) and can tell you quickly whether your situation meets the threshold for a claim. Waiting until a formal settlement announcement risks missing intake windows at the firms that handle these cases.
• Check whether other active settlements may apply to you. Tepezza is not the only pharmaceutical litigation approaching resolution. If you or a family member have taken other medications with reported side effects, see which class action settlements are currently open for claims in April 2026.

For Patients Living With Tepezza-Related Hearing Loss

Regardless of the litigation outcome, patients who experienced hearing loss or tinnitus after Tepezza infusions are living with a real and permanent condition that affects daily life. Hearing aids, cochlear implants (for severe loss), tinnitus management programs, and auditory rehabilitation are all options worth discussing with an audiologist or ENT specialist.

If your hearing loss requires assistive devices, it is worth understanding your coverage options now. Many patients are not aware that Medicare Advantage plans cover a portion of hearing aid costs, and that OTC hearing aids are available without a prescription for mild to moderate loss at a fraction of traditional clinic pricing. Our guide to Medicare Advantage vs. OTC hearing aids covers what is available and what current coverage looks like, and our full comparison of top-rated hearing aid companies covers verified pricing, trial periods, and honest brand assessments.

What This Means for You

The Tepezza MDL is in a critical phase. Bellwether trial deadlines have been vacated. Quarterly mediation is ongoing. Multiple major plaintiff law firms have closed their intake windows. These are the conditions that precede a global settlement announcement in pharmaceutical mass tort litigation, but no settlement has been confirmed yet.

If you received Tepezza infusions and experienced hearing loss or tinnitus, the window for filing a claim is narrowing. The two most time-sensitive actions are getting a formal audiological evaluation and consulting a licensed attorney who handles pharmaceutical MDL cases. Both can be done before any official settlement announcement and both protect your position if and when a settlement framework is established.

For patients already managing hearing loss, see our full comparison of top-rated hearing aid companies for options across all budget levels while you navigate the legal process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Has a Tepezza settlement been announced?
No. As of April 2026, no global settlement has been officially announced in the Tepezza hearing loss MDL (MDL No. 3026). However, strong settlement signals are present: the federal judge struck all bellwether trial deadlines in October 2025 following off-the-record discussions between both parties’ counsel, and court-ordered quarterly mediation sessions have been ongoing since August 2024. Legal analysts widely interpret these signals as indicating active settlement negotiations.

Who qualifies for a Tepezza lawsuit?
Patients who received Tepezza infusions for thyroid eye disease and subsequently experienced hearing loss, tinnitus, muffled hearing, ear fullness, or other auditory changes may qualify. Because these are individual cases within an MDL (not a class action), eligibility is assessed case by case. Severity of documented hearing loss, whether effects are bilateral, and the quality of medical documentation all affect case strength. A free consultation with a licensed pharmaceutical MDL attorney is the most reliable way to assess whether your situation qualifies.

How much could a Tepezza settlement pay?
No confirmed settlement amounts exist as of April 2026. Legal analysts projecting from comparable pharmaceutical MDL settlements estimate tiers ranging from $50,000 to $150,000 for mild documented cases, $150,000 to $500,000 for moderate bilateral hearing loss, and potentially $500,000 or more for severe permanent loss with strong medical documentation. These are projections only. Actual amounts will depend on trial outcomes if any occur, the financial terms Horizon Therapeutics (now owned by Amgen) negotiates, and individual case characteristics.

Is the Tepezza lawsuit a class action?
No. The Tepezza cases are consolidated in a multidistrict litigation (MDL), not a class action. This means each plaintiff’s case is valued individually based on their specific injuries, treatment history, and documented damages. There is no opt-in or opt-out mechanism. Each affected patient must separately retain an attorney and file an individual claim to participate in any settlement.

What should I do if I took Tepezza and have hearing loss?
The most time-sensitive steps are: get a formal audiological evaluation to document your current hearing status, request your complete Tepezza treatment records, and consult a licensed attorney who handles pharmaceutical MDL cases before the settlement intake window closes. Most pharmaceutical MDL attorneys work on contingency with no upfront fees. Multiple major law firms stopped accepting new Tepezza cases in early 2026, making early action important.