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Missouri Tepezza Hearing Loss Lawsuit

Tepezza (teprotumumab-trbw) is a prescription drug used to treat thyroid eye disease (TED). If left untreated, TED can cause permanent, irreversible damage to a person’s vision. The development and approval of Tepezza signaled a sense of hope to those living with this progressive disease.

Experts caution that some of that hope may have been misplaced, though. Studies now show that Tepezza can cause permanent hearing problems in patients, including hearing loss or tinnitus. Horizon Therapeutics (formerly known as Horizon Pharmaceuticals) allegedly failed to properly warn patients of the severity of potential hearing-related side effects associated with the correct use of their drug.

If you or a loved one were prescribed Tepezza for thyroid eye disease and developed permanent hearing loss as a result, you may be entitled to financial compensation. As your legal representation, Thomas Law Offices will help build the strongest possible Tepezza hearing loss lawsuit on your behalf. We’ll fight for the compensation you are rightfully and lawfully owed.

To learn more about your legal rights and the current status of Tepezza lawsuits in the state of Missouri, please contact us for a free case review today.

Tepezza Is the Only FDA-Approved Drug Used To Treat Thyroid Eye Disease

Tepezza received FDA approval to treat thyroid eye disease in adults on Jan. 21, 2020. TED is a rare auto-immune disease that has a debilitating effect on patients. Symptoms of TED include double vision, eye pain, sensitivity to light, trouble closing one or both eyes, and vision loss.

For the average person, progressively worsening symptoms associated with TED can result in an inability to perform everyday tasks, like maintaining gainful employment, driving, and living independently.

As the first drug to be approved for thyroid eye disease treatment, Tepezza infusions appeared to be the best possible option for those suffering from TED or Graves’ eye disease. However, the resulting hearing loss in patients soon revealed that this medication was not necessarily all that it promised to be.

How Is Tepezza Administered?

Tepezza is a medication that is administered intravenously. Patients with TED who have been prescribed Tepezza as part of their treatment plan undergo a total of eight infusions, receiving one infusion every three weeks. The total treatment time for this medication is approximately five months.

What Are the Side Effects of Using Tepezza?

Official side effects for Tepezza are listed as:

  • Muscle cramps
  • Muscle spasms
  • Hair loss
  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea
  • Fatigue
  • Headache
  • Dry skin
  • Menstruation changes
  • High blood sugar
  • Loss or change of taste
  • Hearing problems

The final side effect (hearing problems) is the focal point of the Tepezza hearing loss lawsuits.

Does Tepezza Cause Permanent Hearing Loss?

Horizon Therapeutics originally claimed that hearing-related problems were present in only 10% of patients. However, a more recent study published in the Journal of the Endocrine Society indicates that hearing problems could be a side effect for as many as 65% of patients taking Tepezza.

Hearing problems associated with regular usage of Tepezza include ringing in the ears (tinnitus), worsening sensorineural hearing loss, temporary hearing loss, and permanent hearing loss.

Tepezza Pre-Approval Clinical Trials

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not test drugs for safety and efficacy. Instead, this agency relies on information and data from tests and clinical trials conducted by manufacturers who are seeking approval. Although this data is rigorously reviewed by pharmacologists, statisticians, chemists, and CDER (Center for Drug Evaluation and Research) physicians, these individuals can only base their decisions on the provided information.

Horizon Therapeutics claimed that the majority of adverse events documented in its two pre-approval trials for Tepezza were categorized as either mild or moderate. The company also stated that more people saw an improvement in diplopia (double vision) when taking Tepezza compared to the placebo. Hearing loss was recognized as one of the most common adverse reactions during the two clinical trials, but the severity was significantly downplayed and glossed over.

Tepezza lawsuits claim that, despite the knowledge of potentially permanent hearing loss or tinnitus, Horizon Therapeutics failed to adequately warn providers and patients of the substantial risk associated with its use.

Filing Tepezza lawsuits is the legal process afforded to victims who have suffered permanent hearing loss or who are dealing with a range of adverse auditory effects, including buzzing or ringing in the ears.

To discuss your right to recover compensation with the Tepezza lawyers at Thomas Law Offices, please contact Thomas Law Offices to schedule a free consultation as soon as possible. We are a national law firm that has significant resources and experience handling dangerous drug lawsuits, but we remain grounded where we know it matters most—with our clients, wherever they are.

Studies Show Potentially Permanent Hearing Damage in Tepezza Users

The development of hearing dysfunction and loss after undergoing at least four infusions of Tepezza has been documented in a number of studies, including one entitled “Hearing Dysfunction After Treatment With Teprotumumab for Thyroid Eye Disease.” In this study, researchers determined that the development of a hearing disorder is not uncommon for patients undergoing treatment with Tepezza. They concluded that until risk factors for hearing damage and loss with this drug are better understood, all patients receiving Tepezza infusions should receive baseline audiometry testing prior to beginning treatment. These tests should be repeated at the first sign of otologic (auditory) symptoms.

If you suffered hearing loss, damage to your middle ear, or developed other hearing-related side effects while receiving Tepezza infusions, you may be entitled to seek financial compensation by filing a Tepezza lawsuit.

Horizon Therapeutics Failed To Warn Patients of Side Effects

Horizon Therapeutics allegedly misrepresented known side effects and clinical findings when it was seeking approval for Tepezza from the FDA. The risk for sensorineural hearing loss and other hearing-related side effects was minimized.

The drug maker also failed to warn doctors of the severity of hearing-related side effects associated with Tepezza. Without this vital piece of knowledge, doctors had no way of knowing that many of their TED patients would go on to develop hearing loss or tinnitus. While some of these auditory side effects were temporary and eventually went away when treatment was over or discontinued, many patients suffered life-long, permanent impairments.

If you are one of the patients who suffered permanent hearing loss, please contact our products liability law firm as soon as possible. We’ll guide you through the process of filing a Tepezza lawsuit and will be your steadfast guides as your case is heard in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

As a Missouri resident, you do not have to leave the state to successfully handle your Tepezza lawsuit. Thomas Law Offices will ensure that your hearing loss lawsuit is handled with the utmost care and dedication. If you suffered hearing loss, we want to help you file a Tepezza lawsuit that accurately represents the hearing-related harm and damages you’ve suffered.

Current Updates on Tepezza Hearing Loss Lawsuits

During your free legal consultation with an attorney from Thomas Law Offices, you’ll have the opportunity to ask any and all questions you have related to Tepezza hearing loss, your specific Tepezza lawsuit, and the status of the current class action lawsuit.

We have also provided information regarding the timeline and updates regarding Tepezza approval, relevant safety concerns, and resulting legal action.

  • Jan. 2020 – Tepezza received FDA approval as the first and only drug to treat thyroid eye disease. Reports of hearing damage, hearing loss, and ringing in the ears were soon documented among patients across the United States.
  • May 2021 – The study documenting a 65% rate of hearing damage among Tepezza patients was published in the Journal of the Endocrine Society.
  • Aug. 2022 – The first Tepezza hearing loss lawsuit was filed by a plaintiff who claimed he suffered permanent hearing loss after receiving Tepezza infusions from June to Sept. 2022.
  • Oct. 2022 – Horizon Therapeutics USA Inc. filed a motion to dismiss the first Tepezza hearing loss case, claiming it lacked sufficient evidence to prove that they failed to warn Tepezza users of the risk of hearing loss or tinnitus.
  • Jan. 2023 – At least 10 more people have decided to file a Tepezza lawsuit.

Has Tepezza Been Recalled?

At last update, Tepezza is still being marketed to treat thyroid eye disease (TED) and Graves’ eye disease, and Horizon Therapeutics has not issued a recall. No new warning labels have been added to the product, even as the drug manufacturer faces legal action for its failure to disclose the risk of hearing loss.

Who Is Eligible To File a Tepezza Lawsuit?

Eligibility for filing a Tepezza hearing loss lawsuit is based on two primary factors. To be able to file a Tepezza lawsuit, you must have:

  • Received one or more Tepezza infusions, and
  • Have suffered permanent hearing loss, hearing problems, or tinnitus.

The best way to determine whether you qualify to pursue a Tepezza lawsuit against Horizon Therapeutics (formerly Horizon Pharmaceuticals) is to first meet with a lawyer from Thomas Law Offices for a free consultation.

Time Limits on Taking Legal Action for Tepezza-Related Hearing Loss

Missouri state law imposes a statute of limitations of 15 years on injury claims arising from a defective product. This means that an individual who has been injured or harmed by a defectively designed, manufactured, or advertised product has 15 years from the date of purchase to take action.

An important exception affects the statute of limitations in cases like Tepezza hearing loss lawsuits—the time limit is extended when a product’s manufacturer or distributor knowingly concealed an unsafe condition or defect.

The Role of a Tepezza Hearing Loss Lawyer

Whether you file as an individual or choose to join a mass tort action in the form of a class action suit, your Tepezza lawsuit will be heard in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. You will want a legal team on your side who understands the nuances and complexities of handling this type of serious legal claim.

At Thomas Law Offices, you can expect to build a strong attorney-client relationship with your legal representation. You can also expect that your attorney will:

  • Collect and analyze relevant evidence
  • Secure testimony from expert witnesses
  • Build the strongest possible case on your behalf
  • Ensure all documentation is filled out correctly and submitted in a timely manner

The sooner you speak with someone on our legal team, the closer you’ll be to moving forward with your Tepezza lawsuit.

Evidence Needed To File a Tepezza Lawsuit

Your attorney will work closely with you to gather as much relevant evidence as possible. Evidence that can help substantiate your Tepezza lawsuit includes:

  • Medical records showing a diagnosis of thyroid eye disease (TED), how many Tepezza infusions you received, a hearing loss diagnosis, and appointments with an ear, nose, and throat doctor (ENT).
  • Pay stubs and banking statements that illustrate your lost wages.
  • Medical bills related to your hearing loss, such as prescriptions for medical devices like hearing aids.
  • Expert testimony from a medical professional who is willing to review your case and render their expert opinion.

The exact evidence needed for your case will depend largely on the unique factors of your medical condition and resulting damages.

Damages Available for Victims of Tepezza Hearing Loss

Litigation for Tepezza-related hearing loss is still in its early days, which means that as of right now, there is no such thing as an average Tepezza settlement amount. Thomas Law Offices cannot guarantee that you will receive a specific settlement award if we win your case, but we can highlight the types of compensation to which you may be entitled.

A Tepezza settlement will likely involve compensation for two specific types of damages: economic and non-economic damages.

Economic damages encompass the financial losses you’ve suffered as a result of taking Tepezza, such as medical bills, lost wages, and a reduced earning capacity.

Non-economic damages refer to all the non-financial ways your life has been impacted, including your hearing loss, loss of enjoyment in life, and mental anguish.

Contact Thomas Law Offices About Your Tepezza Hearing Loss Lawsuit

If you developed partial or full hearing loss, tinnitus, ringing or buzzing in the ears, or any auditory/hearing problems after receiving Tepezza infusions for thyroid eye disease, you may be owed compensation.

At Thomas Law Offices, we are proud advocates for Missouri residents who have been injured through no fault of their own. We fight for the consumer when big companies refuse to take responsibility for the harm they’ve caused.

Every attorney at our law office has the dedication, experience, knowledge, and tenacity needed to handle complex legal claims, and we are actively seeking individuals who have been wrongfully harmed by the prescription drug Tepezza.

For an opportunity to speak with a Tepezza hearing loss lawyer at no cost to you, contact our Columbia, MO office by phone or by filling out our convenient online form. In addition to free consultations to injury victims and their families, we are also able to take many cases on a contingency fee basis—so you don’t owe us anything unless we win your case.

Free Case Evaluation

At Thomas Law Offices, our personal injury attorneys recognize that our potential clients are likely going through some of the most difficult times of their lives. We don't want you to have to worry about paying out of pocket for legal advice when you're just starting to learn your legal rights and options. That's why we provide free case evaluations. We'll offer our expert advice about your potential case and walk you through how we can help you.

Call us or fill out the form below to tell us about your potential case and a personal injury lawyer will get back to you as quickly as possible.

Meet Our Founder

Tad Thomas - Trial Lawyer

Tad Thomas

Managing Partner

Tad Thomas has dedicated his practice to representing plaintiffs in various types of civil litigation, including personal injury, business litigation, class actions, and multi-district litigation.

After graduating with his law degree in 2000 from Salmon P. Chase College of Law at Northern Kentucky University, Mr. Thomas immediately opened his own private practice and began representing injury victims.

In 2011, Thomas Law Offices was established in Louisville, Kentucky. Over the past decade, Mr. Thomas has expanded his firm and now has offices in three additional locations: Cincinnati, Ohio, Columbia, Missouri, and Chicago, Illinois. He is also a frequent lecturer on topics like trial skills and ethics and technology.

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