You may be eligible for compensation if you took Tepezza and later suffered hearing loss. Recent studies show that more than 80% of persons who use this drug experience substantial side effects relating to hearing.
The manufacturer (Horizon Therapeutics) knew of this risk but warned only 10% of patients. Many people began suing Horizon Therapeutics when research findings were made public. Several lawsuits are still ongoing.
If you contemplate filing a Tepezza hearing loss lawsuit, you must demonstrate the manufacturer’s negligence, even if your case looks simple.
It is nearly impossible to do this without an attorney. That explains why most Tepezza complainants work with knowledgeable legal counsel.
Read this post to the end to understand how an attorney can help with your case.
What Is Tepezza?
Tepezza is the only thyroid eye disease (TED) treatment approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States.
TED is an autoimmune condition that affects tear glands, ocular muscles, and eyelids. A patient’s eyes and eyelids become red and swollen, causing pain.
When Tepezza received FDA approval in 2020, the drug label indicated several side effects of the prescription, including hearing issues. However, the manufacturer stated that this side effect was unlikely to occur.
Contrary to this, the side effect was reported in about ten percent of subjects during clinical trials. Some of the hearing problems raised by Horizon and the FDA include the following:
- Deafness
- Hypoacusis (issues with sound clarity)
- Hyperacusis (sensitive to loud sounds)
- Eustachian tube dysfunction (tubes connecting the ear to the upper throat blocked)
- Autophony (your voice sounding too loud in your ears)
Individuals began to experience adverse effects immediately after the drug entered the market. For some, the hearing problem disappeared once they stopped using the medication. Others lost their sense of hearing permanently.
Side effects begin to manifest after only four drug infusions. Some people’s hearing improved after using the drug for a week or a few months. But others saw no improvements and developed tinnitus or irreversible hearing loss.
Daniel Weibel was the first to file a Tepezza hearing loss lawsuit against Horizon in August 2022. Since then, many more patients have decided to seek compensation for their damages.
Tepezza Hearing Loss Studies
Multiple studies found that Tepezza can potentially cause hearing loss in at least ten percent of patients.
Study#1: hearing dysfunction after treatment with teprotumumab for thyroid eye disease
This research, published in the American Journal of Ophthalmology in February 2022, monitored 27 subjects who used Tepezza for their thyroid eye disease. An alarming 81.5 percent suffered hearing problems after only four drug infusions.
Doctors checked in with the patients ten months after discontinuing Tepezza intake. Some patients reported significant improvements. But three still had issues with their hearing.
Study#2: hearing loss and teprotumumab
According to a study published in the Journal of the Endocrine Society, 13 out of 28 patients who used Tepezza showed signs of hearing loss. That translates to 46 percent.
Symptoms started to appear after three to four medication infusions. While some patients significantly improved after stopping the medicine, others endured adverse effects.
The researchers in this study acknowledge that Tepezza is a new and promising drug, but there is a need for more research to understand its adverse effects fully.
Horizon Pharmaceuticals, the manufacturer, failed to warn the public of the increased risk of experiencing hearing loss and tinnitus after taking the medication, even after the results of the studies mentioned above were made public.
Daniel Weibel, the first individual to initiate a Tepezza hearing loss lawsuit, asserted that he would never have used the drug if he had known of the high incidence of hearing loss issues.
Weibel and other plaintiffs contend that the company knew or ought to have known about the increased risk of experiencing side effects, including hearing loss.
Despite numerous studies demonstrating the significant prevalence of hearing loss and tinnitus, Horizon failed to warn medical professionals or the public.
Some individuals experience permanent hearing loss because of this. Plaintiffs accuse the company of aggressively promoting the medication without being explicit about the risk of hearing loss.
Can I File a Tepezza Hearing Loss Lawsuit?
You might be entitled to file a Tepezza hearing loss lawsuit against Horizon Pharmaceuticals if you developed permanent hearing loss after using Tepezza.
You should consult an experienced lawyer to determine your chances of winning your lawsuit against the pharmaceutical company.
A reputable product liability attorney does not charge clients for their initial consultation. You can consult a skilled lawyer without hiring them to determine whether you can get compensation for your damages.
During the initial consultation, the lawyer will review the evidence, listen to your claim, compare it to existing cases, and help you decide whether to proceed with the lawsuit.
Before speaking with a lawyer, you may gather information like:
- How long you took Tepezza
- When you first noticed adverse effects.
- Reports and prescriptions from doctors.
- Medical expenses for treating hearing loss.
- Medical reports concerning your hearing loss issues.
The more details and supporting documentation you can supply, the better it will be to understand your case.
Worry not if you lack all the necessary paperwork. You can still speak with a lawyer to get insightful counsel on the likelihood of a lawsuit.
Your lawyer can guide you on proceeding with the case if you qualify to file a Tepezza hearing loss lawsuit.
Two Possible Outcomes of Lawsuits Against Horizon Pharmaceuticals
You can expect two possible outcomes if you and your lawyer build a strong case and demonstrate Horizon Pharmaceutical’s negligence. These are:
Settlement
When Horizon realizes your case’s strength, they might choose a settlement over a trial. You will negotiate with the manufacturer’s lawyers to get a reasonable settlement.
Trial
If Horizon declines to settle, the case will proceed to trial. The judge and jury will determine who is on the right and, if necessary, the suitable monetary reward.
You will need counsel in both situations. Taking on a powerful pharmaceutical company may be challenging, infuriating, and frequently fruitless without legal representation.
Damages You Can Collect in a Tepezza Hearing Loss Lawsuit
You may be entitled to compensation for various damages if you demonstrate that Horizon Pharmaceuticals was aware or ought to have known of the elevated likelihood of developing hearing loss after taking Tepezza.
Economic damages
These are financial losses you suffer due to your Tepezza-related hearing loss. They include:
- Medical costs
- Lost wages
- Lost capacity to earn
- At-home assistance
Horizon Pharmaceuticals should cover any past, present, and future economic damages from your hearing loss issue if you provide undeniable evidence to support your claim.
You must provide relevant evidence to ensure you receive adequate compensation.
Non-economic damages
Non-economic damages refer to the quality of life you lose after developing a hearing problem. For instance, you might have to give up some hobbies
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Emotional distress
Your lawyer can assist you in gathering proof or hiring professional witnesses to support your claim for non-economic losses. They can increase your settlement amount by over 150 percent.
Punitive damages
Sometimes the jury can grant punitive damages when the case goes to trial. These damages are meant to compensate for the defendant’s willful negligence.
You can be entitled to additional compensation if the jury determines that Horizon committed gross negligence by failing to warn people about severe adverse effects.
How a Tepezza Hearing Loss Attorney Can Help
You might file a Tepezza hearing loss lawsuit against the pharmaceutical company if you developed permanent hearing loss and tinnitus after using Tepezza.
When confronting a large company, especially in the healthcare sector, you must be ready to put up a tough fight. You can only win with the best legal representation.
When you hire a Tepezza hearing loss lawyer, you are delegating your case to a professional who can fight for your rights and compensation. Here are some of the reasons a lawyer can help.
Case evaluation
An experienced lawyer who has handled similar cases before can evaluate your case and advise you on the best course of action.
A reputable lawyer will provide the information below for free during the initial consultation:
- Whether you are eligible to bring a Tepezza hearing loss lawsuit
- The kind of evidence you need to present a compelling case
- The time you have to file a lawsuit
- Challenges you might encounter
Your lawyer can also assist you in calculating how much you can recover from Horizon Pharmaceuticals in court. It is critical not to overlook any damages. If not, you can be given an unfair reward.
Filing the documents
Filing a lawsuit involves more than a single step. Any mistake you make during the process can cause a delay in your case for weeks or even months. A lawyer can file your Tepezza hearing loss lawsuit through the proper legal process.
Avoid errors when confronting pharmaceutical firms. These companies hire a group of attorneys whose primary goal is to reduce the company’s costs.
These lawyers can take advantage of any mistake you make to prevent you from pursuing damages.
Collecting evidence
Lawsuits heavily rely on evidence. You may need to present such documents as photo and video evidence, medical reports from doctors, and W-2 forms. Your family and friends may also need to testify.
Sometimes, you may need to retain an expert witness to testify about your ailment and its effects.
An experienced lawyer can guide you on how, when, and where to gather relevant evidence for your Tepezza hearing loss lawsuit.
Your lawyer can also help you collect the evidence and identify relevant expert witnesses to hire.
Negotiations
Negotiations are usually the most challenging aspect of product liability lawsuits. The defendant might wish to settle if they notice you have a compelling case. They will, however, make every effort to reduce the settlement amount.
Prepare a suitable counteroffer in response to the company’s offer, supported by solid facts. Your lawyer can undertake seamless negotiations to increase the offered amount to a reasonable level.
Without legal counsel, confronting a multinational pharmaceutical company frequently leads to unsuccessful attempts to obtain fair compensation.
Trial
A lawyer can help you prepare compelling arguments and present them to the court if the case goes to trial.
Choose legal firms with trial experience when hiring an attorney.
Most attorneys who handle product liability and personal injury cases tend to focus on settlements. Although it is unlikely, your Tepezza hearing loss lawsuit could go to trial.
Filing a Tepezza Hearing Loss Lawsuit
Consult a product liability attorney if you or your loved one suffered permanent hearing loss or tinnitus after using Tepezza.
As a consumer, you deserve to be informed of the full risks and the opportunity to avoid the effects through proper testing.
Legal Giant partners with the best lawyers in the United States to help victims of dangerous products.
Our partner attorneys will review your case to determine whether you are eligible for a Tepezza hearing loss lawsuit, gather the evidence, and represent you before the court to get you the compensation you deserve.
Contact us for a free case evaluation today.
