Gotham Steel Class Action Lawsuit: $12 Settlement, Claims Closed, Hearing November 2
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The Gotham Steel class action lawsuit in the news is Fouse v. E. Mishan & Sons, a California state case over “non-toxic” marketing. It settled for $6 per product, up to $12 per household — but only for Gotham Steel, Granite Stone and Bell & Howell cookware bought in California or Colorado. The claim deadline was September 25, 2026 and has passed. The court decides on final approval at a hearing on November 2, 2026. Nothing has been paid yet.
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Reviewed by Leonard Goldberg, Editor · Last updated
What the Lawsuit Says
E. Mishan & Sons, Inc. sells Gotham Steel, Granite Stone and Bell & Howell cookware. The lawsuit, filed September 8, 2025, alleges the company marketed products with stainless steel components as “Non-toxic,” “Safe,” “Toxin Free” and “Free from PFOA, PFOS, PTFE, BPA, lead, and cadmium” despite the undisclosed presence of chromium, iron, nickel, lead, cadmium, PFOA, PFAS, PTFE or PFOS.
The plaintiffs plead state false advertising, consumer protection, warranty and unjust enrichment claims. The lawsuit does not allege that the products made anyone sick — it is about paying for marketing claims, not about injury. The company denies the allegations, and the court never ruled for either side.
Case Details
Jeffrey Fouse and Brianna Miller v. E. Mishan & Sons, Inc., Case No. CVRI2505343, Superior Court of California, County of Riverside. This is a state court, not a federal one. Class counsel is Clarkson Law Firm, P.C. The court-appointed administrator is Fidexis Group, which runs the official settlement website. The court file can be searched under the case number on the Riverside court's public portal.
An earlier federal case, Mack v. E. Mishan & Sons, Inc., No. 1:19-cv-08233 in the Southern District of New York, alleged that Gotham Steel pans were not really non-stick. The plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed it with prejudice on February 3, 2020. It paid consumers nothing.
Status: Settled, Claims Closed, Final Approval Pending
The settlement is not final yet. The Final Approval Hearing is set for 8:30 a.m. on November 2, 2026, in Department 1 of the Riverside County Superior Court, and the notice warns it can move without further notice. We covered the claim window in our news story on the $6-per-pan Gotham Steel settlement.
Who Was in the Settlement Class
You were in the class if you bought one or more Gotham Steel, Granite Stone or Bell & Howell cookware products with stainless steel components, in California or Colorado, between September 8, 2021 and July 6, 2026, and not for resale. Buyers in other states are not covered.
Being in the class is not enough to get paid. Payments go only to people who filed a valid claim by September 25, 2026. If you are in the class and did nothing, you get no cash and you give up the right to sue over the same claims.
How Much It Pays and When
If the court approves them, attorneys' fees, costs and service awards of up to $2,500 for each class representative are paid by the defendant and do not reduce the $6 payments. Money goes out only after final approval and after any appeals are resolved. As of October 2026, no payment date has been announced. To estimate other claims, try our settlement payout calculator.
Gotham Steel Lawsuit Timeline
- 1
September 2019 — Federal Non-Stick Suit
Mack v. E. Mishan & Sons (1:19-cv-08233) is filed in the Southern District of New York, alleging Gotham Steel pans were falsely advertised as non-stick.
- 2
February 3, 2020 — Mack Case Dismissed
The plaintiffs voluntarily dismiss the New York case with prejudice. No class settlement, no payments.
- 3
September 8, 2025 — Fouse Case Filed
A new class action in Riverside County Superior Court challenges the company's “non-toxic” and “PFOA free” marketing.
- 4
May 28, 2026 — Settlement Filed
The settlement is filed with an unopposed motion for preliminary approval: $6 per product, up to $12 per household, plus a label change.
- 5
September 25, 2026 — Claim Deadline Passes
Last day to file a claim, opt out or object. The official site now says the claim deadline has passed.
- 6
November 2, 2026 — Final Approval Hearing
The Riverside court decides whether to approve the settlement. Payments follow only after approval and any appeals.
Court Document
Read the filing yourself. We host a copy of the public court record, free to read and share.
Case: Mack v. E. Mishan & Sons, Inc., No. 1:19-cv-08233 (S.D.N.Y.)
Full docket on CourtListenerAll court documents in our libraryA complaint states one side's allegations; only the court's orders decide anything. Copies of federal court records (PACER) via CourtListener, Free Law Project. Not legal advice.
Three Things to Watch For
A closed claim window and a small, well-publicized payment attract a predictable set of tricks:
“Late Gotham Steel claims still accepted”
The official site says the claim deadline has passed and lists no late-claim process. A page still collecting names, addresses or card numbers for this settlement after September 25, 2026 is not the administrator.
Fees to “release” your $12
Fees are paid by the defendant, never by class members. The real administrator is Fidexis Group, Albany, NY, phone 1 (888) 915-6921. Do not call the court — the notice asks people not to.
“Gotham Steel PFAS injury” sign-up ads
This settlement does not allege that anyone was injured. Ads promising injury compensation are lawyer marketing, not part of this case. Read any retainer before signing it.
Gotham Steel Class Action Lawsuit — Questions People Ask
Is there a Gotham Steel class action lawsuit settlement?
Yes. Fouse v. E. Mishan & Sons, Inc., Case No. CVRI2505343 in Riverside County Superior Court, settled for $6 per product, up to $12 per household. It covers Gotham Steel, Granite Stone and Bell & Howell cookware bought in California or Colorado. Final approval is pending.
Can I still file a Gotham Steel claim?
No. The deadline was September 25, 2026, and the official settlement website says it has passed. The same date was the last day to opt out or object.
When will Gotham Steel settlement payments go out?
Not before the court grants final approval at the hearing on November 2, 2026, and not until any appeals are resolved. As of October 2026 there is no payment date. Only people who filed a valid claim on time will be paid.
I bought Gotham Steel pans outside California or Colorado. Am I covered?
No. The class is limited to purchases in California or Colorado between September 8, 2021 and July 6, 2026, not for resale.
Did I need a receipt?
The claim was made under penalty of perjury. The form asked which products you bought, how many and the approximate purchase dates. The administrator could ask for more information to validate a claim.
Does the lawsuit say Gotham Steel pans are dangerous?
It alleges misleading marketing, such as “Non-toxic” and “PFOA Free”, despite undisclosed metals and PFAS-type chemicals. It expressly does not allege that the products caused physical or personal injury. The company denies the allegations, and no court has found it did anything wrong.
Can I put my Gotham Steel pan in the oven?
“Oven safe up to 500° F” is one of the marketing claims the Fouse lawsuit lists as challenged, but the court never ruled on it. This page cannot tell you how to use your pan. Follow the instructions for your specific product, or ask Gotham Steel customer support.
Why does everything stick to my Gotham Steel pan?
That was the complaint in Mack v. E. Mishan & Sons (S.D.N.Y. 1:19-cv-08233), which alleged the pans were falsely sold as non-stick. It was voluntarily dismissed with prejudice on February 3, 2020, with no payout. The current settlement does not cover sticking or replacements. Warranty claims go to Gotham Steel customer support, not to the settlement administrator.
Separate from this case: were you injured in the last 2 years?
Class-action payouts are fixed amounts through an administrator. A personal injury claim is a different case — and often worth far more. Free estimate, no obligation.