The HexClad lawsuit was a California class action claiming the cookware brand falsely marketed its hybrid pans as “non-toxic” and free of PFAS chemicals while they contained PTFE, a nonstick coating in the PFAS family. HexClad denied wrongdoing but agreed to a $2.5 million settlement. According to settlement trackers, the court granted final approval in March 2026 and payments to approved claimants began in May 2026. The claim deadline passed on November 14, 2025, so new claims are no longer accepted. Here is what the lawsuit alleged, who qualified, and what the settlement changed.
HexClad lawsuit at a glance
| Detail | What we know |
|---|---|
| Case | Cliburn et al. v. One Source to Market, LLC d/b/a HexClad Cookware |
| Court | Los Angeles County Superior Court, Case No. 23STCV28390 |
| Filed | November 17, 2023 |
| Claims | False advertising of cookware as non-toxic, PFAS-free and PFOA-free |
| Settlement | $2.5 million; HexClad did not admit wrongdoing |
| Who qualified | Buyers of eligible HexClad hybrid cookware from February 1, 2022, to March 31, 2024 |
| Claim deadline | November 14, 2025 (closed) |
| Status | Final approval reported March 9, 2026; payments reported from May 21, 2026 |
What is HexClad?
HexClad is a Los Angeles cookware company founded in 2016 by Daniel Winer and Cole Mecray. It is best known for “hybrid” pans that combine stainless steel with a laser-etched hexagon pattern and a nonstick coating. Chef Gordon Ramsay became a partner in the company in 2021 and appears in its advertising. The legal entity behind the brand is One Source to Market, LLC.
What is the HexClad lawsuit about?
In short, the lawsuit was about advertising words, not about anyone getting sick. The plaintiffs said HexClad called its hybrid cookware “non-toxic,” “PFAS free” and “PFOA free” even though the nonstick coating contained polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).
Why PTFE matters
PTFE is the polymer behind Teflon-style nonstick coatings. PFAS, often called “forever chemicals,” are a large group of man-made chemicals that break down very slowly. The lawsuit argued that PTFE belongs to the PFAS family, so marketing the pans as PFAS-free was misleading. PFOA is a specific PFAS that was once used to make PTFE; the lawsuit said the “PFOA free” claim was still misleading because the coating contained other PFAS.
The case did not claim that cooking with HexClad pans caused injuries, and the court did not find the products unsafe. It focused on whether the marketing claims were accurate.
What did HexClad say?
HexClad did not admit any wrongdoing as part of the settlement, and we found no detailed public statement from the company about the allegations. Settling allowed both sides to avoid the cost and risk of a trial.
Was the HexClad lawsuit a class action?
Yes. The case was filed as a class action and resolved through a class settlement, which covered consumers who bought eligible HexClad hybrid cookware between February 1, 2022, and March 31, 2024. According to ClassAction.org, the settlement listed about 20 specific pans and pots, from 7-inch to 14-inch pans, along with bundled sets.
Lawsuit timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| November 17, 2023 | Class action filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court |
| April 22, 2025 | Court grants preliminary approval of the $2.5 million settlement |
| August 5, 2025 | Deadline to opt out or object |
| November 14, 2025 | Deadline to submit a claim |
| February 2026 | Final approval hearing, after being rescheduled from September 2025 |
| March 9, 2026 | Final approval granted, according to settlement trackers |
| May 21, 2026 | Payments to approved claimants begin, according to settlement trackers |
HexClad settlement details
The settlement created a $2.5 million fund. Before payments to buyers, it covered attorneys’ fees, administration costs, litigation expenses and small awards to the named plaintiffs, leaving roughly $1.25 million for class members, according to reports on the final approval.
- How payments work: Approved claimants share the remaining fund pro rata, based on what they bought. No one can receive more than they paid.
- Proof of purchase: Not required for claims covering one or two products; required for three or more.
- Expected amounts: Top Class Actions reported roughly 209,700 valid claims and early estimates of about $6 per claim, well below the first projections. Actual amounts depend on each claim.
Changes to HexClad’s marketing
Under the settlement, HexClad agreed to stop advertising products as “non-toxic,” “PFOA free” or “PFAS free” if they contain PTFE or any other PFAS chemical. In 2024, HexClad also introduced a separate ceramic-coated line, TerraBond, which it markets as free of PTFE and PFAS.
Can you still file a HexClad claim?
No. The claim deadline was November 14, 2025. If you submitted a valid claim, your payment comes from the settlement administrator. If you did not, you cannot join now. Contact the settlement administrator, not HexClad, with payment questions, and be cautious of sites asking for fees or personal details to “join” the HexClad lawsuit.
What should HexClad owners know?
- The settlement was about labels. It did not find that HexClad pans are dangerous to use.
- Use nonstick cookware as directed. Avoid overheating any nonstick pan, especially when empty, and follow the maker’s care instructions.
- Check what you own. HexClad’s original hybrid line uses a PTFE-based coating, while TerraBond is ceramic. The product listing or packaging shows which you have.
- Keep receipts. Purchase records make any future warranty or settlement claim easier.
For other cases about food and product labeling, see our Chobani lawsuit breakdown and our Isotonix lawsuit explainer.
Current status of the HexClad lawsuit
The HexClad lawsuit is resolved. The settlement received final approval in March 2026, the claim period has closed, and payments to approved claimants began in May 2026, according to settlement trackers. We found no other pending class action against HexClad over its marketing.
Last updated: October 5, 2026. We checked the latest public settlement information and reports on this date.
Conclusion: the HexClad lawsuit in brief
The HexClad lawsuit alleged that the company marketed PTFE-coated cookware as non-toxic and PFAS-free. HexClad denied wrongdoing, and no court ruled on whether the claims were true. Instead, the company agreed to a $2.5 million class settlement and to change how it describes products that contain PTFE or other PFAS.
The settlement is final, the claim deadline has passed, and payments have gone out to approved claimants. More cases are explained in our Lawsuits section.
Frequently asked questions
What was the HexClad lawsuit about?
It claimed HexClad falsely advertised its hybrid cookware as non-toxic and free of PFAS and PFOA, even though the nonstick coating contains PTFE, a PFAS-family chemical.
How much is the HexClad settlement?
The total settlement is $2.5 million. After fees and costs, about $1.25 million was set aside for class members, divided pro rata among valid claims.
Is the HexClad claim deadline over?
Yes. The deadline to file a claim was November 14, 2025.
Are HexClad pans safe to use?
The lawsuit did not claim the pans caused injuries, and the court made no safety finding. It was about whether the marketing language was accurate.
Did HexClad admit wrongdoing?
No. HexClad agreed to settle without admitting any wrongdoing.
Sources
- ClassAction.org: $2.5M HexClad settlement reached in false advertising lawsuit over supposedly non-toxic cookware (2025)
- Top Class Actions: $2.5M HexClad cookware class action settlement
- Claim Depot: HexClad cookware false advertising settlement status (final approval and payment dates)
- LegalClarity: Is there a HexClad lawsuit? (2026)
- Wikipedia: HexClad Cookware (company background)