Strides Testosterone Gel Benzene Class Action Settlement
Strides Testosterone Gel Benzene Class Action Settlement
Strides Pharma, Inc. has agreed to a $750,000 non-reversionary settlement over allegations that its testosterone gel contained benzene, a human carcinogen, above FDA limits. Class members who purchased Strides testosterone gel for personal or household use between June 1, 2022, and July 31, 2025, can claim reimbursement of 40% to 100% of their out-of-pocket cost per prescription, depending on purchase date, with a $3.50 minimum baseline per prescription.
Settlement fund
$750K
Common fund
Top payout
Up to 100%
Reimbursement of out-of-pocket cost per prescription
Claim deadline
Sep 16, 2026
48 days remaining
You may be owed money
Filing is free and takes a few minutes. Deadline: Sep 16, 2026.
Do you qualify?
You are a Class Member if ALL of the following apply:
- You purchased Strides testosterone gel, for personal or household use, in the United States between June 1, 2022, and July 31, 2025.
- You can show proof of purchase, such as a pharmacy, insurance, or pharmacy benefits manager printout, or a purchase receipt, showing the purchase date, an NDC number for Strides testosterone gel, and the amount paid out-of-pocket.
- Excluded: Strides and its officers, directors, agents, and affiliates; Strides's past and present employees; and the judge presiding over the case.
Not sure if you qualify? Call the Settlement Administrator at 1-888-808-7024, or visit StridesGelSettlement.com.
What happened
Plaintiffs allege that Strides Pharma, Inc. manufactured and distributed testosterone gel containing benzene, a substance classified as a human carcinogen, in excess of FDA limits. Plaintiffs contend the product violated the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and current Good Manufacturing Practices, and that Strides recalled hundreds of thousands of cartons of the gel in 2025 after benzene contamination was discovered. Plaintiffs claim purchasers received a product that was economically worthless and overpaid as a result.
Strides denies wrongdoing and denies the allegations, and the parties agreed to settle to avoid the cost, risk, and delay of continued litigation. Strides has also reformulated its product to address the underlying issue and agreed to continued testing to keep benzene-contaminated testosterone gel off the market. This lawsuit and settlement address economic loss only, they do not release any personal injury or wrongful death claims related to using the product.
How to file a claim
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1. Confirm you are eligible
You must have purchased Strides testosterone gel for personal or household use in the United States between June 1, 2022, and July 31, 2025.
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2. Tally up your claim
Reimbursement is 100% of your out-of-pocket cost for prescriptions purchased between January 1 and July 31, 2025, 75% for prescriptions purchased in 2024, and 40% for prescriptions purchased between June 1, 2022, and December 31, 2023. If your out-of-pocket cost was less than $3.50 for a prescription, you get a $3.50 minimum baseline, adjusted by the same percentages.
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3. File online or by mail
Submit the Claim Submission Form online at veritaconnect.com/StridesGelSettlement/Claimant by 11:59 p.m. ET on September 16, 2026, or mail a paper Claim Submission Form (postmarked by September 16, 2026) to: Painter v. Strides Pharma, Inc. Settlement, Claims Administrator, P.O. Box 301134, Los Angeles, CA 90030-1134.
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4. Receive your payment
Payments are issued after the Court grants final approval at the November 19, 2026 Fairness Hearing and any appeals are resolved. The appeal process can take a year or more. No follow-up is required once your claim is submitted.
Key dates
- Aug 17, 2026 Opt-out & objection deadline Soon
- Sep 16, 2026 Claim filing deadline Upcoming
- Nov 19, 2026 Final Fairness Hearing (2:00 p.m. ET, in person) Upcoming
- TBD after final approval Payments issued to claimants Pending
The Fairness Hearing is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. ET on November 19, 2026, before the Honorable Nelson S. Roman in Courtroom 218 of the Hon. Charles L. Brieant Jr. Federal Building and Courthouse, 300 Quarropas Street, White Plains, NY 10601, in person. The Court may move the hearing, so check StridesGelSettlement.com for updates before traveling.
Where the money is going
Strides has agreed to a $750,000 non-reversionary minimum fund. Each eligible claimant is reimbursed a percentage of their documented out-of-pocket cost, and Strides pays attorneys' fees, service awards, and administration costs separately, so those items do not reduce claimant payments.
Reimbursement amounts are based on each claimant's documented purchase price and are not reduced based on the number of claims filed. If total valid claims come in under $750,000, the difference is distributed pro rata to claiming Class Members, to the extent permitted by the Court, as an additional payment. All amounts are pending final court approval at the Fairness Hearing.
Common questions
How much money will I receive?
Reimbursement is 100% of your out-of-pocket cost for prescriptions purchased between January 1 and July 31, 2025, 75% for prescriptions purchased between January 1 and December 31, 2024, and 40% for prescriptions purchased between June 1, 2022, and December 31, 2023. If your out-of-pocket cost was less than $3.50 for a given prescription, you get a $3.50 minimum baseline, adjusted by the same percentages. Strides has agreed to a $750,000 non-reversionary minimum fund, if total claims come in under that amount, the difference is distributed pro rata to claimants as an additional payment.
Do I need to submit proof of purchase?
Yes, you need proof of purchase showing the purchase date, an NDC number or other manufacturer identification for Strides testosterone gel, and the amount you paid out-of-pocket. A pharmacy, insurance, or pharmacy benefits manager printout, or a copy of your receipt, can serve as proof.
What if I didn’t receive a notice?
Yes. You do not need to have received a notice, and you do not need to show your product came from a recalled lot, to file a claim. All consumers who purchased Strides testosterone gel between June 1, 2022, and July 31, 2025, can submit a claim with proof of purchase.
Does staying in the class affect my right to sue later?
If you stay in the settlement, you give up the right to sue Strides or other released parties for economic loss related to purchasing Strides testosterone gel during the class period. This settlement does not release any personal injury or wrongful death claims. To keep your right to sue over economic loss, you must exclude yourself (opt out) by August 17, 2026.
When will payments be sent out?
Payments begin after the Court grants final approval at the November 19, 2026 Fairness Hearing and any appeals are resolved, which can take a year or more.
Dapeer Law, P.A.
Consumer class action attorneys based in South Florida. We track settlements so you don’t have to.
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This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Dapeer Law, P.A. is not the administrator of this settlement and is not affiliated with Strides Pharma, Inc., Verita Global (the Settlement Administrator), or Class Counsel Aaron K. Block of The Block Firm LLC and Max Marks of The Block Firm LLC. The case is Painter v. Strides Pharma, Inc., No. 7:25-CV-4189, pending in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York before the Honorable Nelson S. Roman. Class representatives are May Painter, Nicole Heslip, Mathias Conduff, Nathaniel Mendez-Gutierrez, Rodney Shaw, Myles Thomason, and Jeffrey Duprex. Strides denies wrongdoing. This website is attorney advertising. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
