Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare, LLC, has reached a $9.2 million settlement to resolve a class action lawsuit concerning its C+Collagen product line. The plaintiffs in the case, Jami Kandel, Mocha Gunaratna, and Renee Camenforte, alleged that the company falsely advertised that its C+Collagen products contained collagen when, in reality, they did not.
Overview of the Lawsuit
The initial lawsuit, Gunaratna, et al v. Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare, LLC, was filed on March 10, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California. A similar lawsuit, Kandel, et al v. Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare, LLC, was filed on March 7, 2024, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. The cases were consolidated, with the New York action amended to include the California class and representatives on March 26, 2024.
The core allegation was that Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare, LLC, owned, manufactured, and distributed products labeled as “C+Collagen” that claimed to contain collagen, despite allegedly being devoid of the ingredient. The plaintiffs argued that consumers paid a premium for these products under the false belief that they contained collagen.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare, LLC, denies these allegations, asserting that its products contain Vitamin C, which promotes collagen production in human skin. The company maintains that consumers received what they paid for and suffered no harm.
Terms of the Settlement
To avoid the costs and risks associated with continued litigation, Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare, LLC, agreed to a settlement. While the company denies any wrongdoing, it has agreed to make available a Total Settlement Fund of $9.2 million. This fund will cover:
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- Cash awards to Settlement Class Members
- Attorneys’ fees and litigation costs (up to $3.9 million)
- Service awards for the Settlement Class Representatives ($5,000 each)
- Settlement administration costs (not to exceed $399,324 plus postage)
Who Is Eligible?
You are considered a member of the Settlement Class if you purchased any of the following Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare products in the United States for personal or household use (and not for resale or distribution) between March 10, 2016, and June 28, 2024:
- C+Collagen Deep Cream
- C+Collagen Serum
- C+Collagen Mist
- C+Collagen Eye Cream
- C+Collagen Mask
- Any other products sold with the C+Collagen label
Excluded from the Settlement Class are the presiding judges in the Actions, their immediate family members, Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare, LLC, its subsidiaries, parents, affiliates, officers, directors, employees, legal representatives, heirs, successors, or assigns, counsel for the Parties, and any persons who timely opt-out of the Settlement Class.
How to Claim an Award
To receive a cash award, eligible Settlement Class Members must submit a valid claim form by September 27, 2024. The claim form requires information regarding the quantity of Class Products purchased during the Class Period.
Class Members can receive \$50 per product purchased, with a cap based on whether they provide proof of purchase:
- With Proof of Purchase: \$50 per product, up to ten products (maximum \$500)
- Without Proof of Purchase: \$50 per product, up to two products (maximum \$100)
If the total value of claims exceeds the Net Settlement Fund, the awards will be adjusted pro rata. Pro rata upward adjustments of cash claims are capped at $100 per Class Product. Any funds remaining after the distribution of the Settlement Fund will be disbursed cy pres (donated to a related charity or cause).
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The Settlement Administrator may seek additional information to validate the Claim Form or disqualify an invalid claim.
Key Dates
- Claim Deadline: September 27, 2024
- Final Approval Hearing: October 31, 2024
- Distribution of Payments: Began on December 31, 2024
Options for Settlement Class Members
Settlement Class Members have the following options:
- File a Claim: Submit a claim form by the deadline to receive a cash award.
- Exclude Yourself (Opt-Out): Retain the right to sue Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare, LLC, over the legal issues in this case. Requests to opt out must include your name, address, telephone number, the approximate date of purchase, and your signature, and be sent to the Settlement Administrator by September 27, 2024.
- Object to the Settlement: Submit a written objection to the Settlement Administrator explaining the basis for your objection. Objections must be received by September 27, 2024.
- Do Nothing: Receive no payment from the Settlement and give up the right to sue Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare, LLC, for the claims resolved by the Settlement.
The Court’s Fairness Hearing
The Court held a hearing on October 31, 2024, to determine whether to grant final approval to the Settlement. The Court considered whether the Settlement is fair, reasonable, and adequate. The Court also determined how much to pay the Settlement Class Representatives and the lawyers representing Settlement Class Members.
Class Counsel
The Court has designated Ryan J. Clarkson, Yana Hart, and Tiara Avaness of Clarkson Law Firm, P.C., as Class Counsel to represent Settlement Class Members.
Important Information
- Submitting a claim form is the only way to receive payment from the Settlement.
- Class members need not sign up for a third-party service to participate in any monetary relief. No-cost assistance is available from the Class Administrator and Class Counsel during the claims-filing period.
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