Settlement Filing Terms

1. Types of Claims We Assist With

Class Action Settlements

Class action settlements are court-approved resolutions of lawsuits where one or more plaintiffs represent a larger group (the "class") with similar claims against defendants. Under Federal Rule 23, these settlements must be "fair, reasonable, and adequate" as determined by federal courts.

• Settlement terms are established by courts and administrators, not Collect
• Class members have rights to participate, opt-out, or object to settlements
• Settlement notices must comply with Class Action Fairness Act (CAFA) requirements
• Final approval requires court review and 90-day waiting periods under federal law

Individual Arbitration Claims

Individual arbitration claims are one-on-one disputes resolved outside of court through binding arbitration. These claims may offer:

• Faster resolution timelines compared to class actions
• Potentially higher individual recovery amounts
• Direct representation by qualified attorneys (when applicable)
• Binding arbitration under Federal Arbitration Act

2. Collect's Services and Limitations

Filing Assistance Services We Provide

• Settlement Discovery: Aggregate information about active class action settlements and arbitration opportunities
• Eligibility Assessment: Provide tools to help assess potential eligibility (not legal determinations)
• Form Completion: Assist with completing claim forms and arbitration demands
• Document Submission: Submit completed forms to administrators and opposing parties with your authorization
• Status Tracking: Provide updates on submission status when available
• Deadline Reminders: Send notifications about important deadlines

Critical Service Limitations

Independence and Affiliations

Collect operates independently and maintains no affiliations with:

• Federal or state courts
• Class action settlement administrators
• Defendants or their legal counsel
• Plaintiff law firms (except for individual arbitration referrals)
• Arbitration organizations (AAA, JAMS, etc.)

3. User Responsibilities and Certifications

Eligibility Determination

You are solely responsible for determining your eligibility for settlements and arbitration claims. Eligibility is typically based on:

• Geographic residence during class periods
• Purchase, use, or exposure to specific products/services
• Employment or contractual relationships
• Financial transactions or data breaches
• Specific legal requirements set by courts or settlement terms

Legal Certifications and Warranties

By using our Services to submit claims, you certify and warrant that:

• All information you provide is true, complete, and accurate to the best of your knowledge
• You genuinely believe you meet all eligibility requirements for each claim
• You have not submitted duplicate claims for the same settlement through any service
• You understand the legal consequences of submitting false information
• You have reviewed all relevant settlement documents and court orders
• You voluntarily authorize Collect to submit claims on your behalf as your limited agent

Fraud Prevention and Consequences

Settlement administrators and courts employ sophisticated fraud detection methods. Consequences of fraudulent claims may include:

• Criminal prosecution under federal and state perjury laws
• Exclusion from current and future class action settlements
• Civil liability for damages and attorney fees
• Contempt of court charges
• Investigation by law enforcement agencies

4. Filing Process and Authorization

Required Information and Documentation

To assist with filing claims and arbitration demands, we may collect:

• Personal identification (full legal name, address, date of birth, SSN when required)
• Contact information (email address, phone number)
• Purchase history, receipts, and transaction records
• Employment or contract information
• Product usage details and dates of exposure/purchase
• Supporting documentation as required by specific settlements
• Payment information for settlement distributions

Limited Agency Authorization

By using our Services, you grant Collect a limited power of attorney solely to:

• Complete and submit settlement claim forms to administrators
• File individual arbitration demands with opposing parties
• Provide your information to settlement administrators and counsel
• Receive administrative correspondence regarding claim status
• Coordinate with law firms for individual arbitration representation (when applicable)

Submission Methods and Compliance

We submit claims and arbitration demands using methods required by:

• Federal court orders and settlement agreements
• Settlement administrator procedures and requirements
• Arbitration organization rules (AAA, JAMS, etc.)
• Applicable federal and state filing requirements
• CAFA notification and timing requirements

5. Payments and Distributions

Class Action Settlement Payments

Settlement payments are governed by court orders and administrator procedures:

• All payments made directly by court-appointed settlement administrators
• Payment amounts determined by settlement terms, claim volume, and available funds
• Distribution timing subject to court approval and CAFA waiting periods (typically 6-18 months)
• Payments via check, ACH transfer, prepaid cards, or other administrator-approved methods
• Some settlements provide non-monetary benefits (products, services, credits)

Individual Arbitration Awards

Individual arbitration outcomes vary significantly:

• Awards paid directly by opposing parties or their insurers
• Payment amounts based on arbitrator decisions or negotiated settlements
• Timing subject to arbitration proceedings and enforcement actions
• Attorney fees may be deducted from awards per contingency agreements
• No guarantee of any award or recovery

Tax and Legal Implications

6. Data Security and Third-Party Sharing

Required Data Sharing

By authorizing claim submissions, you consent to sharing your information with:

• Court-appointed settlement administrators and their vendors
• Opposing parties and their legal counsel in arbitration matters
• Law firms representing you in individual arbitration (when applicable)
• Courts and arbitration organizations as required by proceedings
• Third-party verification services used by administrators

Sensitive Information Requirements

Many claims require sensitive personal information including:

• Social Security Numbers for tax reporting and identity verification
• Financial account information for direct deposits
• Medical records for personal injury or health-related claims
• Employment records and income information
• Driver's license numbers and other government-issued ID

Third-Party Privacy Practices

Settlement administrators, law firms, and opposing parties have independent privacy policies and data handling practices. We recommend reviewing their privacy notices before proceeding with claims.

7. Deadlines and Legal Requirements

Court-Imposed Deadlines

Federal and state courts establish non-negotiable deadlines for:

• Settlement claim submissions (typically 60-120 days from notice)
• Opt-out requests (usually earlier than claim deadlines)
• Objections to proposed settlements
• Appeals of settlement approvals
• Individual arbitration demand filings (per contract terms)

Arbitration Time Limits

Individual arbitration claims are subject to:

• Contractual time limits for filing demands (typically 1-3 years)
• Statutes of limitations under applicable state and federal law
• Procedural deadlines set by arbitration organizations
• Response deadlines for opposing parties

CAFA Compliance Periods

Class action settlements must comply with Class Action Fairness Act requirements, including 90-day waiting periods for final approval. These federal requirements affect payment timing but not claim deadlines.

8. Collection Disputes and Appeals

Settlement Claim Denials

If settlement administrators deny your claims:

• Denials are made by independent administrators, not Collect
• Common reasons include: insufficient documentation, missed deadlines, eligibility issues
• Appeal procedures are governed by settlement agreements and court orders
• You must pursue appeals directly with administrators (not through Collect)
• Appeal deadlines are typically 30-60 days from denial notice

Arbitration Outcomes

Individual arbitration results may include:

• Awards in your favor (partial or full recovery)
• Awards against you (including liability for opposing party costs)
• No award (arbitrator finds no liability)
• Dismissal for procedural failures

Service-Related Disputes

For disputes about Collect's filing assistance services:

• Contact our support team first at contact.collectdev@gmail.com
• Most issues resolved through documentation and customer service
• Formal disputes subject to binding arbitration per our Terms of Use
• We maintain complete records of all submissions for verification

9. Comprehensive Service Disclaimers

Information and Database Limitations

• Our database may not include all available settlements or arbitration opportunities
• Settlement information is aggregated from public sources and may contain errors
• Eligibility assessments are screening tools, not legal determinations
• We cannot verify the authenticity or current status of all settlements
• Settlement terms may change after court modifications or appeals

Technical and Operational Limitations

• Service interruptions may occur without notice
• Technical errors in form submission may result in claim rejection
• Third-party systems (administrators, courts) may reject filings for various reasons
• We cannot guarantee delivery or acceptance of submitted materials
• Email and postal delivery to administrators may fail without our knowledge

Your Independent Obligations

Regardless of our assistance, you remain solely responsible for:

• Verifying eligibility and settlement terms on official websites
• Maintaining complete and accurate records of all claims
• Meeting all deadlines established by courts and administrators
• Understanding legal consequences of claim submissions
• Monitoring claim status through official channels
• Seeking independent legal counsel when necessary

10. US Federal and State Jurisdictional Requirements

Federal Court Jurisdiction

Many class action settlements are governed by federal law, including:

• Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 23 (class action requirements)
• Class Action Fairness Act (CAFA) procedural requirements
• Federal court approval and oversight of settlements
• Interstate commerce and federal question jurisdiction
• Federal Arbitration Act governing individual arbitration

State-Specific Requirements

State court settlements and state law claims may involve:

• State-specific class action procedures and requirements
• Consumer protection law variations by state
• State arbitration law and enforceability standards
• Residency and domicile requirements for participation
• State tax implications for settlement payments

Multi-District Litigation (MDL)

Some settlements arise from MDL proceedings involving:

• Centralized pretrial proceedings in federal court
• Coordination of multiple related lawsuits
• Special master and court-appointed administrator oversight
• Complex allocation formulas for different injury types

11. Updates and Legal Changes

These Settlement Filing Terms may be updated to reflect:

• Changes in federal and state class action laws
• New court decisions affecting settlement procedures
• Updates to Federal Rules of Civil Procedure
• CAFA amendments or new federal legislation
• Enhanced service features or expanded filing capabilities
• Regulatory guidance from courts and legal authorities

Material changes will be communicated via email and posted prominently in our Services. Continued use after the effective date of changes constitutes acceptance of revised terms.

12. Contact Information