How We Verify Settlements & Lawsuits

By Tiffany · Last updated: October 10, 2026

Settlement and lawsuit news spreads fast on social media, and a lot of it is wrong or out of date. This page explains exactly how Tiff’s Money Tips checks a case before writing about it, how each article is labeled, and how I keep articles current.

The short version: I check every case against court records and the official settlement website, label it with its current status, and show a “Last Verified” date. Referral partners never decide what I cover or how I describe it.

How cases are found

I hear about cases from court filings, official settlement notices, news coverage, law-firm announcements, and questions from readers and followers. Hearing about a case is only a starting point. Nothing is published until the basic facts are confirmed from a primary source.

What sources are checked

In order of preference, I rely on:

Court records: the complaint, settlement agreement, and court orders on the public docket (through PACER, CourtListener, or the court’s website).
The official settlement website: the court-authorized site run by the settlement administrator, which lists deadlines, eligibility rules, and the claim form.
Government sources: agencies such as the FTC, FDA, or state attorneys general when they are involved.
Counsel for the class: case pages published by the law firms appointed by the court, used for status updates and documents.
Reputable news outlets: used for context, never as the only source for a deadline or eligibility rule.

Third-party claim services, including referral partners, are never used as the source for a case’s status, deadline, or payment amount.

How court documents are verified

For each case I confirm the case name, the court, and the case number where it is available, then match the key facts (who is covered, what the settlement provides, and the deadlines) to the court’s own orders or the settlement agreement. If a detail cannot be confirmed in a court document or on the official settlement website, it is either left out or clearly described as unconfirmed.

How official settlement administrators are identified

Legitimate settlement websites are authorized by the court. I confirm the official site by finding it named in a court order, the class notice, or the settlement agreement, and by checking that it names the court and case. Copycat sites and claim services are not treated as official. Filing a claim through an official settlement administrator is always free.

What each status label means

Every settlement and lawsuit article uses the same labels, shown at the top of the article:

Lawsuit Ongoing – No Settlement Yet

The lawsuit is ongoing. There is no approved settlement or public claim form. Allegations have not been proven.

Attorney Case Review

Law firms may be reviewing individual cases. Submitting information is not the same as filing a settlement claim and does not guarantee compensation.

Proposed Settlement – Pending Approval

The parties have agreed to a settlement, but the court has not approved it yet. There may be no claim form until it does, and the terms can change.

Claims Open

An approved or preliminarily approved settlement is accepting claims. Many settlements open claims after preliminary approval, before the court’s final approval hearing.

Settlement Approved – Payments Pending

The settlement has been approved but payments are still being processed. Payments can be delayed by appeals.

Claims Closed

The deadline to file a claim has passed.

What “Last Verified” means

The “Last Verified” date in each article’s case verification box is the most recent date I re-checked that case’s status, deadlines, and official links against the sources above. It is not the date the article was first written. Information can change after that date, so always confirm on the official settlement website or court docket before filing.

How often articles are reviewed

Articles with open claims are re-checked at least once a month, and again shortly before the claim deadline.
Ongoing lawsuit and attorney case review articles are re-checked at least every three months.
Any article is updated as soon as I learn of a settlement, a court ruling, a new deadline, or a change in status.

How corrections are handled

If something in an article is wrong or out of date, I correct it, update the status label and “Last Verified” date, and note significant changes in the article. If you spot an error, please let me know through the Contact page and include a link to the official source if you have one.

How referral relationships are kept separate

Some articles mention referral partners such as ClaimMoney.com, and Tiff’s Money Tips may be compensated when readers use them. Those relationships do not decide which cases are covered, what status a case is given, or how it is described. When a settlement is open, the official settlement website is listed first, and any referral partner is presented afterward as an optional third-party service. Read the full Affiliate & Referral Disclosure.

What this site is not

Tiff’s Money Tips is not a law firm, attorney, financial advisor, court, settlement administrator, or government agency. Articles are general information and do not determine whether you qualify for anything. See the Legal & Financial Disclaimer.