Articles / When the agreement arrives
What a "no pending claims" statement means in a separation agreement
The sentence that asks you to confirm you have not filed any claims, why it matters, and what people commonly check.
Last reviewed November 6, 2026. General information about California law, not legal advice.
The short answer
Many separation agreements ask you to confirm that you have not filed any claims, charges or complaints. If you have an open matter anywhere, including an internal HR complaint, that statement may not be true for you. People commonly ask for it to be corrected or for an exception listing the open matter.
What it looks like
A short section, often titled “Pending Claims” or “Representations,” says you have not filed any claims, lawsuits, charges or complaints against the company. Some versions add that you have reported all workplace injuries or received all wages.
Why it matters
A signed statement that is not true can be used later to question your credibility. The clause is standard text in many agreements, which is exactly why it is easy to sign without reading.
What people commonly check
- Search the agreement for “have not filed,” “no claims,” “represent” and “warrant.”
- List any open matter: an agency complaint, an internal HR complaint, an ethics report.
- Ask in writing to strike the sentence or add an exception that lists the open matter.
- Keep the request and the reply.
Common questions
Does an internal complaint count?
Read the clause. Many cover claims or complaints made inside the company, which can include a report to HR or an ethics line.
Is asking for a correction unusual?
No. Fixing a statement that is not true is a routine correction, not a negotiation.
Not legal advice
This article explains how California and federal rules generally work. It does not tell you what to do in your situation, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every example on this site is a fictional story. For advice, seefree and low-cost help in California.