Do You Need A Lawyer For Unpaid Wages?
If your employer has not paid you in full for your work, you may be entitled to some compensation, as well as the wages you are owed. In some cases, if your employer has failed to pay you your wages, then you may also be able to bring other claims. Here’s what you can do.
Wage Claims
You may have a claim for unpaid wages if your employer has failed to pay you:
• Legal minimum wage for our area
• For breaks specified by law
• For over-time
• For time required to put on or take safety gear or other uniforms
• For untaken vacation time
• Premium overtime pay for hours outside of the legal maximum
• For travel time related to work
This is a simple guide, as most cases are not this clear cut. Even a claim about minimum wage can be complicated if you earn commission or tips. With the help of a lawyer with experience in protecting the rights of wage theft victims, you can decide if your employer has broken the law.
How can a lawyer help?
A lawyer can figure out if your employer has broken the law by not paying you, and they can also help you to work out what your best options are for challenging the illegal actions of your employer and discuss whether you have a case that is worth pursuing.
Discuss Your Options
If your employer has violated wage or working hour laws, you may be able to sue them. In many cases, you may also have other options. For example, you may be able to make a claim for unpaid wages against your employer with your local labor department. They will then hold a hearing to make a decision on the claim. This is a less expensive and often faster option than a lawsuit, but it may limit the damages you can get back. A lawyer can discuss both these options with you and help you decide which will be best for you.
You may also be able to contact your employer in an informal manner to negotiate a settlement on your unpaid wages claim. An employment lawyer can help you to do this, and help you reach an informed decision about the best course of action to get what you are owed.
Cost/Benefit Analysis
By using an employment lawyer, you can also get a clear assessment of how likely it is that any of the options available will be successful, and give you a clear idea of the costs involved with the undertaking of each. You can discuss with your lawyer what you might realistically be able to recover in damages. Weigh these against the cost of your attorney fees you may have to pay to get those damages, so you can make the right decision to get the money you are owed.
If you are owed money, contact an employment lawyer and get professional help to claim back the money that you are owed.