If you find yourself in a situation where you have not been paid due to wage theft, you might be thinking about filing a claim against your employer to recover your lost wages. A wage theft attorney can help guide you through the process to ensure that you receive the maximum settlement that you are entitled to, including lost wages, legal fees and possible compensation for emotional damages.
Wage theft is any instance where an employee is not paid for work that has been performed. It includes not being paid according to minimum wage laws, not being paid overtime, not being paid for the total number of hours worked, not receiving a final paycheck upon leaving a job and not being paid at all. Wage theft takes place in workplaces all over the country, from big corporations to small businesses.
If you have been the victim of wage theft, then you might consider talking with an experienced wage theft lawyer for help.
What Is a Wage Theft Lawyer?
Wage theft is one of the many things that the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) protects against, and it is overseen by the Department of Labor. Employment attorneys deal in all aspects of employment legal issues, from helping with wage theft to dealing with sexual harassment. They can help fight any kind of workplace violation that takes place.
Though employment attorneys can litigate almost any workplace violation, some of them may specialize in wage theft matters, meaning that their entire practice revolves around these issues. Working with a wage theft specialist can be helpful to ensure that you have the best person available to help you with your claim. They understand the kinds of evidence needed to prove a strong case, they understand the current laws and best practices and they will know exactly what you need to do based on your specific circumstances.
How Does a Wage Theft Lawyer Help?
A wage theft lawyer can help you to understand your options based on your situation, and then discuss a plan of action so that you can recover your lost wages.
Generally speaking, these are the areas in which a wage theft attorney can help you:
- Explanation: A wage theft attorney will be able to break down the laws that have been violated under the FLSA so that you understand your rights
- Options: During a consultation, a wage theft attorney will be able to outline your options. Should you file a claim with the Department of Labor, or should you file a private lawsuit against your employer, or perhaps the attorney can speak with your employer directly to resolve the matter without going to court or filing a claim
- Cost/Benefit Analysis: A wage theft lawyer will be able to outline the possible compensation you would be entitled to should you win your case, while also breaking down the legal fees and costs associated with the case. In some cases, it makes more sense to file a claim rather than pursue a private lawsuit simply because the cost of filing a lawsuit is much greater than filing a claim with the Department of Labor.
Once you have a clear picture of your options and the costs, you can decide whether hiring a wage theft lawyer is the best choice for you and your situation.
Finding a Wage Theft Lawyer
If you decide to consult and possibly hire a wage theft lawyer, you will likely begin your search online by looking for employment attorneys in your area. A quick internet search of wage theft attorneys in your city will also turn up a number of results. You might receive a referral from a trusted friend or family member, or you might have heard of an employment attorney from another source, such as a television ad or billboard.
You should meet with your prospective wage theft lawyer before making any decisions. You want to feel completely comfortable with your employment attorney so that together you can fight for a favorable decision. If you are not comfortable with your attorney, then keep the search going until you find the right one for you.
Most employment attorneys work on a contingency basis, meaning you do not pay any fees unless you win your case. That means you don’t need to worry about paying upfront, and there is very little risk to you in terms of out of pocket costs.
For more information about how an employment lawyer who specializes in wage theft issues might be able to help you, fill out a free case evaluation.
