Free 15-Minute Consultation
What Is Wage Theft?
Wage theft occurs when an employer fails to pay workers the full compensation they are legally entitled to. This can include unpaid regular wages, overtime, commissions, tips, missed meal or rest breaks, or unreimbursed work-related expenses.
Wage theft can take many forms from subtle underpayment to outright refusal to pay for time worked. Some employers may misclassify employees to avoid paying overtime, make them work off-the-clock, withhold paychecks, or fail to provide accurate wage statements.
Workers have the right to receive fair compensation for every hour worked. When those rights are violated, employees may be able to recover back pay, interest, penalties, and other damages under state and federal laws. An experienced Lawyers for Justice, P.C. wage theft attorney can assess the situation and pursue legal action to recover the compensation owed.
Wage and Hour Protections
Both federal and state laws establish minimum standards that employers must follow when it comes to wages, breaks, scheduling, and worker classification. These laws are designed to ensure that employees are paid fairly and treated with dignity in the workplace.
Key wage and hour protections include:
- Minimum wage requirements based on federal, state, or local law
- Overtime pay for eligible workers who work beyond standard daily, or weekly limits
- Timely payment of wages, including final paychecks upon separation
- Accurate wage statements that clearly document hours worked and pay earned
- Meal and rest breaks, where applicable
- Reimbursement for business-related expenses
Violations of these laws are not always obvious. A qualified wage and hour attorney at Lawyers for Justice, P.C. can help determine if a workers’ rights have been violated and take legal steps to hold employers accountable.
Why Do I Need a Wage and Hour Attorney?
Unfortunately, wage theft rarely stops until someone forces it to. Some employers delay, deflect, or deny payment for months—knowing many workers won’t take action or think they can’t. They may think of themselves as shrewd negotiators rather than lawbreakers. A skilled wage and hour attorney forces employers to face their illegal actions and the real financial risk of continuing to violate labor law.
When an employer steals an employee’s wages, the balance of power shifts. The employer can face steep penalties, interest, and even public exposure for their criminal actions. Often, employers assume they can bully workers without suffering any consequences. A wage theft lawyer swiftly dispels that deluded thought. The lawyer also manages the case, ensuring all statutory time limits for filing unpaid wage claims are met.
Lawyers for Justice’s wage and hour attorneys hold employers accountable and fight for every dollar workers are owed in unpaid wages, damages, and penalties.
Schedule a Free Consultation with a Wage and Hour Lawyer
Workers don’t have to face wage theft alone. A skilled wage and hour attorney at Lawyers for Justice, P.C., can take immediate action to stop ongoing violations, recover full compensation, and send the clear message that exploitation is a crime.
To get started, call (818) JUSTICE or complete the contact form. Connect with the Lawyers for Justice, P.C. team today to find the best wage and hour lawyer near you.
