When your workers’ rights have been violated through unpaid wages, you may be wondering how to proceed, and whether or not it’s necessary to hire an employment lawyer. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), minimum wage, overtime pay, recordkeeping, and youth employment standards are clearly defined in the private sector, as well as in federal, state, and local governments.
When your employer fails to pay you minimum wage, for all the hours you’ve worked, or for overtime work, you have a claim for a wage and hour violation. An employment lawyer is necessary to help you determine exactly how your rights have been violated, and can present you with legal options moving forward to help you pursue compensation.
Though you may think you can handle your wage and hour claim on your own, or if you don’t think your case is worth pursuing, the reality is that as a worker, you have undeniable rights that must be upheld. If you fail to take legal action in your case, your employer may violate your wage and hour rights in the future.
A lawyer can help you sort your wage and hour violations through:
- Analyzing whether your employers has violated the FLSA or state employment laws: You may have a claim if you haven’t been paid minimum wage, for break times, off-the-clock work, untaken accrued vacation time, and more. Some of these claims aren’t clear cut and need a legal eye.
- Discussing your options: Depending on your unique situation, you may want to file a claim with the federal or state labor department, have a letter sent to your employer to demand payment, or file a lawsuit. A lawyer can help you understand the consequences of each and can walk you through each step of your case.
- Providing a cost/benefit analysis: A lawyer fully understands the likelihood of you succeeding through any of your available options, as well as how much money you’ll be able to recover. They can provide you with realistic outcomes so you can make an informed decision.
Your First Meeting with a Lawyer
When you ultimately decide to hire an employment lawyer to help you recover your wages, it’s important to supply them with all the information they need upfront in order to build evidence for your case. You’ll need to bring relevant documents to your meeting, including pay-stubs, records of hours worked, the employee handbook, and more.
On a Mission to Improve Lives
At Donati Law, PLLC, our attorneys aim to guide clients to successful future. Whether you’re being mistreated in the workplace, need disability benefits, want to appeal your denied claim, or have been forgotten for your service as a veteran, we can help you achieve the justice you deserve and give you the tools you need to lead a better life. We have decades of experience helping employees pursue the compensation they’ve been wrongly denied, and we’re not intimidated by the legal teams of powerful employers. When you need representation, we can be by your side throughout the legal process.
Call our experienced employment attorneys at Donati Law, PLLC at (901) 209-5500, or contact us online. Our team has the resources and skills needed to help you understand your options and defend your rights to compensation, should you decide to file a lawsuit. You can trust us and our 35+ years of service.
