Miramar Unpaid Wages Lawyer

Miramar Unpaid Wages Attorney

There’s a reason Florida and the United States more broadly have minimum wage laws in place. It’s to protect workers from employers who don’t want to pay them fair wages. Despite these laws, some employers still withhold pay from workers. If that’s happening to you, it’s time to hire a Miramar unpaid wages lawyer.

Trust The Law Office of Michelle Cohen Levy, P.A.

If you need a Miramar employment lawyer to help with your unpaid wages case, you can turn to The Law Office of Michelle Cohen Levy, P.A. Michelle Cohen Levy has been practicing employment law for years. In that time, she has developed a deep understanding of unpaid wages laws and how they apply to different kinds of cases. Our office can help you get the money you’re owed.

Why Hire an Unpaid Wages Lawyer?

Florida has one of the highest rates of minimum wage violations in the country. Employees facing wage theft lose 18% of the minimum wage to which they’re entitled, amounting to $1.32 per hour. The current minimum wage in Florida is set to $14 per hour, but that doesn’t do anyone any good if employers are failing to pay it and no one is enforcing the state and federal wage laws.

Whether you’re making less than minimum wage or you haven’t been paid the full wages you’re owed at a higher rate of pay, you should hire an unpaid wages lawyer to help you hold your employer accountable. This includes situations where you were required to work through your unpaid lunch break but not compensated for that time. Florida is notorious for failing to prosecute employers who commit wage theft. You can do your part to combat this problem by holding your employer legally accountable and recovering the money you’re owed.

What Is Wage Theft?

Wage theft is a crime that occurs when an employer refuses to pay a worker the wages they are owed for their time and labor. Both federal and state laws govern the payment process, including minimum wage laws and overtime pay requirements. If employers commit wage theft, employees have the right to recover the wages they are owed in court. Understanding the specifics of Florida’s wage and hour laws is crucial to identifying if your rights have been violated.

Companies don’t just commit wage theft by withholding wages entirely. Some employers try to short-change employees, paying them less than they are owed. This is also a form of wage theft, and it can be addressed in court.

How to Report an Employer for Wage Theft

The first step you have to take if you want to get the money you’re owed from your employer is to report them to the US Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD). It’s this organization that enforces the federal Fair Labor Standards Act. Once you submit your claim through the WHD, the department can conduct an investigation. Factors that determine if your claim may get approved include whether you:

• Are a salaried or hourly employee
• Are making the federal or state minimum wage
• Are an independent contractor
• Work a non-traditional workweek
• Could participate in a class-action lawsuit against the company
• Could receive your back pay in your next paycheck
• Worked overtime hours

If the WHD deems your claim valid, a legal order can be issued to your employer ot pay you any unpaid wages. WHD claims aren’t always successful. If your claim isn’t deemed valid, you can still bring your employer to small claims court to recover back pay and damages.

Employer Retaliation

Workers often worry about being disciplined, or even fired, for filing a complaint against their employers. Thankfully, WHD complaints are confidential, and it’s illegal for your employer to discriminate against you for filing a claim. If you get fired, don’t get promoted when you otherwise would have been, or face other negative action, you can file an additional claim against your employer with the Broward County Clerk of Courts.

FAQs

How Much Can I Get From a Company for Not Paying Me?

How much you can get from a company for not paying you varies depending on how much back pay you are owed. You’re legally entitled to recover the original unpaid wages, plus other potential damages. You may be able to recover as much as double or triple the amount your employer originally owed you, plus money to cover attorney fees and court costs.

What Is the Law on Unpaid Wages in Florida?

The law on unpaid wages in Florida is the same as the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Florida’s unpaid wages statute is also governed by the Florida Minimum Wage Act. These two laws provide employees with the right to file claims against their employers for unpaid wages, including minimum wage, overtime, and earned commissions. This includes specific rules regarding the timing of your final paycheck in Florida, which employers must adhere to.

Can I Take an Employer to Court if They Don’t Pay Me?

You can take an employer to court if they don’t pay you, even a large employer like Memorial Hospital Miramar or Spirit Airlines. The easiest way to file a claim against your employer is to enlist the help of a Miramar unpaid wages attorney. Your attorney can help you file the initial claim, collect and present evidence, and, if necessary, provide courtroom representation. Most unpaid wages cases are settled outside of court.

How Much Does an Unpaid Wages Lawyer Cost?

How much an employment lawyer costs varies depending on factors such as the lawyer’s experience level and the complexity of your case. If your case goes to court in Miramar, Florida, you can expect to pay more than you would for a case that gets settled outside of court. Many unpaid wages lawyers work on a contingency basis, meaning they don’t get paid unless you get your back pay from your employer.

Your Miramar Unpaid Wages Lawyer

You deserve to be paid on time for your labor. If your employer is withholding your pay for any reason, you should contact a Miramar unpaid wages lawyer. The Law Office of Michelle Cohen Levy, P.A., can help with your unpaid wages case. Michelle Cohen Levy has been practicing employment law for years, and in that time, she has developed a deep understanding of unpaid wages laws and how to apply them to your case. Contact us to schedule a consultation.