Chillicothe Wage and Employment Attorneys

“A fair day’s wage for a fair day’s work” is an old labor adage. Unfortunately, this is not always what happens. Employee pay is one of the largest costs of running a business, and unfortunately, employers sometimes try to retain more of their profits by not paying employees properly. Sometimes, employers are simply not knowledgeable on the latest federal and state hour and wage laws.

Employees who have not been paid the wages they are owed can take legal action against their employer to recover back pay, liquidated damages, court costs, attorney’s fees, and interest. Filing a lawsuit for unpaid wages is not easy, though. If you believe your employer has not provided proper wages, our Chillicothe wage and employment attorneys can advise on how to file your claim.

Types of Lawsuits Involving Unpaid Wages

There are a number of ways employers may violate wage and hour laws. Some common ways are the following:

• Not paying proper overtime
• Not paying proper minimum wage
• Withholding illegal deductions
• Failing to provide legally mandated rest and meal breaks
• Refusing to reimburse employees for compensable expenses, such as uniforms
• Not compensating workers when paychecks bounce
• Withholding the final paycheck after terminating the employee

If you believe your employer has committed one of the above violations, or any other, it is important to know the steps you should take to address it. Remedies include, but are not limited to, filing a claim with the U.S. Department of Labor, the Ohio Department of Commerce,  and/or filing a lawsuit.

Filing a Lawsuit for Unpaid Wages

Filing a lawsuit for unpaid wages requires several steps, such as the following:

• Understand the statute of limitations: All federal and state lawsuits have a statute of limitations, or a time limit to file a lawsuit. Cases involving unpaid wages in the state have a statute of limitations of two years from the date of the last violation, or three years if the violation was willful. If you do not file a claim within the statute of limitations, you will forever forfeit your right to sue.
• Gather evidence: All legal cases rely on evidence, including lawsuits that involve unpaid wages. Evidence in cases involving unpaid wages includes timesheets, calendars, pay stubs, and notes about your hours worked. Keep a diary of how many hours you worked, how much you were paid, and if your employer asked you to work or train off the clock.
• Call an employment lawyer: Filing a claim for unpaid wages in Ohio is not an easy task. A lawyer will know federal law, Ohio’s wage and hour laws, advise you of your legal options, and help determine if you have a viable case.

After contacting a lawyer, they will also advise you of the next steps to take.

Contact Our Ohio Employment Lawyers Today

If you believe your employer has not paid you proper wages, our Chillicothe wage and employment attorneys at Marshall Forman & Schlein LLC, are here to help with your case. Our skilled attorneys will advise on whether you have a valid claim, advise on collecting the necessary evidence, and give you a realistic evaluation of the chance of a successful outcome. Call us today or contact us online to schedule a meeting with one of our experienced attorneys.