Earning a living in today’s economy can be challenging, even under the best conditions. When your employer fails to pay you the money you are entitled to earn under the law, supporting yourself and your family can be impossible. Fortunately, an experienced Cambridge wage theft and overtime pay dispute lawyer can help you recover compensation.
At Duddy, Goodwin & Pollard, we know how difficult it can be to go up against your employer. Our Cambridge labor and employment lawyers will use our vast experience to help you recover the money you need and are never afraid of taking on big corporations. Reach out to us today to set up a free case evaluation with a member of our legal team.
Compensation You Can Recover With the Help of a Wage Theft Lawyer Serving Cambridge, MA
Following financial losses caused by wage theft in Massachusetts, workers have the right to recover damages up to three times the money and benefits they lost as a result of their employer’s misconduct through a lawsuit. Additionally, you may also be able to recover compensation to cover any legal expenses you incurred.
If you were terminated from your position or your employment was changed in any way as a result of your pursuit of compensation, your employer may also be required to reinstate you in your previous position.
A Cambridge wage theft and overtime pay dispute lawyer, will conduct a comprehensive investigation into your case, where they will gather evidence that supports your claim and prove that your employer acted illegally. At Duddy, Goodwin & Pollard, our legal team is prepared to fight to help you recover the compensation you deserve.
For a free legal consultation with a wage theft lawyer serving Cambridge, call (860) 999-9394
The Most Common Wage Disputes Between Workers and Their Employers
A variety of wage disputes can arise between employees and their employers. If you suffered financial losses caused by any form of employer theft, there are options available for recovering damages. Some of the wage violation cases we most commonly handle at our firm include:
- Unpaid overtime
- Misclassification
- Failure to pay the minimum wage
- Withholding payment
Unpaid Overtime
In the United States, a standard work week for a full-time employee is 40 hours. If you work more than 40 hours in a week for a single employer, your pay rate for any additional time worked should be 1.5 times your standard hourly rate.
Unfortunately, many employers attempt to avoid paying this higher rate in various ways. Your employer may try to pay you at your usual rate for additional hours, shift hours worked in one week that exceeds 40 hours to another week, or simply not include the extra hours worked on your paycheck.
If you were not paid properly for overtime hours worked, an experienced Cambridge wage theft and overtime pay dispute lawyer, can help you pursue compensatory damages through a lawsuit.
Misclassification
There are two types of misclassification.
With the first form of misclassification, an employer incorrectly classifies an employee as an independent contractor. Many employers do this to avoid paying certain taxes to the government and benefits to their workers that must be paid for employees. If the law views you as an employee but your employer labels you an independent contractor, you can file a lawsuit.
With the second type of misclassification, employers classify hourly workers as salaried employees to avoid paying them overtime wages.
Failure to Pay the Minimum Wage
Employers must follow all state and federal minimum wage laws when paying their employees. Additionally, some cities have their own minimum wage laws that need to be followed. If your employer paid you at a rate below the minimum wage requirements for the area in which you work, you have the right to file a lawsuit to recover damages.
Withholding Payment
There are many ways in which employers withhold payments due to their workers. Some of the most common types of withholding include:
- Failing to pay employees for any unused vacation time they had earned once their employment has ended
- Refusing to pay commissions earned by employees
- Withholding final paychecks
If your employer withheld money you earned in any manner, an unpaid wages attorney serving Cambridge, MA, can help you recover the compensation you deserve.
Cambridge Wage Theft Lawyer Near Me (860) 999-9394
Some Workers Are More Vulnerable to Wage Theft Than Others
The two groups that employers most frequently target are young workers and undocumented workers. Wage theft against young workers is common because employers know these workers are less likely to fully understand their employment rights than their more seasoned colleagues.
Meanwhile, undocumented workers are often victims of wage theft crimes because employers know these employees are less likely to report their misconduct. However, it’s critical to understand that your right to be paid fairly for the work you perform is not affected by your immigration status.
If you lose your job after reporting wage theft by your employer, a Cambridge workplace retaliation lawyer can help you file a wrongful termination lawsuit.
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Pay Attention to Any Deadlines that May Apply to Your Case
When working to recover damages after losing money because of misconduct by your employer, you must familiarize yourself with any deadlines that apply to your case. The cutoff date for filing a claim will depend on the type of violation that occurred and the specific details of your situation.
The best way to ensure you are aware of any deadlines that apply to your case is by hiring an experienced Cambridge wage theft and overtime pay dispute attorney soon after discovering your employer’s misconduct. Your lawyer can determine the deadline for your case, identify if any exceptions exist that alter the filing deadline, and submit the required paperwork on time.
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Reach Out to an Experienced Wage Theft and Overtime Pay Dispute Attorney in Cambridge Today
After suffering financial losses due to wage theft, hiring an experienced lawyer is the best way to put yourself in a position to recover the money you need and deserve. At Duddy, Goodwin & Pollard, we know how these cases are handled and will work tirelessly to secure fair compensation on your behalf.
Get in touch with us through our website or by giving us a call today and schedule your free case review with a member of our legal staff, and find out more about who we are and the ways in which we can help you.
Call or text (860) 999-9394 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form