Seattle Unpaid Wages Lawyer

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Ferraro Vega Employment Lawyers helps Washington workers when their rights are violated. No matter what job you have in Seattle, you can fall victim to unlawful employment practices, especially those involving your pay. Unpaid wage claims vary widely, but our experienced team will be there to support you through the claims process. Don’t wait–contact us today for a free consultation.

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Why Would You Need a Lawyer?

Washington has clear laws on how workers should be paid and treated, known as wage and hour laws. These include rights like overtime pay, minimum wage, timely final paychecks after leaving a job, meal and rest breaks, workers’ compensation, and proper job classification. If your employer breaks these rules, you have certain legal options for getting your rightful pay and whatever you’ve lost.

However, you might be wondering if you even need a lawyer. It’s not required, but having our team can really help. Here’s how we approach these claims:

Understanding the law – Wage and hour laws can be complicated, and our lawyers can help explain your rights.
Guidance – Our team can help you file your claim, making sure you meet deadlines and present a strong case.
Collecting evidence – We can help gather necessary evidence like pay stubs, timesheets, and contracts to support your claim.
Negotiation skills – We have extensive experience in negotiating with employers or their legal representatives for a fair settlement.
Court action – If the case goes to court, our lawyers will represent you, bettering your chances of success.
Protecting you – Legal support can help make sure that your employer doesn’t retaliate against you for filing a claim.

Again, you don’t have to hire a lawyer if you’re not paid correctly. But this is also a pretty stressful process–despite the fact that the law is on your side. Our team wants to make things easier for you and your family, while holding your employer accountable.

Which Workers in Seattle Most Often Face Unpaid Wages?

It’s unfortunate, but certain workers are more likely to experience unpaid wages due to the nature of their jobs and industries in Seattle. At the same time, any worker can fall victim to unpaid wages and other violations. Most of the time, it’s workers in the following industries:

Retail and service industry – Workers in retail stores, restaurants, and other service sectors may be required to work off the clock, skip breaks, or perform extra duties without pay.

Construction – Construction workers often face unpaid wages when they are required to wait for work, travel between job sites, or work outside of their regular hours without compensation.

Healthcare – Nurses, aides, and other healthcare staff may face issues with unpaid wages if they are asked to work during breaks or attend meetings or training sessions outside their scheduled shifts without pay.

Warehouse workers – Workers handling shipments, inventory, or equipment may experience unpaid pre-shift or post-shift work, such as setting up or cleaning.

Temporary and seasonal workers – Temporary and seasonal workers are sometimes misclassified or not paid for all their hours worked due to the temporary nature of their jobs.

Unpaid wages can affect any hourly worker in Seattle, and it’s vital to know that you have rights under Washington law. More to the point though, you have to know how you respond and what you can do legally when this happens to you.

How Might You Experience Unpaid Wages?

You might think that a situation where you’re not paid your full wages–or at all–may not happen to you. Unfortunately, though, this is something that can happen to you or other workers very easily. What’s worse, it can also be rather difficult to know it’s happening, unless you pay close attention to your paycheck. Regardless, though, it’s important to look at how this situation happens:

Working “off the clock” – If you’re asked to work before or after your scheduled shift without pay, this is illegal under Washington law, and you may have a legal claim for those unpaid hours.

Travel time – If you’re required to travel between work sites or for work-related purposes during your shift, that time should be paid. Unpaid travel time can be claimed as unpaid wages.
Waiting – If you’re made to wait for work-related tasks, like waiting for a customer or delivery, and you’re not paid for that waiting time, it can be considered unpaid work, which you may be able to recover through legal action.

Training – If you’re required to attend training or meetings outside your regular work hours without compensation, that time is considered unpaid and can be claimed.

Before and after your shift – Time spent changing into work clothes, setting up equipment, or cleaning up at the end of your shift may also be compensable, depending on the circumstances.
Missed lunch or rest breaks – Employers in Washington are required to provide meal and rest breaks. If you’re forced to work through your breaks, you may be able to recover additional pay for that time.

Misclassification – If your employer wrongly classifies you as an independent contractor or “exempt” worker to avoid paying overtime or other benefits, you have legal options to address this misclassification.

Regardless of the circumstances, you have rights to fight back against your employer not paying you correctly. This means taking legal action, which can bring its own set of challenges.

What Are Your Legal Options for Unpaid Wage Claims?

Dealing with unpaid wages can be stressful and impact your finances and family life. Luckily, there are legal steps you can take if you’re not being paid fairly or are forced to work without proper pay. Your options include:

File a Complaint with the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I)– One effective step is to file a complaint with L&I. This is the state agency responsible for enforcing labor laws, investigating wage claims, and if successful, they can order your employer to pay any unpaid wages.

File a civil lawsuit – You also have the option to take legal action by filing a lawsuit against your employer for the unpaid wages. With guidance from our team, you can file a Complaint in civil court and can recover “damages.”

Class action lawsuit – If your employer’s wage violations have impacted other employees as well, you may be eligible to join a class action lawsuit. This allows a group of employees to collectively pursue their employer for the same unpaid wages.

These legal options help you fight back against unpaid wages and work toward recovering damages. In most unpaid wage claims, potential recoverable damages may include:

Unpaid or lost wages with interest
Liquidated damages (which may double the amount of lost wages)
Compensation for unpaid meal or rest breaks or waiting time
Reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses
Attorneys’ fees
Emotional distress damages

Trying to file a claim for unpaid wages takes courage. Standing up to your employer in court–or in the claims process–requires building a strong claim and acting quickly. In Seattle, you generally have three years from the last unpaid incident to file a claim. Missing this deadline means you might lose your chance to pursue your claim outright.

What Can You Do To Strengthen Your Claim?

You might think it’s easy to prove unpaid wages. After all, you were either paid or you weren’t. But in reality, it can sometimes be difficult to even know that you’re not being paid correctly. It can take a close look at your financial situation, but more to the point, there’s things you can do to strengthen a claim:

Keep records – Track your hours worked, pay stubs, and any payment issues like missed wages or unpaid overtime.
Save communications – Hold onto any emails or texts from your employer related to your pay.
Understand your rights – Make sure you know your rights under Washington wage and hour laws.
Talk to your employer – Try discussing the issue with your employer or HR department first. Resolving it internally can avoid a claim process.

If your employer doesn’t resolve the issue, remember that you have further legal options to make sure you’re paid what you’re owed. And again, you can rely on our team for guidance and support the whole way.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have an unpaid wage claim?

It depends. Every hourly worker in Seattle has certain rights to payment. If your employer doesn’t pay you overtime, makes you work through your lunch break, or something similar, you might have a case. Our team can advise you from there

What should I do if I’m not paid correctly in Seattle?

Keep records of everything, like hours worked, pay stubs, and any communication about your pay. Try talking to your employer or HR to solve the issue directly. If that doesn’t work, our team can guide you through the next steps.

How long do I have to file an unpaid wage claim in Washington?

Generally, you have up to three years from the date of the unpaid wages.

Contact Ferraro Vega for Unpaid Wages in Seattle

Dealing with unpaid wages or incorrect pay can be overwhelming and stressful. At Ferraro Vega, our team of Seattle employment lawyers is here to help you understand your legal rights and hold employers accountable under Washington law. Contact us today for a free consultation and take the first step toward recovering the pay you’re owed.