Ferraro Vega Employment Lawyers proudly supports the Washington State workforce and wants to protect their interests when employers try to rob them of income. This can include the refusal to fully pay for mileage claims. If this has happened to you and you want to know how to get the money you are owed, contact us for a free case consultation.
Let’s go over how to hold your employer financially accountable for everything that’s been denied. In some cases, there are ways to receive more than you are owed for your unreimbursed time on the road for work.
How Do I Know If I Need a Lawyer to Collect Unpaid Mileage Claims?
It’s a good idea to speak to a skilled Washington Unpaid Wage Lawyer when you feel your issues with unpaid mileage and travel aren’t being taken seriously by your employer. If your company seems to have decided to ignore your complaints, it’s probably time to bring in a lawyer to protect your rights.
You may need a lawyer’s help if these are factors in your case:
- If your mileage wage loss has grown to a substantial sum, consult with a lawyer
- If your case is complex, consult with a lawyer
- If your case will require a lot of investigative work, consult with a lawyer
- If your employer will be fighting the claim, you should consult with a lawyer
- If your employer involves corporate lawyers to oppose your case, consult a lawyer
- If your employer is hinting that you could lose your job or be demoted if you don’t drop your case, contact a lawyer
- If you feel you may have to file a lawsuit to secure the money that’s yours, consult with a lawyer
A large, faceless corporation may not care about the time you spend in a vehicle and the costs to travel on behalf of your employer. However, these expenses can become large financial burdens for you and your family. Allow a Ferraro Vega attorney to represent you for your case, so you can focus on work and family without financial worries.
How Can I Force My Employer to Reimburse Me for Mileage and Travel?
Washington State doesn’t have any laws regulating pay to employees for their mileage while driving for work purposes.
But your time on the road in your vehicle while on the clock can put wear and tear on your car, add to the odometer, and hit you in the wallet when you buy gas or purchase tires. If you put in a mileage claim, expecting to be reimbursed, only to be denied, it can lead to a sudden money crunch.
Washington State may not protect workers when they must demand fair payment for mileage, but victims can take their companies to court.
The driving force behind a work mileage case would be the employer’s policies or the rules laid out in a labor contract. If your employer didn’t compensate you at the agreed-upon terms for using your vehicle for work, then a lawsuit could be filed. You could also take an employer to small claims court.
When taking your company to court, your attorney could research your employer’s terms and conditions in regards to your employment and reimbursement for travel. Your lawyer could also officially request work documents that help prove your case. These papers might be more difficult to obtain for someone without legal experience.
You can visit our legal guide to find out when Washington Employers must pay you for the time you spend traveling for your job.
Do Federal Laws Help Me When My Mileage Claim at Work Is Denied?
Federal Law also doesn’t guarantee mileage reimbursement specifically, but labor laws would apply if mileage expenses dropped a worker’s income below minimum wage.
The employer would face penalties if that money wasn’t returned to the employee in a reasonable amount of time.
Mileage can be claimed as a federal tax deduction.
The standard mileage rates for 2025 are:
- Self-employed and business: 70 cents/mile
- Charities: 14 cents/mile
- Medical: 21 cents/mile
- Moving (military only): 21 cents/mile
Contact a Washington Unpaid Wage Lawyer Today
If your employer isn’t reimbursing you for the wear and tear on your vehicle and the gas you pay for, you have legal rights that need to be protected. At Ferraro Vega Employment Lawyers, we’re here to help you make sure you get paid. We take up the fight until you receive what you are owed. We help victims of wage theft in Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma, and across Washington State. We help victims regardless of their immigration status. Labor laws are in place to help everyone.
At the same time, we safeguard your job security and shield you from any retaliation from employers. Our legal team knows the city, state, and U.S. labor laws well. We work hard to hold your employer accountable. Don’t wait–contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
