Ferraro Vega Employment Lawyers stands up for the rights of workers in Tacoma. When you’re not being paid properly, it puts a heavy strain on your finances–and your relationship with your employer. There’s no requirement for mileage reimbursement in Washington, but you’re still entitled to pay under federal regulations. When this doesn’t happen, we’ll be there to guide you. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Why Would You Need a Lawyer?

If your employer isn’t paying you for mileage or travel costs related to your job, it might seem like a small problem at first. But over time, unpaid mileage can add up and end up costing you a lot of money. Before it gets worse, it’s a good idea to consider your legal options, and that’s where a lawyer can help. Here’s how we can help:

  • Figuring out what you’re owed – We’ll look at your travel records to see how much money you should have been paid for mileage.
  • Negotiating – We’ll contact your employer and try to work out a fair payment without going to court.
  • Taking legal action – If your employer still won’t pay, we’ll help you file a lawsuit to get the unpaid mileage and any other money you’re owed.

Unpaid mileage isn’t just a small issue–it’s money you’ve earned. If your employer isn’t paying you, we’re here to help protect your rights and get you paid.

What Options Do You Have for Unpaid Mileage Claims?

Just because there’s not a law in Tacoma or Washington State that requires mileage reimbursement doesn’t mean you have no right to that wage because there’s federal guidelines. This means you have certain options when your employer doesn’t pay your mileage (or some other type of wage theft.) Every situation is different, but generally, you can do the following:

  • File a Complaint with the WHD – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) handles issues related to unpaid wages. You can file a complaint with them, and if successful, they can require your employer to pay back the unpaid mileage.
  • File a lawsuit – If your employer continues to refuse reimbursement or dismisses your claims, you can file a lawsuit in civil court. We’ll guide you through that process, helping you put together a claim for damages.
  • Class action lawsuit – If other employees are facing the same unpaid mileage issue, you might be able to join a class action lawsuit. This will allow you and your other coworkers to file a lawsuit for the same unpaid mileage.

Like any legal action, the point is to recover damages. When there’s unpaid mileage, it’s generally built around those missed wages, but there’s other things that you can get, depending on the circumstances:

  • Lost wages – You can recover the full amount of unpaid mileage, plus interest, to compensate for the delayed payment.
  • Liquidated damages – You can also recover double the amount owed to penalize your employer and serve as a deterrent against future violations.
  • Other expenses – You can be reimbursed for related costs like tolls, parking, and vehicle maintenance.
  • Attorneys’ fees and costs – If you win, your employer may have to pay your legal fees, reducing your financial burden.
  • Emotional distress – In certain claims, you can get financial support for stress and anxiety caused by unpaid mileage, especially if your employer acted unfairly.

In Washington, you generally have up to three years from the last incident of unpaid mileage to file a claim. Missing this deadline means you can’t file a claim and can’t recover damages.

How Do Unpaid Mileage Claims Happen?

If you use your personal vehicle for your job in Tacoma, you have the legal right to be reimbursed for those miles. While Washington doesn’t have a specific mileage reimbursement law, every employer is expected to follow federal guidelines:

  • 67 cents per mile for work-related driving
  • 21 cents per mile for medical or moving costs (for eligible active-duty military)
  • 14 cents per mile for driving related to charity work

It’s among the most straightforward parts of owning any business–paying your workers fairly for the work they do. Whether it’s on purpose or simply by mistake, not paying you for mileage is against federal regulations. But it can also happen in a few different ways, like:

  • Calling mileage “voluntary” – If driving is part of your job, it’s not optional, and your employer must reimburse you.

  • Paying flat rates – A fixed amount often falls short of covering gas, maintenance, and other driving costs.

  • Misclassifying you – Employers may wrongly label you as an independent contractor to avoid paying mileage, but if you function as an employee, you’re entitled to reimbursement.

  • Claiming your mileage doesn’t qualify – While commuting isn’t reimbursable, travel for meetings, job sites, or other work-related tasks is.

  • Refusing reimbursement – Some employers simply deny paying for mileage, even though it’s legally required.

  • Ignoring requests – Delaying or ignoring mileage reimbursement requests violates your rights and may require legal action to resolve.

It’s incredibly frustrating to be in a situation where you’re not paid for your mileage, especially if you work in certain industries in Tacoma. You work hard every day, and it should go without saying that you deserve to get paid for it. But at the same time, when you do take the step of filing a claim, you have to make sure it’s strong so you can protect your rights.

What Can You Do to Protect Your Claim?

Taking the right steps is pretty difficult when you’re not being paid for your mileage, but it’s not impossible. It can sometimes be difficult to know it’s happening until it’s too late, but you always have the right to file a claim. But once you decide to go forward, here’s how you can protect your rights:

  • Keep detailed records – Track each work-related trip, including dates, destinations, purposes, and miles driven. Using an app or spreadsheet can simplify this process.

  • Document your expenses – Save receipts for tolls, parking, gas, and any other travel-related costs to show the financial impact of your work travel.

  • Save communications and reports – Keep a record of all emails, texts, or written requests regarding mileage reimbursement. These can be critical if your employer ignores or denies your claim.

  • Review your employer’s policies – Check your company’s policy on mileage reimbursement, including any verbal agreements or terms in your employment contract.

  • Get witness statements or join a class action – If coworkers are facing the same issue, their statements can support your claim and may strengthen a potential class action lawsuit.

By organizing your records and understanding your rights, you’ll be better equipped to prove your case.

Contact Ferraro Vega for a Free Consultation on Unpaid Mileage Claims in Tacoma

If your employer isn’t reimbursing you for mileage, you have legal options. At Ferraro Vega Employment Lawyers, we’re committed to helping you recover what you’re owed. Our experienced team will hold your employer accountable and guide you through the claims process. Contact us today for a free consultation to talk about your claim.