
When your employer fails to compensate you as required by law, you may have the right to take legal action against them. Filing an employment law claim for unpaid wages may be in your best interests if you hope to seek legal recourse and recover the compensation that is rightfully yours. However, when considering your legal options, it is essential to remember that the average settlement for unpaid wages can vary widely depending on the specifics of each case.
Furthermore, the amount of compensation you win in an unpaid wage claim is based on too many specific factors for a settlement payout. Factors such as overtime hours, minimum wage violations, and rest breaks play a significant role in determining the settlement amount.
Additionally, your employment law attorney can educate you about the wage claim process and the next steps to take. Also, your employment lawyer can help you review your damages to determine your claim’s worth and how much you could expect to recover. When you do not have time to wait for your settlement, consider contacting High Rise Financial for a pre-settlement lawsuit loan.
There Is No Average Settlement for Unpaid Wages
Independent contractors and employees alike may file a wage claim to address issues like unpaid overtime and payment of wages. Although you may be looking for answers as to how much compensation you could expect to recover as part of your unpaid wage claim, too many factors are at play that make it impossible for an average unpaid wage settlement.
The average would combine the lowest settlement pay house and the higher settlement payouts to determine the average anticipated settlement. However, due to extreme wage fluctuations, an average settlement is impossible.
But your attorney can help you determine how much compensation you could win in your unpaid wages settlement. By reviewing how your life has been affected by your loss of income, the amount of income you earned, and other factors, you can determine how much your settlement could be worth.
To apply for free, call (877) 735-0016
To apply for free, call (877) 735-0016
Filing A Claim for Unpaid Wages
When employees face wage theft, filing a claim and seeking a settlement for unpaid wages can help them recover what they are rightfully owed. However, the statute of limitations and hour laws are crucial in determining the timeframe within which a claim must be filed. Hence, understanding these legal aspects can help employees navigate the complexities of employment law claims and achieve a favorable outcome.
Wage Claims for Rest Breaks and Meal Breaks
Under labor laws, employees are entitled to rest breaks and meal breaks. If these breaks are not provided, employees may file a wage claim. An experienced employment lawyer can help navigate the complexities of hour laws and labor laws to ensure fair compensation.
Wage Claims for Unpaid Overtime
Claims for unpaid overtime often involve understanding the overtime law and overtime rates. Employees must track their overtime hours and ensure they are paid the correct hourly rate for any extra work. The Wage and Hour Division of the Department of Labor can provide additional guidance on these matters.
Wage Claims for Independent Contractors
Independent contractors face unique challenges when filing wage claims. Unlike traditional employees, they may not be covered under the same hour laws and federal labor laws. Nonetheless, they can still pursue legal claims for unpaid wages, especially if misclassified.
Wage Claims for Minimum Wage Violations
Violations of the federal minimum wage can lead to substantial settlements. Employees who are paid below the minimum wage requirements have the right to file claims to recover the difference between their actual pay and the legal minimum wage.
Additionally, hiring an employment attorney is crucial for handling employment law claims, including unpaid wage claims. These legal professionals can guide you through the wage claim process, ensuring all necessary claim forms and paper forms are filed correctly and on time.
Factors that Determine What Your Settlement Is Worth
Multiple factors influence the compensation you could win in your unpaid wages claim. These include:
- Your wage-related losses
- Whether you had medical expenses
- The impact of your non-economic damages
- Whether punitive damages are expected
Your Wage-Related Losses
When you file a claim for unpaid wages, you have the right to compensation for every loss. In addition to the income you missed out on when you were wrongfully terminated or otherwise not paid for the hours you worked, you also have the right to compensation for other types of wage-related losses. These might include:
- Your loss of employer-provided health insurance
- Your loss of employer-provided retirement savings contributions
- Loss of your paid time off
- Loss of vacation pay
- Loss of sick time
- Loss of potential future earnings
- Diminished earning capacity
Furthermore, when you have been denied the wages you deserve and potentially wrongfully terminated if your professional reputation has been destroyed, your lawyer may also recover compensation for these losses.
Medical Expenses
If you had to take time off work due to an injury and were not paid for the hours you worked before the incident, or you require ongoing physical therapy or mental health counseling due to employment law violations, you may have the right to compensation for your medical expenses.
This does not only include the cost of a hospital stay and ongoing medical treatment. You are also entitled to compensation for things like:
- Transportation costs
- Medical co-pays
- Prescription medications
- Medical devices and equipment
- Future medical care
Non-Economic Damages
In addition to the financial losses you have experienced after your employment dispute, you are entitled to restitution for certain non-economic damages. These do not have a specific monetary value, but that does not mean that they are not worth something.
Your attorney will go over the emotional trauma you experienced, the impact your lost income had on your credit report and score, and your inability to live your life normally when calculating the value of your claim. Since non-economic damages are subjective, their value can vary widely on a case-by-case basis.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are not a loss you are entitled to recover when you file a claim for unpaid wages. However, if the court system determines that the defendant’s contact was intentional, despicable, or grossly negligent, your settlement may be increased to punish the liable party for their actions.
Punitive damages are awarded to discourage other parties from engaging in similar conduct in the future and punish the defendant for their wrongful acts.
How to Get an Advance on Your Unpaid Wages Settlement
When dealing with an unpaid wages claim, you do not have time to wait for your case to be resolved. If you were wrongfully terminated and are not currently earning a living, you may find yourself in particular need of financial support.
If your current monthly expenses are unpaid, you could wind up in foreclosure, having accounts sent to debt collectors, and in financial ruin. Thankfully, when you contact High Rise Financial, you do not need to face such extreme economic instability.
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How Lawsuit Loans Work
Lawsuit loans may seem like a solution that is too good to be true, but with High Rise Financial, this is not the case. We get you in advance on your anticipated unpaid wage settlement without compound interest.
Then, once your settlement funds come in, you repay your loan. Our loans are non-recourse, so you only have to worry about paying us back if we win your case. You will not be expected to repay your loan if we do not win. This is similar to how your attorney’s contingency agreement works.
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Contact High Rise Financial for Pre-Settlement Legal Funding Today
If you are interested in applying for an advance on your unpaid wage settlement but need help finding where to turn for help, feel free to contact our compassionate and experienced loan specialists at High Rise Financial.
You can access a portion of your unpaid wage settlement ahead of time by obtaining a lawsuit loan. Learn more about how pre-settlement funding works and whether you qualify when you fill out our online application, complete our quick contact form, or call our office.
Call or text (877) 735-0016 or fill out our form to apply today for free.
Call or text (877) 735-0016 or fill out our form to apply today for free.