Lakewood Wage Theft Attorney

Wage theft is a tort, or wrongful act, that can result in a worker in Lakewood, Ohio being paid less than he or she deserves for work completed. At Scott & Winters Law Firm, LLC, we believe workers deserve to be paid fairly for their efforts. We can help you recover wages that were unlawfully withheld from you by an employer in Lakewood. Contact us for a free case consultation to learn more about your legal rights and options.

Why Choose the Cleveland Wage Theft Attorneys at Scott & Winters Law Firm, LLC?

• Our wage theft lawyers in Cleveland have over 35 years of experience protecting the rights of wronged employees in Ohio. We can help you take on any employer, from a local business to a Fortune 500 company.
• Our past case results speak for themselves. We have successfully collected millions of dollars in settlements and judgment awards on behalf of our clients.
• We offer our clients the highest quality legal services and always stay up to date about the latest wage and hour laws in Ohio.

Are You a Victim of Wage Theft?

Wage theft refers to the illegal underpayment or nonpayment of wages that a worker is entitled to by state and federal labor laws. Wage theft can occur unintentionally by a careless employer or intentionally by a business that wants to maximize its profits by illegally stealing from its workers. Either way, a victim of wage theft in Lakewood has the right to file a civil claim in pursuit of financial damages.

Common Examples of Wage Theft in Ohio

Wage theft can be committed in numerous ways, many of which are not immediately obvious to the workers who are being underpaid. Employers in Ohio can take advantage of employees who may not fully understand their legal rights under labor laws.

Depriving workers of the earnings they are rightfully owed can occur in many ways, including:

• Paying workers less than the legally mandated minimum wage ($10.45 in Ohio as of 2024).
• Failing to pay workers a rate of time-and-a-half for all hours worked over 40 per week.
• Requiring off-the-clock work without compensation.
• Denying pay or not properly compensating workers for meal and rest breaks.
• Misappropriating tips that legally belong to tipped service employees.
• Taking illegal deductions from a worker’s wages.
• Committing fraud by falsifying payroll records to underpay employees.
• Misclassifying employees as independent contractors to give them fewer benefits.

In addition, some workers who suffer from wage theft in Lakewood face retaliation for coming forward with complaints about hour or wage law violations. Retaliation refers to adverse employment action taken against a worker for reporting legal violations to the employer or a federal organization.

Is Your Employer Underpaying You? Contact Us Today

If you are dealing with wage theft in Lakewood, go to your employer to report the issue. It may be a clerical error or misunderstanding that can be cleared up without needing to take further action. If your employer still refuses to provide fair pay, however, bring your case to the Lakewood wage and hour lawyers at Scott & Winters Law Firm, LLC for assistance. We will review your case for free and explain your rights as a wronged worker in Ohio. 

If we decide to represent you, we can advocate for your best interests during settlement negotiations or a wage theft lawsuit. Our Cleveland wage theft lawyers will fight on your behalf to collect fair compensation for the wages that you are rightfully owed. This may include back pay, or wages that your employer never gave you for work completed, as well as additional interest, penalties and compensation for your legal costs. 

Discuss your legal options and the potential value of your wage theft claim with one of our attorneys today. Contact us online or call (216) 912-2221 to find out how we can help you.