If you’re having trouble getting the compensation you deserve, it can have serious consequences. But unpaid wages can be even more complicated. When most people think of problems with unpaid wages, they only think about not getting the money they need to pay bills.
Not only does unpaid wages mean you don't get the money you worked for, but it can also have tax ramifications when tax season comes around. You don't get the proper documents with the correct information from your employer because they mismarked certain payments during the wrong pay period or marked overtime as bonuses.
What is an Unpaid Wages Lawyer?
A North Carolina unpaid wages attorney is someone who helps people when their employer has violated state or federal law. Specific laws apply to situations like how much you should be paid, when you should be paid, and for what tasks. If any of these laws are violated, and you need to seek compensation, that's where a lawyer for unpaid wages in North Carolina steps in.
What Does an Unpaid Wages Attorney Do?
An unpaid wages attorney can represent you when you fulfilled your job duties during a given pay period, but your employer did not abide by wage and hour laws. The best unpaid wages lawyer in North Carolina will file a claim with their client’s employer or sue them over things like unpaid overtime. Overtime lawyers can also help when you work overtime, and you should be given time and a half compensation according to state and federal laws, but your employer refuses.
When to Hire an Unpaid Wages Lawyer in North Carolina
You should consider higher a North Carolina unpaid wages lawyer if you have a problem with:
- Your employer is not paying the legal minimum wage.
- You need to file an unpaid wage claim.
- Your workplace compensation violates federal or state law.
- Your employer has not paid the overtime wages you are due.
- You need an employment lawyer to help you recover compensation for wage violations.
- You are an independent contractor and need help recovering unpaid wages.
How to Find a Lawyer for Unpaid Wages
There are several ways to find an overtime attorney:
- You can use the American Bar Association to search for the right attorney in your area. Certain legal specialties have their certification groups. The American Bar Association can help you find those certification groups to select an attorney that specializes in the legal area you need.
- You can utilize state resources where you live to find qualified attorneys in your area.
- You can even contact local courthouses or legal aid facilities to ask for referrals.
How Do I Choose an Unpaid Wages Attorney in North Carolina?
There are many ways to choose your unpaid wages attorney. Start by finding an attorney you trust and one you can afford. There are multiple fees for different attorneys, and some fee structures might be better for you than others. You also want someone you know will communicate with you regularly and keep you up to date on your case.
Location
The most important factor when hiring an unpaid wages layer is their location. State law differs from one state to another, so finding someone who is operating from your state in your area means you have a higher likelihood of that attorney being familiar with your state’s laws. You don't necessarily want an unpaid wages attorney who only has experience operating in Ohio if you live in North Carolina.
Breakdown of Practice
Look into the breakdown of their practice. You might have some attorneys that handle 25% wrongful termination cases, 50% unpaid wages, and 25% percent "other." Most lawyers don't have certifications in their specialty. However, they can still be experts in their field, especially if they handle a high volume of cases related to unpaid wages.
How Much Does the Unpaid Wages Lawyer Average Cost North Carolina?
The cost varies depending on the type of work, the experience level of the attorney representing you, the amount of work involved, and more.
You can expect an average hourly rate of around $300 for a lawyer. But the lawyer isn't the only person who works on your case. They typically delegate tasks to paralegals, legal assistants, or secretaries. The average hourly fee for a paralegal is around $100, and the hourly fee for a legal assistant or a secretary is much less.
During a consultation, you can discuss whether the law firm representing you charges a flat fee or an hourly fee.
- If they charge an hourly fee, they bill you for a set amount of time, tracking the hours in six-minute increments and billing you for all expenses related to your case. The downside here is that you don't necessarily know the total cost.
- You usually pay a specific amount upfront if they charge a flat fee. They might negotiate that you pay a retainer upfront, followed by monthly payments. In this situation, you know exactly how much your legal service will cost. The attorney doesn't have to keep track of every six minutes they spend on your case and invest time billing you monthly.
- You might also have a situation where they charge a percentage of the settlements, so you only have to pay if you get your unpaid wages back.
Do Unpaid Wages Attorneys Usually Charge for Consultations?
Most of the time unpaid wages attorneys do not charge for consultations. You can discuss this with the attorney or their office before you schedule a consultation.
