Wage Dispute Lawyers in Texas
Fighting for Texan Workers in Every Field
Wage theft is believed to be the most common type of theft crime in the United States — and it doesn’t just happen in jobs that use a “cash-under-the-table” system. Workers across all industries and pay levels can be victims of wage violations, whether through unpaid overtime, withheld tips, off-the-clock work, misclassification as independent contractors, etc.
At Fertitta & Givens in Texas, we represent only workers in wage dispute lawsuits. We never defend corporations or employers. Our firm is here to protect your rights and pursue every dollar you’re owed, no matter who signs your paycheck or what industry you work in.
If you believe you’ve been denied fair pay, don’t stay silent. We’re ready to stand up and fight for you. Dial (346) 258-5803 and request a no-cost case review now.
What Is a Wage Dispute?
A wage dispute happens when an employer fails to pay a worker the wages they’ve legally earned. In some contexts, the term “wage violation” might be used instead.
Wage disputes or violations can take many forms, including:
- Unpaid wages or hours
- Failure to pay overtime (time-and-a-half)
- Paying less than the minimum wage
- Requiring off-the-clock work
- Withholding earned commissions, bonuses, or tips
- Misclassifying workers as “independent contractors”
- Paycheck deductions for time or supplies you didn’t agree to
Such violations can affect any worker, including hourly or salaried, full-time or part-time, tipped or non-tipped. They can occur in restaurants, construction sites, offices, warehouses, salons, medical settings, schools, tech companies, and more. No workplace is immune to wage violations. No matter where you work in Texas, if you haven’t been paid fairly, we’re here to help.
Your Rights Under Federal & Texas Law
Both federal and Texas laws protect workers from wage violations. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) sets national standards for minimum wage, overtime, and classification. In Texas, the Texas Payday Law helps workers recover unpaid wages by granting them the ability to file a wage claim with the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC).
Common wage disputes and violations include:
- Unpaid overtime: If you work more than 40 hours in a week, you’re generally entitled to overtime, regardless of whether you’re salaried or hourly.
- Minimum wage violations: Texas follows the federal minimum wage, but employers often skirt these laws with deductions, “tip credits,” or pay misreporting.
- Off-the-clock work: Employers cannot legally ask or instruct you to work before or after your shift without paying you.
- Retaliation: It's illegal for an employer to fire or punish you for asking about or reporting wage violations.
Signs You May Have a Wage Violation Claim
You might have the grounds to file a wage violation claim or lawsuit if:
- You’re expected to work more than 40 hours a week without overtime pay
- You’re paid less than the minimum wage after tips or deductions
- You’re asked to show up early or stay late without pay
- You’re classified as an “independent contractor” but work like an employee
- Your employer won’t give you a breakdown of your pay
- You were fired or punished after asking about your wages
How Fertitta & Givens Can Help
When you contact our Texas wage dispute attorneys, we start by listening. We can review your pay records, your work history, and your experience. Then we can explain your legal options, whether that’s sending a demand letter, filing a claim with the Texas Workforce Commission, or pursuing a civil lawsuit in court.
We have the experience and resources needed to handle:
- Individual lawsuits for unpaid wages
- Overtime and minimum wage cases
- Misclassification claims
- Retaliation and wrongful termination related to wage complaints
- Multi-worker wage claims or mass torts, if many employees are affected by the same employer
Whether your dispute involves a few hundred dollars or years of underpayment, we treat every case with the seriousness it deserves.
What You May Be Able to Recover
In many wage dispute cases, you can demand more than just unpaid wages. Instead, you can pursue various damages to undo your losses and potentially penalize the employer for wrongdoing.
Depending on the facts of your case, we may be able to seek compensation related to:
- Unpaid wages and overtime
- Double damages (called “liquidated damages”) under federal law
- Interest on unpaid wages
- Attorney’s fees and legal costs
- Punitive damages in cases of egregious employer conduct
Time Limits Apply — Don’t Wait to Take Action
Texas and federal law set strict deadlines for filing wage claims:
- 2 years under the FLSA (most cases)
- 3 years if the violation was willful (rare cases)
- Other timelines may apply depending on your situation
Don’t wait until it’s too late to recover what you’re owed. The sooner we can evaluate your case, the sooner you can gain a sense of relief in knowing that real legal professionals are here to help.
Workers Across Texas Choose Us – Call to Learn Why
Texan workers trust our wage dispute lawyers because:
- We only represent workers, never corporations or employers.
- We bring an aggressive, results-driven approach to every case.
- We’re skilled in both individual representation and mass tort litigation when necessary.
- We handle all industries, including hospitality, retail, health care, oil and gas, education, construction, and professional services.
- We take wage theft personally — and we never back down.
If your employer isn’t paying you fairly, you have the right to take action and our legal team is ready to help. Fertitta & Givens offers free, confidential consultations to workers across Texas. We don’t charge any legal fees unless we recover money for you, so it is simple and highly affordable to start exploring your legal options.
Want to start a wage dispute lawsuit? Call (346) 258-5803 at any time.
