How much can I recover in an unpaid wages case in Massachusetts?

The Massachusetts Wage Act allows employees to recover triple damages, meaning three times the amount owed, plus attorney’s fees and costs, if a violation is found.

What if my employer says I am an exempt employee?

Being labeled exempt does not automatically mean you are not owed overtime. Whether an employee is truly exempt depends on their actual job duties and pay, not just their job title.

How long do I have to file an unpaid wages claim?

Massachusetts generally allows three years from the date wages were due to file a claim. It is best to act promptly since evidence and pay records can become harder to obtain over time.

Can my employer fire me for asking about unpaid wages?

No. Retaliation against an employee for raising a wage concern is illegal under Massachusetts law, and can support an additional legal claim.

Does this apply if I am paid in cash or as a 1099 contractor?

It can, depending on whether you were properly classified as an independent contractor in the first place. Misclassified workers are often still owed wage protections under Massachusetts law.

Unpaid Wages

Worcester Unpaid Wages Lawyers
Serving Worcester, Middlesex and Hampden Counties

Massachusetts has some of the strongest wage protection laws in the country, and employers who fail to pay employees what they are owed can face significant consequences. Rudolf, Griffis, Ruggieri & Murray helps employees recover unpaid wages, unpaid overtime, and other compensation they are legally owed.

Whether your employer failed to pay minimum wage, denied you overtime, or withheld your final paycheck, we work to hold employers accountable.

Types Of Wage Violations We Handle

Unpaid or underpaid overtime for hours worked beyond 40 per week.
Minimum wage violations.
Misclassification as exempt to avoid paying overtime.
Unpaid final paychecks after termination or resignation.
Illegal deductions from wages.

Massachusetts Wage Act Protections

The Massachusetts Wage Act requires employers to pay employees on time and in full, and it allows employees to recover triple damages and attorney’s fees if an employer violates the law. This makes Massachusetts wage claims particularly strong compared to many other states.

We help clients calculate what they are owed, file the necessary claims, and pursue the full compensation available under Massachusetts law.

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