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Wage Claim Lawyer in Texas: Fighting for the Pay You’ve Earned

Every worker deserves to be paid fairly and on time. But in Texas, countless employees experience wage theft in the form of unpaid overtime, withheld wages, or illegal paycheck deductions. Whether your employer “forgot” your last check, denied you overtime, or forced you to work off the clock, you may have a legal right to recover what you’re owed.

Wage claims can be complex and frustrating to handle alone, especially when your employer pushes back. That’s where an experienced wage claim lawyer can help — someone who understands the law, knows how to build a strong case, and fights to hold employers accountable.

In this blog, we’ll cover what wage theft looks like, what rights you have as a Texas worker, and how The Lange Firm in Houston can help you pursue the compensation you’ve rightfully earned.

What Is a Wage Claim?

A wage claim is a legal complaint filed by an employee to recover money they are owed by their employer. This could include:

• Unpaid regular wages

• Overtime pay that was never paid

• Final paychecks that were withheld

• Paycheck deductions that were illegal

• Wages paid below minimum wage

In Texas, wage claims can be filed with the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) or through a private lawsuit—often with the help of a lawyer—under federal laws like the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

Common Types of Wage Theft

Here are some of the most common ways employers cheat workers out of wages:

1. Unpaid Overtime

Under the FLSA, non-exempt employees must be paid 1.5x their regular hourly rate for all hours worked over 40 in a week. If your employer avoids paying you overtime by misclassifying your role or telling you you’re “salaried,” you may still qualify for overtime.

➡️ Example: A warehouse worker in Houston is required to clock out after 8 hours but is then asked to stay late to help load trucks—without extra pay.

2. Forcing Employees to Work Off the Clock

Employers cannot require workers to perform duties before clocking in or after clocking out.

➡️ Example: A fast food employee is told to arrive 15 minutes early to prep stations, but the manager doesn’t let them clock in until the store opens.

3. Withholding Final Paychecks

Texas law requires that an employer provide a final paycheck within six days of termination or the next regular payday if the employee quits. Any delay or refusal can give rise to a wage claim.

➡️ Example: An employer says, “You’ll get your last check once you return your uniform,” but holds the check even after the return is made.

4. Illegal Deductions

Employers are limited in what they can deduct from your paycheck. Deductions for uniforms, damages, or shortages may be illegal unless the employee consents in writing.

➡️ Example: A retail worker’s paycheck is reduced because the drawer came up short—even though the shortage wasn’t their fault.

5. Misclassification of Employees

Some companies misclassify workers as “independent contractors” to avoid paying overtime or minimum wage. This practice is illegal if the worker meets the legal definition of an employee.

➡️ Example: A delivery driver is labeled a contractor but must follow strict schedules, wear a uniform, and use the company’s equipment.

Texas Wage Laws: What Are Your Rights?

Under Texas Labor Code Chapter 61, employers are required to pay wages promptly and in full. Additionally, the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) sets minimum wage and overtime standards for most workers nationwide.

As a Texas employee, you are entitled to:

• Minimum wage: $7.25 per hour (as of 2025; no state-specific minimum)

• Overtime pay: Time and a half for hours worked over 40/week (if non-exempt)

• Timely payment: Regular paydays must be consistent, and final pay must be issued on time

• Protection from retaliation: Employers cannot punish you for asserting your wage rights

How Do You File a Wage Claim in Texas?

You have two main options:

1. File with the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC)

• Must be filed within 180 days of the wage violation

• Free to file, but often limited in scope (can’t pursue damages beyond lost wages)

• May not be suitable for large or complex claims

2. Hire a Wage Claim Lawyer and File a Lawsuit

• Can pursue full unpaid wages plus liquidated damages and attorney fees

• No administrative hurdles like the TWC

• Often more effective for recovering substantial losses

Why You Need a Wage Claim Lawyer

While it’s possible to file a claim on your own, many employees face pushback, denial, or even retaliation when they challenge unpaid wages. An experienced Texas wage claim lawyer can:

• Determine if you have a valid claim

• Calculate exactly how much you are owed (including overtime, interest, penalties)

• Gather and preserve evidence

• File a lawsuit or negotiate a fair settlement

• Protect you from retaliation

• Represent you in court if necessary

Employers often have legal teams on their side—so should you.

The Lange Firm: Houston Wage Claim Lawyers Who Fight for Workers

If you’ve been denied wages, overtime, or your final paycheck, don’t let your employer get away with it. At The Lange Firm, we’re dedicated to helping workers in Houston and across Texas fight back against wage theft and recover the compensation they’re owed.

We’ve helped clients in:

• Retail

• Food service

• Construction

• Healthcare

• Hospitality

• Oil & gas

• And many more industries

Our approach is simple: we listen, we investigate, and we fight. Whether through negotiation or litigation, we pursue maximum recovery for our clients—and we don’t back down from large employers.

👉 Contact The Lange Firm today for a confidential consultation and let us help you take the next step toward justice.

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