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Wage and Hour Attorneys in Texas: What They Do and When to Call One

Getting shorted on your paycheck isn’t just frustrating—it’s illegal. Whether you’re missing overtime, not paid for all hours worked, or dealing with illegal deductions, you have the right to fair compensation. But when employers bend or break wage laws, it’s time to call in the experts.

That’s where wage and hour attorneys come in. These lawyers specialize in helping workers like you fight back, recover lost wages, and hold employers accountable for wage violations.

Here’s what wage and hour lawyers do, how they can help, and what to expect if you’re considering legal action.

What Are Wage and Hour Laws?

Wage and hour laws are designed to protect employees’ rights to fair pay. In Texas, these laws come from both federal and state sources:

✅ The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)

A federal law that sets standards for:

• Minimum wage
  
  
• Overtime pay (1.5x pay after 40 hours/week)
  
  
• Recordkeeping
  
  
• Child labor
  
  

✅ Texas Payday Law

A state law enforced by the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) that:

• Regulates wage payment timing
  
  
• Protects against unauthorized paycheck deductions
  
  
• Requires final paychecks to be issued on time
  
  

Together, these laws help ensure that you’re paid fairly and on time.

What Do Wage and Hour Attorneys Do?

Wage and hour attorneys focus exclusively on legal issues related to employee compensation. They can help you:

• Investigate wage violations
  
  
• File complaints with the TWC or Department of Labor
  
  
• Recover unpaid wages, overtime, bonuses, or commissions
  
  
• Challenge misclassification as an independent contractor or exempt employee
  
  
• Pursue class actions for group wage violations
  
  
• Defend against retaliation if you’ve been punished for speaking up
  
  

They understand both the letter of the law and how to negotiate effectively with employers or represent you in court.

Common Wage Violations in Texas

If you’ve experienced any of the following, it’s time to speak to a wage and hour lawyer:

• You’re not paid for all the hours you work
  
  
• You’re required to work off-the-clock
  
  
• You don’t receive overtime for working over 40 hours/week
  
  
• You’re misclassified as “exempt” or as a contractor to avoid overtime
  
  
• Your employer deducts pay for breaks, uniforms, tools, or damages
  
  
• Your tips or service charges are withheld
  
  
• You never received your final paycheck
  
  

📉 These may seem minor, but they often add up to thousands of dollars in lost wages.

Industries Where Wage Theft Is Common

While wage violations can happen anywhere, they are especially common in:

• Food service and hospitality
  
  
• Retail and call centers
  
  
• Construction and manual labor
  
  
• Healthcare and caregiving
  
  
• Transportation and delivery
  
  
• Contract or freelance roles
  
  

Even salaried professionals like paralegals, compliance workers, and junior attorneys may be eligible for unpaid overtime.

Who Can File a Wage Claim?

Anyone working for a private employer in Texas may be protected under wage laws—including:

• Full-time and part-time employees
  
  
• Temporary or seasonal workers
  
  
• Tipped employees
  
  
• Undocumented workers (yes, they have wage rights too)
  
  
• Independent contractors (if misclassified)
  
  

⚖️ If you’re unsure whether you’re eligible, a wage and hour lawyer can help determine your classification and rights.

What Can You Recover With a Lawyer’s Help?

A successful wage and hour claim can result in:

Some workers recover thousands or tens of thousands in unpaid wages, especially if the violations occurred over time or involved groups of employees.

What’s the Deadline to File a Wage Claim?

There are strict deadlines for taking legal action:

• 180 days to file with the Texas Workforce Commission
  
  
• 2–3 years for federal FLSA violations, depending on the case
  
  
• 4 years for breach of written wage contracts
  
  

⏳ Don’t wait—delaying could mean losing your right to recover your wages.

Can You Be Fired for Suing Your Employer?

No. It is illegal for an employer to retaliate against you for:

• Asking about your pay
  
  
• Filing a wage complaint
  
  
• Talking to coworkers about wage violations
  
  
• Consulting a lawyer or joining a lawsuit
  
  

If you are demoted, harassed, or terminated after raising a wage issue, you may also have a retaliation claim—which can bring even more compensation.

How The Lange Firm Helps Texas Workers

At The Lange Firm, we’ve helped countless workers across Texas recover the pay they’ve earned. We provide:

• Free consultations to review your wage issue
  
  
• No up-front costs—you only pay if we win
  
  
• Aggressive legal representation for unpaid wage claims
  
  
• Protection from retaliation and wrongful termination
  
  

Whether you’re owed a few hundred dollars or tens of thousands, we’re ready to fight for your paycheck.

📞 Call The Lange Firm today and let us help you take back what’s yours.

Final Thoughts

You work hard—and the law says you should be paid fairly for every hour of it. If your employer is cutting corners or violating wage laws, a wage and hour attorney can help you make it right.

✅ Don’t settle for less. Know your rights and get the pay