Unpaid Wage Lawyers in Garden City, NY 

Wage Theft Is Illegal: Fight for the Pay You Deserve 

You work hard, put in your hours, and then—your paycheck doesn’t match up. Maybe your employer’s cutting corners. Maybe they’re outright breaking the law. Either way, it’s unfair, and you shouldn’t have to deal with it.  

The Garden City employment law attorneys at Horn Wright, LLP, are here to help when your rights are violated. Our legal team has years of experience fighting for workers’ rights in New York. You’ve earned the right to have one of the best law firms in America at your side to protect and pursue your rights. 

What’s Really Behind Unpaid Wage Cases? 

Unpaid wage cases happen when an employer doesn’t pay you what they owe. It could be hourly pay, overtime, tips, or even commissions. Whatever the excuse, it’s not right. And here in New York, laws like the Fair Labor Standards Act and New York Labor Law are there to make sure you get what you’re due. 

In a place like Garden City—home to big companies, small businesses, and everything in between—wage theft isn’t unheard of. But just because it’s common doesn’t mean you should accept it. Our labor lawyers fight for victims of improper employer practices throughout New York.  

Are You a Victim of Wage Theft? Here’s How to Tell. 

Wage theft can sneak up on you. Sometimes, it’s obvious—your paycheck’s short, or you’re missing entire payments. But other times, it’s hidden behind shady tactics, like messing with time records or unfairly classifying your role. Here’s what to watch out for: 

• Unpaid overtime: Working over 40 hours a week but not seeing that extra 1.5x pay? That’s a major red flag. The New York laws regarding overtime are crystal clear—overtime pay is a must for non-exempt workers. 
• Illegal paycheck deductions: Has your employer taken money for uniforms, tools, or "mistakes" without asking? They can’t do that unless you’ve agreed in writing under the deduction from wages law. 
• Minimum wage violations: As of 2025, New York’s minimum wage is $15 an hour for most employers. If you’re making less, that’s wage theft—plain and simple. 

Sound familiar? You’re not alone, and you don’t have to face this by yourself. Horn Wright, LLP, is ready to help you fight back today. 

The Hard Truth About Wage Law Violations 

Here’s something that might shock you: a lot of employers know exactly what they’re doing when they break the rules. They’re betting you won’t notice—or won’t speak up and contact the Garden City employment lawyers at Horn Wright, LLP, if you do. 

Take these examples: 

• Not paying for all hours worked: Maybe you’re setting up for your shift before clocking in, or you’re closing up shop after clocking out. That’s time you should be paid for under the frequency of payments law. 
• Skipping breaks: New York law says you’re entitled to a 30-minute break if you work more than six hours. If you’re not getting it, that’s a violation. 
• Misclassifying employees: Your job title doesn’t make you exempt from overtime. What matters is what you actually do. If you’re misclassified as a contractor or exempt worker, your employer might owe you big time. 

These violations aren’t just numbers on a paycheck—they’re a slap in the face to your hard work. 

Think You’re Not Covered? Think Again. 

A lot of people assume wage laws don’t protect them. That’s just not true. In New York, almost everyone’s covered, including: 

• Hourly workers: From retail to restaurants, if you’re paid by the hour, you’ve got rights. 
• Salaried employees: Even if you’re on a salary, you could still be eligible for overtime if you earn less than $1,125 a week (as of 2025). 
• Part-time workers: It doesn’t matter if you work 10 hours a week or 40—you deserve fair pay. 
• Undocumented workers: Yes, you still have rights. Your immigration status doesn’t mean employers can take advantage of you. 

Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. If you’re not sure where you stand, it’s worth finding out. 

Your Road to Justice: How Wage Claims Work 

Filing a claim for unpaid wages can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. Here’s how the process typically goes: 

1. Gather your evidence: Save every pay stub, timecard, and email related to your work and pay. 
2. File your claim: Depending on your case, you might file with the New York Department of Labor or take your claim straight to court. 
3. Negotiate: Many cases settle before going to trial, saving time and stress. 
4. Go to court: If it comes to this, a strong case can win you back pay, damages, and even attorney’s fees. 

Every step gets easier with someone in your corner who knows how the system works. 

Why Horn Wright, LLP, Should Be Your First Call 

Wage theft is personal. You deserve a law firm that treats it that way. Horn Wright, LLP, doesn’t take on cases to push paperwork. We take on your fight as if it’s our own. Our New York employment lawyers are ready to help you navigate the legal system with confidence. 

Our team has years of experience helping workers in Garden City and across New York recover what’s rightfully theirs. From addressing Fair Labor Standards Act violations to providing top-notch wage and hour disputes representation, we’re here to help.  

Contact our Garden City office today for a FREE consultation, and let’s talk about how we can help.