Remedies

Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), if you are successful in your claim for your employer's failure to pay minimum wages, you are entitled to back pay for all unpaid minimum wage compensation beginning two years before the complaint is filed, or three years before the complaint is filed if it is a willful violation.

You are also entitled to an award of liquidated damages, unless your employer can show a good faith defense, such as seeking guidance or an opinion from the Department of Labor or a lawyer. Liquidated damages are an amount equal to your amount of unpaid minimum wage compensation. For example, if your unpaid minimum wages are $5,000, then the liquidated damages would be an additional $5,000, for a total of $10,000.

Finally, you are also entitled to your attorneys' fees and the out of pocket expenses related to the litigation of your case.