Maryland Unpaid Wages Lawyer – Enforcing Your Right to Pay

When your employer withholds the pay you’ve earned, you need a dedicated Maryland unpaid wages lawyer to fight for every dollar. Under both the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and Maryland’s Wage Payment & Collection Law (MWPCL), employees have strong protections—and the MWPCL’s liquidated-damages provision can triple your recovery. This post explains how the MWPCL works, common wage-and-hour issues, and how to enforce your rights.

Understanding the Maryland Wage Payment & Collection Law (MWPCL)

The MWPCL requires Maryland employers to pay employees all earned wages on regularly scheduled paydays and to deliver a final paycheck promptly upon separation. Crucially, if your employer fails to pay, you’re entitled to your unpaid wages plus liquidated damages “in an amount not exceeding 3 times the wages,” attorney’s fees, and court costs. That means a single withheld paycheck can become a powerful claim for triple damages.

Under Maryland law, a single missed paycheck can become three times its value in damages—triple the incentive for employers to play by the rules.

Common Wage & Hour Issues

Final Paychecks and Timing

Under Maryland law, your final paycheck must be provided on the next scheduled payday. Employers cannot lawfully delay your last check, even if you resign without notice. If they miss this deadline, each day’s delay increases your potential liquidated damages under the MWPCL.

Paid Time Off (PTO) Payouts

By default in Maryland, you are entitled to payout of your PTO when you leave. But if your employer has a written policy restricting PTO payout at separation—and that policy was provided to you at the time you were hired—then you're out of luck.

Overtime & Minimum Wage Violations

Misclassification, rounding down hours, or improperly applying tip credits can leave you shortchanged. The FLSA guarantees one-and-a-half times your regular rate for hours worked over 40, while Maryland’s minimum wage may exceed the federal floor. Violations of either law can be pursued together, and any unpaid amount is subject to triple damages under the MWPCL.

Remedies Available for Unpaid Wages

When we win an unpaid wage claim, you can recover the full amount of unpaid wages, plus liquidated damages up to three times that amount. Additionally, prevailing employees collect attorneys’ fees and court costs, making enforcement affordable. In practice, we’ve secured three-figure and even four-figure payouts in liquidated damages alone, turning an employer’s failure to pay into a significant incentive to comply.

Employers count on you not knowing about liquidated damages. A Maryland unpaid wages lawyer makes them pay the full price.

Filing Deadlines & Enforcement Process

You generally have three years from the date a wage was due to file suit under the MWPCL. To start, your Maryland wage lawyer will demand payment in writing; if your employer refuses, we file a claim in the District Court or Circuit Court, depending on the amount. For FLSA claims, the statute of limitations is two years (or three years for willful violations), and you file with the U.S. Department of Labor or bring a private lawsuit in federal court.

How to Protect Your Rights

Begin by keeping accurate records: time sheets, pay stubs, PTO policies, and written communications about your pay. If you suspect unpaid wages, schedule a free, no-obligation case review with a Maryland unpaid wages lawyer to review your documents and determine the strongest path forward. Whether through negotiation, administrative action, or litigation, we’ll make your employer pay what you’ve rightfully earned.

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Maryland law provides potent tools to recover unpaid wages—especially under the MWPCL’s triple-damages rule. Don’t let your employer delay or deny your pay. Contact an experienced Maryland wage lawyer today to enforce your rights and secure the compensation you deserve.