Millions Recovered
For Unpaid Workers
Pennsylvania workers have a powerful advantage: a **3-year statute of limitations** to recover unpaid wages under the Pennsylvania Minimum Wage Act (PMWA)—one year longer than the standard federal limit. If you have been denied overtime or misclassified in Pennsylvania, you can recover back wages from further in the past.
No fees unless we win. We only get paid when you do.
Get an estimate of what you're owed in just 60 seconds. This calculator is based on federal FLSA laws and includes liquidated damages (double your unpaid wages).
The most important difference for Pennsylvania workers is time. While federal law typically limits recovery to 2 years, the Pennsylvania Minimum Wage Act (PMWA) allows you to recover unpaid overtime for up to 3 years. This can effectively increase your total recovery by 50% compared to a standard federal claim.
PA rejects federal "Portal-to-Portal" exclusions. Time spent passing security, walking to the line, or donning gear is often compensable work time in PA, even if excluded under federal law.
PA does not recognize the federal "Computer Professional" exemption. Many IT support staff and helpdesk workers are owed 1.5x overtime under state law.
Oil and gas field workers are often paid a flat "day rate" with no overtime. PA law requires 1.5x pay for hours over 40, protecting your true earnings.
The PA Supreme Court rejected the "De Minimis" rule. If you work 2-3 minutes off-the-clock every day (booting computers, locking up), you must be paid for it.
Pennsylvania BANS the "fluctuating workweek" method (0.5x overtime). Employers MUST pay full 1.5x overtime for salaried non-exempt workers.
Hospitals often auto-deduct 30 mins for lunch. Since PA rejects "de minimis," even short interruptions to your break require you to be paid for the entire break.
From Pittsburgh steel to York factories, manufacturing workers face specific violations:
Large health systems in Philadelphia and beyond frequently underpay staff:
The logistics hubs in Lehigh Valley are hotspots for wage theft:
Field workers in rural PA face unique pay schemes:
Under PA state law, you can recover all unpaid wages plus 25% liquidated damages (or $500, whichever is greater). While FLSA offers 100% damages, PA allows you to go back 3 years instead of 2.
We often file "hybrid" lawsuits: claiming federal double damages for the most recent 2 years, and PA state damages for the 3rd year. This maximizes your total payout.
Pennsylvania law mandates that employers pay your legal fees if you win. This forces settlements and protects your recovery.
Most states are limited to the federal 2-year statute of limitations. Pennsylvania's 3-year rule allows you to recover an entire extra year of back pay. For a worker owed $10,000/year, this means recovering $30,000 (plus damage) instead of just $20,000.
⚠️ Do not delay. Claims expire every single day.
While federal law provides a baseline, the Pennsylvania Minimum Wage Act (PMWA) offers significantly stronger protections. We file under state law whenever possible to maximize your recovery.
💰 Pennsylvania Law Puts More Money in Your Pocket
Don't let employers use federal loopholes to underpay you.
While Paul M. Botros is licensed in Texas and Florida, we successfully help Pennsylvania workers recover unpaid wages through our network of skilled Pennsylvania attorneys. We partner with experienced local counsel or obtain special admission (pro hac vice) to ensure you get both specialized wage and hour expertise and local court advantage.
We Level the Playing Field
Large employers have legal teams. With our national network, so do you.
Expert legal review of your overtime claim. No fees unless we win. Use the calculator above to estimate your recovery, then contact us for a detailed case analysis.