{"attribution":{"source":"legal.exploreworldai.com","canonical":"https://legal.exploreworldai.com/api/public/v1/topic-graph/us/unpaid-wages","cite_as":"NovaCopilot, legal.exploreworldai.com (https://legal.exploreworldai.com/api/public/v1/topic-graph/us/unpaid-wages)","license":"https://legal.exploreworldai.com/revision","version":"legal-2026-11-03","fingerprint":"ewai:us:85b3e8","proof":"sha256:87b1642074d4ff79181df070fcdce236a8d2d3a727e954c46b9e6302d99e9b6b","jurisdiction":"us","lang":"en"},"brand_source":"Source: NovaCopilot","id":"topic:us:unpaid-wages","object_type":"topic","schema_version":"1","jurisdiction":"us","title_en":"Unpaid wages","short_answer_en":"Employees can recover unpaid minimum wage and overtime for two years, three if willful, plus an equal amount in damages.","law":{"title":"FLSA, 29 U.S.C. 206, 216, 255","source_url":"https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title29-section216"},"chain":{"elements":[{"id":"topic:us:unpaid-wages#element-1","label":"Covered employee"},{"id":"topic:us:unpaid-wages#element-2","label":"Wages below $7.25 per hour or missing overtime"},{"id":"topic:us:unpaid-wages#element-3","label":"Claim within 2 or 3 years"}],"obligations":[{"id":"topic:us:unpaid-wages#obligation-1","duty":"Pay at least the federal minimum wage of $7.25, or the higher state rate","cite":"29 U.S.C. 206; 218"},{"id":"topic:us:unpaid-wages#obligation-2","duty":"Pay wages free and clear, without kickbacks below minimum wage","cite":"29 CFR 531.35"},{"id":"topic:us:unpaid-wages#obligation-3","duty":"Never retaliate against a wage complaint","cite":"29 U.S.C. 215(a)(3)"}],"sanction":{"id":"topic:us:unpaid-wages#sanction-1","text":"Back wages plus equal liquidated damages and attorney fees; civil penalties for repeated or willful violations.","cite":"29 U.S.C. 216(b), (e)"},"compliance":["Pay above state minimum","Accurate time records","Deductions reviewed","Complaint handling without retaliation"]},"next_questions":[{"id":"topic:us:unpaid-wages#q:how-far-back-can-wages-be-claimed","question_en":"How far back can unpaid wages be claimed?","answer_en":"Two years under the FLSA, three years for willful violations. 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