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What happens after a violation: deadlines, damages, and penalties

A missed wage payment doesn’t just get corrected — it starts a clock on how long an employee can sue, can double the back pay owed, and can bring a civil money penalty the employer has the right to contest. This chapter covers what follows once a violation is found.

In this chapter

• +How long an employee has to sue, and why a willful violation stretches that deadline
• +Why liquidated damages double the back pay owed unless the employer proves good faith
• +How a civil money penalty is assessed, and the steps for contesting one