Employment Attorneys NYC Unpaid Wages Loan Recovery

The client was employed by a real estate development company in a senior management capacity, overseeing key operational functions including personnel administration, financial coordination, and internal compliance matters.

Beginning during a period of financial instability, the company stopped paying monthly wages for an extended period while continuing to operate and maintain its workforce.

Following the client’s resignation, the employer failed to remit final wages and post employment compensation, leaving substantial amounts outstanding despite repeated demands.

During the initial consultation, the client questioned whether an executive title would preclude recovery under New York wage laws and whether meaningful enforcement was realistic.

Employment attorneys NYC explained that New York law evaluates the degree of employer control and economic dependence rather than formal titles, and that senior employees may still qualify for wage protections.

Counsel also advised that unpaid wages and employer loan obligations could be pursued simultaneously through civil litigation to maximize recovery.

Although the employer attempted to characterize the client as an autonomous executive outside the scope of wage protections, the factual record demonstrated substantial employer control over compensation structure and job duties.

Payroll documentation, tax treatment, and internal reporting requirements confirmed that the client was treated as a wage earning employee despite the absence of payment.

Counsel emphasized that New York courts prioritize the substance of the employment relationship over labels when determining wage eligibility.

In addition to unpaid wages, the client had advanced personal funds to the company to cover operational expenses such as insurance premiums, professional fees, and administrative costs.

Written confirmations acknowledged the employer’s obligation to repay these advances within a defined period following separation.

Employment attorneys NYC asserted that the failure to repay constituted a clear breach of repayment obligations, warranting full reimbursement together with applicable statutory interest.

The legal team filed a comprehensive complaint detailing unpaid wages, unpaid post employment compensation, and outstanding loan balances, supported by payroll records, written acknowledgments, and financial statements.

Each category of damages was clearly tied to recognized legal duties under New York law, allowing the court to assess liability efficiently.

The employer argued that financial hardship justified delayed payment and that the client’s senior status eliminated wage obligations.

Employment attorneys NYC rebutted these claims by demonstrating that business difficulty does not excuse nonpayment of earned wages under New York law and that managerial titles do not negate wage protections where employer control is present.

The final judgment awarded the client the full amount sought, exceeding $100,000 in combined unpaid compensation and loan repayment, together with legally mandated interest and costs.

The ruling provided enforceable relief and restored the client’s financial position without the need for further proceedings.

This case demonstrates that high value wage disputes involving senior employees often require more than administrative complaints.

Employment attorneys NYC provide strategic analysis, procedural precision, and enforcement capability necessary to convert unpaid compensation into a successful civil judgment.