Denton County man sues for 39 weeks' worth of unpaid overtime wages

SHERMAN - A Denton County man has filed a lawsuit against his previous employer claiming that the company owes him 39 weeks of overtime compensation.

Andrew Belfield filed suit against Viva Railings, Huzefa Tinwala, and Murtuza Tinawala on April 20 in the Eastern District of Texas, Sherman Division.

The plaintiff worked for Viva Railings from April 23, 2010 until Nov. 22, 2011 and was paid at a rate of $19.23 per hour. Belfield claims that he was required to work more than forty hours each week, but was initially not paid any overtime wages.

Recently, Viva Railings has started paying overtime to him and paid a partial amount toward the arrearage. Belfield worked an average of 56 hours per week for approximately 39 weeks.

The defendants are accused of violating the Fair Labor Standards Act's provisions regarding minimum wage and overtime provisions.

The plaintiff is asking the Court for an award of damages for unpaid overtime wages, physical pain, mental anguish, emotional distress, liquidated damages, punitive damages, interest, attorney's fees and court costs.

Belfield is represented by Gregory B. Fell of Fell & Wood in Richardson and Roger M. Tafel of Law Office of Roger M. Tafel in Euless. A jury trial is requested.

Case No. 4:12-cv-00241