The First Question I Ask Isn’t Whether the Employer Paid

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Michael J. Epstein is featured in this coverage discussing how the handling of unpaid employment settlement agreements has changed as fraud schemes have become more sophisticated. Rather than assuming that a signed agreement accurately reflects a legitimate settlement, he explains that attorneys increasingly begin by verifying the authenticity of the documents, the parties involved, and the surrounding circumstances before considering legal action to enforce the agreement.

The article describes how realistic-looking settlement documents, email chains, and other materials can be used in scams, making careful verification an important first step. At the same time, it notes that many unpaid settlements are entirely legitimate disputes, with payment delays resulting from administrative issues or, in some cases, a party’s failure to honor its obligations. Once a valid settlement has been confirmed, the focus shifts to the legal remedies available to enforce a binding agreement when one side does not comply.

The coverage highlights the practical challenges attorneys face in balancing caution against fraud with the need to help clients whose settlement agreements have not been honored. It underscores the importance of confirming that an agreement is genuine before pursuing enforcement, while recognizing that properly executed settlement agreements remain enforceable contracts under the law.

Read the full coverage here.

The Epstein Law Firm continues to assist clients with employment-related legal matters.