Understanding Labor Trafficking Claims
Labor trafficking occurs when individuals are compelled to work through force, fraud, or coercion. Victims are often lured with promises of legitimate employment, only to have their documents confiscated, their wages withheld, and their freedom restricted. The federal Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) provides a powerful civil remedy, allowing survivors to sue their traffickers for actual damages, punitive damages, and attorneys' fees.
Babin Law brings claims under both the TVPA and Ohio's anti-trafficking statutes to maximize recovery for survivors. Steven Babin is lead trial counsel on the first-ever case filed under the federal TVPA against major hotel brands, and the firm's deep experience in trafficking litigation gives our clients a significant advantage. We understand the complex intersection of immigration law, employment law, and human rights law that these cases demand.
Support and advocacy for labor trafficking victims
Holding Businesses Accountable
Labor trafficking does not happen in isolation. It is sustained by supply chains, staffing agencies, and corporate entities that benefit from exploited labor while looking the other way. Under the TVPA, businesses that knowingly benefit from trafficking — or that should have known trafficking was occurring in their operations — can be held civilly liable. This includes hotels, farms, factories, construction companies, and the intermediaries that supply them with workers.
Babin Law represents approximately 40% of all hotel human trafficking cases nationwide, giving us unmatched insight into how corporate negligence enables trafficking. We follow the money, tracing the network of recruiters, contractors, and corporate beneficiaries to ensure every responsible party faces accountability. Our litigation has driven meaningful changes in corporate policies and industry practices.
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Survivor-Centered Legal Advocacy
We recognize that labor trafficking survivors face unique challenges, including immigration concerns, language barriers, and fear of retaliation. Our approach is built around each survivor's individual needs. We coordinate with immigration attorneys to address visa and status concerns, work with interpreters when needed, and connect survivors with social service organizations that provide housing, employment assistance, and ongoing support.
Financial recovery through civil litigation serves a vital purpose: it provides survivors with the resources to rebuild their lives on their own terms. Compensation can cover lost wages, medical and psychological treatment, relocation costs, and the pain and suffering inflicted by years of exploitation. Babin Law treats every survivor with dignity, and we fight relentlessly to ensure that traffickers and their enablers pay the full price for their crimes.
What to Do If You Are a Survivor of Labor Trafficking
If you have been forced to work through threats, coercion, or deception, you have legal rights — regardless of your immigration status. Your safety comes first, and help is available right now.
Get to a Safe Location
If you are in immediate danger, call 911. If you need confidential help, contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text 233733 (BEFREE). Trained advocates are available 24/7 to help you develop a safety plan.
Know That Your Immigration Status Is Protected
Federal law protects trafficking survivors regardless of citizenship or immigration status. You may be eligible for a T-visa, which provides legal immigration status, work authorization, and a path to permanent residency. You will not be deported for seeking help.
Preserve Any Evidence You Can
If it is safe to do so, save text messages, photos, pay stubs, contracts, or any documents related to your employment. Screenshots of communications with recruiters or employers can become critical evidence in your case.
Seek Medical Attention
Many labor trafficking survivors suffer from untreated injuries, malnutrition, and psychological trauma. Medical records also serve as important documentation of the harm you endured and strengthen your legal claim.
Contact Babin Law for a Free, Confidential Consultation
Babin Law represents labor trafficking survivors at no upfront cost. Steven Babin is lead trial counsel on the first-ever TVPA case against major hotel brands, and our firm handles approximately 40% of all hotel trafficking cases nationwide. We can evaluate your case and connect you with support services immediately.
Do Not Sign Anything From Your Employer
Traffickers and their business partners may pressure you to sign releases, waivers, or settlement documents. Do not sign anything without first speaking to an attorney who represents your interests — not theirs.
Understanding Compensation in Labor Trafficking Cases
The federal TVPA and Ohio Revised Code Chapter 2905 provide survivors with the right to pursue substantial civil damages against traffickers and every business that profited from their exploitation.
Lost Wages and Unpaid Labor
Survivors are entitled to recover the full value of their unpaid or underpaid labor, often spanning months or years. This includes minimum wage and overtime violations, withheld tips, and any wages confiscated by traffickers or recruiters.
Physical and Psychological Harm
Labor trafficking inflicts severe physical and emotional damage. Compensation covers medical treatment, mental health counseling, PTSD therapy, and the ongoing pain and suffering caused by the exploitation.
Punitive Damages
The TVPA allows courts to award punitive damages designed to punish traffickers and the businesses that knowingly benefited from forced labor. These damages send a clear message that profiting from human exploitation carries severe financial consequences.
Number and Wealth of Liable Parties
Labor trafficking cases often involve multiple defendants — recruiters, staffing agencies, property owners, and corporate entities. The more parties held liable, the greater the potential recovery. Babin Law traces the full network of exploitation to maximize accountability.
Attorneys' Fees and Litigation Costs
Under the TVPA, prevailing survivors can recover their attorneys' fees and costs from the defendants. This means the traffickers and their corporate enablers — not the survivor — bear the financial burden of litigation.
Compensation in labor trafficking cases is about more than money — it provides survivors with the financial independence to rebuild their lives, secure stable housing, pursue education, and move forward on their own terms.
Contact Babin Law today for a free, confidential case evaluation. We represent labor trafficking survivors on a contingency basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Labor Trafficking
Get answers to the questions our Columbus attorneys hear most from clients in labor trafficking cases.
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