Virginia workers are owed $11.5 million in backpay: Here's how you can claim yours

The big picture: In Virginia, just over 8,000 workers are collectively owed $11,578,157 in backpay, per a news release from the Labor Department.

• The agency has the funds as a result of unpaid wage investigations, usually triggered by a labor law violation complaint, like unpaid overtime.
• In some cases, employers found to be in violation pay the workers directly, in others, they pay it to the Labor Department, which has three years to remit it to workers, otherwise, it goes to the U.S. Treasury, per the Seattle Times.

How it works: To see if you're owed some of the millions, use the Workers Owed Wages online tool to search for your current or former employer, then your name.

• If you're on there, fill out a claim form, upload an ID and the agency will send a check in about six weeks.

Zoom in: Around 250 employers owe backpay to Virginia workers, the Labor Department tells Axios.

• Home health care, construction, rehabs and nursing homes, and hospitality jobs seem to be the most common industries owing back wages in the state, per an Axios review.
• Richmond employers found owing wages using the WOW tool include Apex Systems, Chicano's Cocina Bar & Grill, Casa Del Barco, Swanson Security Services and Sushi King.