New York Consolidated Laws, Labor Law - LAB § 681. Civil action

1. By employee. If any employee is paid by his employer less than the wage to which he is entitled under the provisions of this article, he may recover in a civil action the amount of any such underpayments, together with costs and such reasonable attorney's fees as may be allowed by the court, and if such underpayment was willful, an additional amount as liquidated damages equal to twenty-five percent of the total of such underpayment found to be due him and any agreement between him and his employer to work for less than such wage shall be no defense to such action.

2. By commissioner. On behalf of any employee paid less than the wage to which he is entitled under the provisions of this article, the commissioner may bring any legal action necessary to collect such claim, and the employer shall be required to pay the costs and if such underpayment was willful, an additional amount as liquidated damages equal to twenty-five percent of the total of such underpayments found to be due him.

3. Limitation of time. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, an action to recover upon a liability imposed by this article must be commenced within six years.