Alvarado Balderramo v. Go New York Tours Inc.

**Worker's Lawsuit Against State Prison Dismissed Due to Legal Immunity** A worker named Alvarado Balderramo filed a lawsuit claiming wage theft against the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility and Go New York Tours Inc. The worker was seeking money damages for alleged unpaid wages or other compensation violations. The federal court dismissed the entire case before it could proceed to trial. The court ruled that because the worker sued government officials only in their "official capacities" (meaning as representatives of the state government rather than as individuals), the lawsuit was blocked by legal protections called Eleventh Amendment immunity. This constitutional provision generally prevents people from suing state governments for money in federal court. **What This Means for Workers:** This case highlights an important limitation workers face when pursuing wage claims against state employers. While workers can still file wage theft claims against private employers and sometimes against individual government officials personally, suing state agencies or officials acting in their official roles for money damages is much more difficult in federal court. Workers facing wage issues with state employers may need to explore other legal options, such as state court lawsuits, administrative complaints, or claims under specific federal laws that override this immunity.