Question on whether it is worth it to pursue and unpaid OT claim. [NY]

Good evening,

I was let go from a job last year for what was ultimately an unsubstantiated claim for SH. During the discovery period, my private FB messages were displayed and I lost employment based on things noted in a private conversation. That's not what the question is about, more setting the stage. I was an hourly employee who worked an enormous amount of extra hours off the clock to keep up with the workload. I'm ambivalent to pursue the claim because I don't wish to have the reason of my termination brought up again, but I easily worked more than 800 extra hours off the clock. It would be helpful to know if this is worth pursuing? It was well known by my direct supervisor that I was doing this and there is evidence of date/time stamps to validate my off the clock work. My work revolved around the chronically homeless and crisis intervention, so when issues arise, the expectation was that we would do what was needed to assist the person in crisis.

Thank you.