There are strict wage and hour laws in California that are designed to protect workers from being overworked, underpaid, or otherwise treated unfairly by employers. If you think your rights may have been violated, be sure to ask a qualified Hawthorne wage and hour lawyer about your options.
Attorneys James R. Kristy, Esq. and Kurt E. Kananen, Esq. have worked together for over 20 years at separate firms before establishing Kristy & Kananen in Long Beach in 2023. Backed by our true grit approach, we are not afraid to do what needs to be done and advocate on behalf of our clients. As competent legal professionals, we take pride in providing thorough services along with empathetic support, in and out of court.
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division reported that it recovered more than 259 million dollars in back wages for approximately 177,000 employees in fiscal year 2025. This is an average of about $1,465 per worker.
Wage and hour laws outline how workers must be compensated as well as address issues regarding working conditions. These are some common types of wage and hour violations you may encounter:
Overtime violations and employee misclassifications are among the most frequently litigated issues in employment law disputes in California. If you suspect you have experienced a wage and hour violation, don’t hesitate to consult a skilled employment law attorney.
It is strongly advised that you hire a wage and hour lawyer because it can be difficult to navigate California and federal employment laws, especially for those who aren’t familiar with local procedures and expectations. Many workers may find it intimidating or overwhelming to stand up to their employer on their own.
A qualified and skilled Hawthorne wage and hour attorney is deeply familiar with the different agencies, processes, and laws that pertain to your case. As your legal counsel and representation, a lawyer can protect your rights and guide you through every step of the process.
A wage and hour case in Hawthorne is most likely to be handled by the Los Angeles County Superior Court for the Southwest District, specifically at Torrance Courthouse. This venue is located at 825 Maple Avenue, Torrance, CA 90503. If the case involves federal employees or statutes, it may instead be handled by the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, Western Division.
Many wage and hour claims are also filed administratively with the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement at the California Labor Commissioner’s Office, which a lawyer can also assist you with.
Be sure to confirm with your attorney the agencies or legal venues you may interact with over the course of your wage and hour case.
In California, wage and hour violations refer to when an employer breaks state labor laws regarding proper worker classification, pay, and required breaks. Common violations in this area of employment law include failing to provide employees with state-mandated minimum wage, accurate pay stubs, or overtime, denying workers required meal and rest breaks, forcing off-the-clock work, or purposely misclassifying workers.
Related issues may include retaliating against workers for calling out unlawful practices or demanding proper wages.
In California, a wage claim may be filed in a local civil court or the California Labor Commissioner’s Office. If you choose to file with the office’s Division of Labor Standards Enforcement, you should begin by collecting supporting evidence such as a detailed log of your work hours, pay stubs, and wage statements. An attorney can assist you with preparing and filing your claim, along with subsequent proceedings.
A wage claim may take anywhere from several months to multiple years in California. The timeline of a wage and hour dispute depends greatly on the specific circumstances, with influencing factors including the path you choose to file the claim through, backlogs, case complexity, the evidence available, and more.
In California, you are not required to work with a wage and hour lawyer to act and stand up for your rights. However, it is generally advised that you do consult a legal professional to verify the strength of your claim and avoid procedural errors that can harm your case. An attorney is there to provide insightful advice and guidance.
In California, you cannot be legally fired for demanding overtime when you are rightfully owed overtime pay. While employers reserve the right to terminate workers as they see fit, they cannot do so because a worker engages in legally protected rights. Employees have the right to demand overtime pay when they meet the requirements for receiving it. If a worker is fired after requesting overtime, it would most likely be considered a form of wrongful termination.
As an employee, it’s important to stand up for your rights and receive the pay and treatment you are entitled to. The team at Kristy & Kananen is here to advocate for you in the face of injustice and work for you to receive compensation. Reach out to us today to schedule an initial meeting with a wage and hour lawyer.
Contact Kristy & Kananen to discuss your employment law, construction defect or insurance-bad-faith claim. There are no attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation on your behalf.
To meet with an experienced lawyer to discuss your employment law matter, construction
defect or insurance bad faith claim. There are no attorney’s fees unless we recover
compensation on your behalf.
Contact Us Today 866-981-1498
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