Torrance Wage and Hour Lawyer

Wage and Hour Attorney in Torrance, CA

When you perform the job that you’re hired to do, there’s nothing wrong with expecting to be paid for that work. There are few things as infuriating as finding out you’re not getting paid or that your paycheck is being delayed for some reason. It can make you immediately want to storm out or quit on the spot, but that’s not recommended. Instead, you should play it smart and start documenting. Then, you should contact a Torrance wage and hour lawyer to help your case.

The legal team at Kristy & Kananen understands how desperate you may be for a resolution in a wage and hour case. When you have unpaid wages, that can affect every other aspect of your life, including your rent or mortgage, your kids’ schooling, or even buying food. It’s vital that you understand how the state’s wage and hour laws affect you. An experienced Torrance wage and hour attorney can be a valuable asset to your case. Our firm knows what to do.

Common Examples of Wage and Hour Violations

If you choose to move forward with a wage and hour violation case in Torrance, your case may be heard in the Superior Court of Los Angeles County. Primarily, your case can happen at the Torrance Courthouse on Maple Avenue, which is where the majority of civil matters, including labor law violations, are heard. These disputes are quite common. Nationwide, more than $259 million in back wages was recoversed in 2025 by the Wage and Hour Division of the Labor Department.

A wage and hour violation can take many different forms. Some of them are not immediately noticeable. You may not even realize you’re being taken advantage of until your employer has already either taken from you or refused to pay you thousands of dollars. It’s vital that you recognize the many forms that such a violation can take. That way, you’re ready for legal action if it happens to you. Here are some of the most common wage and hour violations in California:

• Failing to pay. The most common wage and hour violation you can encounter is when your employer simply doesn’t pay you. They may not even give you a reason. A failure to pay doesn’t always just mean that your employer didn’t give you a paycheck. If they are paying you less than minimum wage, that’s a failure to pay. If they refuse to pay you for overtime hours that you worked, that’s also a failure to pay.
• Failing to pay for breaks. California’s comprehensive and protective labor laws prohibit employers from refusing to allow breaks for qualifying employees. For every four hours worked, employees are entitled to a 10-minute rest break. For any shift longer than five hours, they are entitled to a 30-minute meal break. If your employer refuses to let you have a break or doesn’t pay you for them, that’s a wage and hour violation.
• Unauthorized deductions. Some employers may deduct arbitrary amounts from your paycheck, claiming they’re authorized by the state. They might not say anything and just take the amount from each check. You might not even realize it’s happening until you’ve lost a great deal of money. Common unauthorized deductions include withholding tips, refusing to pay an earned bonus, or making you pay for uniforms or equipment.
• Unpaid final wages. If your employer refuses to pay you your final paycheck immediately upon termination or within 72 hours of quitting, that’s a wage and hour violation. It’s common for some employers to see quitting as a betrayal and withholding your final check as some sort of justified payback. Unfortunately for them, it’s illegal, and you should pursue legal action with an employment lawyer’s help.
• Retaliation. Refusing to pay you can be a form of retaliation, which is illegal under the state’s labor laws. California is an at-will employment state, which means that your employer doesn’t need cause to fire you. However, retaliation is an illegal reason to fire an employee or withhold their pay.

FAQs

How Much Can You Get in an Unpaid Wages Case in California?

In California, if you pursue legal action for unpaid wages, you can seek all back pay, including minimum wage and overtime pay, as well as interest and statutory penalties. Employees may also be entitled to additional damages if the employer willfully violated wage and hour laws or failed to keep accurate payroll records. Just make sure you have an experienced lawyer and plenty of documentation that proves your claim.

What Is the 72 Hour Rule in California?

The 72-hour rule in California refers to the amount of time that an employer has to pay an employee’s final wages after they quit without providing at least 72 hours’ notice. If an employee does give that notice, they need to be paid in full on their last day. Failure to pay a former employee within 72 hours can result in waiting-time penalties.

What Is the Three-Month Rule in a Job in California?

In California, the three-month rule refers to a probationary period that some employers establish to evaluate a new hire’s skills, performance, and fit with the company culture. It’s not legally mandated in California, but it is a common industry practice. During this time, employers may hold off on health or 401(k) benefits, and employers can terminate you at any point due to the state’s at-will employment status.

How Can You Prove You Are Being Treated Unfairly at Work?

The most reliable way to prove that you are being treated unfairly at work is to document every interaction that supports your claim. You can never have too much evidence in a situation like this. Save any supporting documentation that contributes to your claim, such as emails, texts, audio recordings, video, and performance reviews. If you can get any witnesses to come forward with statements, that can help tremendously. Then, bring everything to an employment lawyer.

Hire a Wage and Hour Lawyer

The smartest move you can make for your case is to hire a wage and hour lawyer to oversee it. At Kristy & Kananen, we can devote decades of experience helping protect consumers and employees to your case. Contact us to speak to a member of our team.