California Wage & Hour Attorneys
Unpaid overtime, missed meal and rest breaks, off-the-clock work, and misclassification — California employers must pay employees for every hour worked. Our Pasadena wage and hour attorneys recover back pay, penalties, and attorney's fees for workers across the state.
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When Wages Are Withheld
California has some of the strongest wage protections in the country. If any of the following describes your situation, you may be owed significant compensation.
Required to work off the clock or through unpaid meal breaks
Not paid overtime for hours worked beyond 8 in a day or 40 in a week
Misclassified as an independent contractor or exempt employee to avoid overtime
Denied required meal or rest breaks during shifts
Final paycheck was late, incomplete, or included unlawful deductions
Required to pay for business expenses, uniforms, or tools without reimbursement
Paid less than minimum wage or not paid for all hours worked
Forced to pool tips in a way that benefits managers or the employer
Compensation
All regular and overtime wages you earned but were not paid, calculated at the correct rate under California law.
One hour of pay at your regular rate for each day a meal or rest break was missed or shortened.
Up to 30 days of daily wages when your final paycheck was late or incomplete upon termination or resignation.
Under the Labor Code, prevailing employees can recover attorney's fees and litigation costs from the employer.
How We Work
01
Tell us what happened. We listen, ask the right questions, and tell you where you stand — at no cost.
02
We gather evidence, evaluate damages, and build a clear legal theory tailored to your goals.
03
Many cases resolve through firm negotiation. When they don't, we're ready for court.
04
We pursue maximum compensation: unpaid wages, penalties, interest, and attorney's fees.
Client Stories
Frequently Asked
Common violations include unpaid overtime (for non-exempt employees), off-the-clock work, missed meal or rest breaks, failure to pay minimum wage, unlawful wage deductions, misclassification as an independent contractor, unpaid final wages, and failure to reimburse business expenses. California's wage and hour laws are among the most employee-protective in the nation.
You can recover all unpaid wages and overtime, plus waiting time penalties (up to 30 days of daily wages for late final pay), meal and rest break premiums (one hour of pay per missed break per day), interest, and attorney's fees. In class actions or PAGA cases, penalties can be substantial. We evaluate your total recovery during your free consultation.
Most wage claims have a 3-year statute of limitations under the California Labor Code. Claims based on a written contract may have a 4-year deadline. However, waiting time penalties and PAGA claims can have different deadlines. The sooner you act, the easier it is to gather timesheets, pay stubs, and witness testimony.
No. We handle wage and hour cases on a contingency basis — you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. The initial consultation is free and completely confidential.
Yes. An employer cannot contract around wage and hour laws. Even if you 'volunteered' to work through breaks or after clocking out, the employer is still legally obligated to pay you for all hours worked, including overtime. Your agreement does not waive your rights under California law.
The Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) allows employees to sue on behalf of the state of California for Labor Code violations affecting themselves and other employees. PAGA claims can recover civil penalties — significant sums that add up quickly across multiple violations and employees. Even if your individual unpaid wages are small, a PAGA claim may be powerful.
A free, confidential conversation with one of our attorneys is the fastest way to find out what your case is worth and what to do next.
