Employees who have not been paid properly should not have to endure delays in receiving the compensation they deserve. Victims of wage theft may be eligible to recover damages for their employer’s negligence. Lawyers for Justice, PC is a powerhouse Los Angeles employment law firm that specializes in wage and hour violations. The Los Angeles employment lawyers are dedicated to holding employers accountable for their negligent actions.

LFJ’s skilled team of attorneys advocating on behalf of employees can help workers recover the wages they rightfully deserve. Regardless of the type of workplace injustice, Lawyers for Justice, PC is ready to assist. To begin the process, call (213) 772-5010 for a free case consultation.

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What Are The Wage and Hour Laws In Los Angeles?

In Los Angeles, wage and hour laws are designed to protect employees and ensure fair compensation. While hourly wages have been often debated and changed, California workers should understand the most current wage laws are to ensure they are not being mistreated at work. 

Minimum Wage

According to the city of Los Angeles, as of 2025, the minimum wage is set at $17.28 per hour and it is applicable to most employees working within the city’s boundaries. However, for unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County, the minimum wage can be $17.27 per hour. In addition, California mandated a new $20 per hour minimum wage for all fast-food employees. 

Overtime Pay

All non-exempt employees are entitled to overtime pay at 1.5 times their regular rate, per section 510 of California’s Labor Code. Overtime pay is applied whenever an employee has worked more than 8 hours in a single day, worked over 40 hours in a work week, or can be applied to the first 8 hours on the seventh consecutive day of a work week. 

If an employee has worked over 12 hours in a single work day, or worked over 8 hours on the seventh consecutive day in a work week, they could be eligible for double-time pay which is double their hourly rate. 

Paid Sick Leave

According to California Labor Code 246, employers in Los Angeles must provide paid sick leave to employees who work at least two hours in a particular week within the city. As such, employees who have worked at least 30 days for the same employer are entitled to paid sick leave. However, employees can accrue one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked and the maximum they can earn is usually 40 hours (5 work days) per year. 

Meal and Rest Breaks

According to the US Department of Labor, all employees in California are entitled to a 30-minute unpaid meal break for every 5 hours they have worked and a paid 10 minute rest break for every 4 hours they have worked. 

However, if the employee has worked more than 10 hours, then they are entitled to receive a second 30 minute meal break. If an employer goes over these hours without taking an appropriate break time, then it could become a meal break violation where employers can potentially be fined or sued for noncompliance.

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Common Wage Theft Cases

As wage theft is a serious violation of labor rights, it can drastically impact an employee’s livelihood. It is important that workers understand some of the most common instances of wage theft so they can recognize the signs and make the necessary preparations for legal action.

Minimum Wage Violation

A minimum wage violation is when employers pay their employees less than the legally mandated minimum wage. This typically occurs when workers are paid at a daily or weekly rate, or if the employer is deducting unreasonable expenses from an employee’s paycheck for items such as uniforms, office supplies, and other job-related costs. 

In rarer circumstances, a minimum wage violation can occur if a local or statewide ordinance to increase the minimum wage has taken effect and the employer has failed to make the necessary pay increases. 

Unpaid Overtime

Any employee who has worked more than 8 hours in a day or more than 40 in a work week is usually entitled to overtime pay, which is 1.5 times more than their regular hourly rate. Some employers may try to avoid paying overtime to their employees by requiring them to work off the clock without compensation, or by manipulating their time records. In other instances, an employer may simply just choose to pay their employees their regular hourly rate instead of the legally required overtime rate. Whatever the reason may be, all employers must pay all overtime hours to their employees.

Unpaid Meals/Meal Breaks

Every employee in California working more than 5 hours in their shift is entitled to receive a 30-minute unpaid meal break and a 10 minute rest break. 

Anyone who works more than 10 hours is entitled to a second 30-minute break and another 10-minute break. 

Any employer who denies their employees meal breaks, pressures their employees to work through their breaks without pay, or even fails to provide payment for missed or uninterrupted breaks may be held liable for wage theft.

Unpaid Reimbursements

Employees who use their own money for job-related expenses in order to perform their duties are entitled to be compensated for their expenses. For instance, employees who have to purchase work uniforms or travel to another location for work are entitled for compensation as per California Labor Code 2802. Any employer who fails to reimburse employees can be liable for a wage theft lawsuit and, depending on the size of the company, they can be susceptible to a class action lawsuit.  

Misclassifying Employment Status

Misclassification tends to happen when employers incorrectly categorize employees as independent contractors or exempt employees in order to avoid paying benefits, overtime, or any other entitlements that are protected under California labor laws. As such, any employee who is a victim to misclassification can be denied basic labor rights such as minimum wage, overtime pay, access to health benefits, worker’s compensation, and even unemployment insurance. This can dramatically impact a worker’s livelihood for the worse and it is recommended they take legal action against their employers. 

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How a Los Angeles Wage Theft Lawyer Can Help 

A Los Angeles wage theft lawyer can help with a variety of tasks aside from making and filing a claim against an employer. An experienced wage theft attorney can help gather evidence, negotiate on a client’s behalf, and even represent a worker in court. If you want to obtain justice and proper compensation for damages, it is highly recommended to hire a talented and experienced wage theft attorney.

How Much Does a Wage Theft Attorney Charge?

All employment attorneys will charge based on their experience and work load, but most tend to operate under a contingency-fee system, which means that clients won’t have to pay any upfront fees or legal bills unless their attorney has either received a settlement offer, or wins their case. 

t is recommended to consult with different attorneys and employment law firms to see which one best suits your needs. 

What To Do If You Are A Victim of Wage Theft

Victims of wage theft may be eligible to sue their employer for compensation. Lawyers for Justice, PC, a law firm specializing in employment law, is prepared to fight against improper treatment for affected employees. 

With a team of experienced wage and hour attorneys, the firm handles each case with the utmost care and respect, working diligently to maximize the chances of recovering the compensation owed. To begin a claim, call (213) 772-5010 for a free case consultation.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Wage and Hour Cases