Wage and Hour Lawyer in Los Angeles

Victims of wage theft may be eligible to recover damages for their employer’s negligence. Lawyers for Justice, P.C. (LFJ) is a powerhouse Los Angeles employment law firm that fights to protect employees’ rights. Lawyers for Justice, P.C.’s skilled Los Angeles wage and hour lawyers are dedicated to holding employers accountable for their negligent actions.

To speak with a member of the firm’s team of wage theft attorneys in Los Angeles, 24/7, call (818) JUSTICE or complete this contact form for a FREE consultation.

What Does a Los Angeles Wage and Hour Attorney Do?

A Los Angeles wage and hour attorney helps workers take legal action when they’ve been underpaid, misclassified, or denied overtime. These lawyers investigate wage violations, gather evidence, and represent employees in claims against employers who fail to follow California labor laws.

Whether an employee has been forced to work off the clock, been denied meal or rest breaks, or is simply not paid what they’re owed, a skilled wage theft attorney can help recover unpaid wages, penalties, and damages. They can also help protect workers from retaliation for speaking up.

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 often been debated and changed, California workers should understand the most current wage laws that attorneys can use to protect their earnings.

Minimum Wage

As of 2025, the City of Los Angeles’s minimum wage is set at $17.28 per hour, and it applies to most employees working within the city’s limits. However, in unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County, the minimum wage is $17.27 per hour. For all fast-food employees, California has mandated a new minimum wage of $20 per hour.

Any worker in Los Angeles who is paid less than the mandated minimum wage can seek the services of a wage and hour attorney to protect their rights.

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 workweek, or can be applied to the first 8 hours on the seventh consecutive day of a workweek.

If a non-exempt employee works over 12 hours in a single workday or works over 8 hours on the seventh consecutive day of a workweek, they are eligible for double-time pay, at twice their hourly rate.

Paid Sick Leave

According to California Labor Code 246, employees are entitled to paid sick leave if they have worked at least 30 days for the same employer in a year. Sick leave accrues at a rate of 1 hour for every 30 hours worked — so an employee who works 300 hours earns 10 hours of paid sick leave. Employers may limit the use of paid sick leave to 40 hours (or 5 days) per year, but unused leave may carry over to the following year. Employees can begin using accrued sick leave after 90 days of employment.

Denying earned paid sick leave is a common form of wage theft. A Los Angeles wage and hour attorney can evaluate the circumstances and determine whether there is a case for legal action.

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 worked in a single shift and a paid 10-minute rest break for every 4 hours worked in a day.

However, if the employee has worked more than 10 hours, then they are entitled to receive a second unpaid 30-minute meal break and a third, paid 10-minute break. If an employee works beyond these hours without receiving appropriate break time, it may constitute a meal or rest break violation — and the employer can potentially be fined or sued for noncompliance. A wage and hour lawyer can advise employees of their rights and take legal action to protect them.

Common Wage and Hour Violations in Los Angeles

Wage theft is a serious violation of labor rights that cannot be tolerated. Workers must understand some of the most common instances of wage theft so they can recognize the signs and contact a Los Angeles wage and hour lawyer​ to take legal action when necessary.

Minimum Wage Violation

When employers pay their employees less than the legally mandated minimum wage, that is a violation of minimum wage laws. 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. A Los Angeles wage theft lawyer can review the facts to determine whether the law has been broken.

Overtime Violations

Any employee who has worked more than 8 hours in a day or more than 40 hours 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 just pay their employees their regular hourly rate instead of the legally required overtime rate.

All employers must pay all overtime hours to their employees. When they fail to, an unpaid wages attorney may need to take legal action on behalf of the wronged employee.

Meal and Rest Break Violations

California law requires a paid 10-minute rest break for every 4 hours worked. Every employee working more than 5 hours in their shift is entitled to receive an unpaid 30-minute meal break. Anyone who works more than 10 hours is entitled to a second unpaid 30-minute meal break and a third paid rest break. These breaks must be uninterrupted and free from work duties.

Any employer who denies their workers 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 by a Los Angeles wage and hour attorney.

Reimbursement Violations

Employees who use their own money for job-related expenses to perform their duties are entitled to be compensated for their costs. California Labor Code 2802 mandates compensation for workers who purchase work uniforms or travel to another location for work. 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

Some employers incorrectly categorize employees as independent contractors or exempt employees in order to avoid paying benefits, overtime, or other entitlements that are protected under California labor laws. Any employee who is misclassified is then denied basic labor rights such as minimum wage, overtime pay, access to health benefits, workers’ compensation, and even unemployment insurance. This can dramatically impact a worker’s livelihood.

A Los Angeles wage and hour lawyer can take legal action against these employers to secure the money their clients rightfully earned.

How Los Angeles Wage and Hour Lawyers Can Help with Unpaid Wages and Overtime

Victims of wage theft may be entitled to take legal action against their employer to recover unpaid compensation. Lawyers for Justice, P.C.—a respected employment law firm—has a team of experienced and dedicated Los Angeles wage and hour attorneys ready to fight for employees facing unlawful workplace practices.

The firm’s Los Angeles wage theft lawyers perform a wide range of tasks to protect their clients’ rights and hold employers accountable. In addition to filing wage claims, an experienced attorney can:

• Help gather evidence of wage theft
• Review timecards, pay stubs, and employment records
• Identify violations of state and federal labor laws
• Calculate unpaid wages, overtime, or missed break penalties
• Negotiate directly with employers or their attorneys
• File claims with the California Labor Commissioner
• Represent workers in settlement talks or hearings
• Pursue litigation in court if necessary
• Defend clients against retaliation from their employer

Hiring a skilled wage theft attorney in Los Angeles can help employees obtain justice and proper compensation for damages. Schedule a free consultation with Lawyers for Justice, P.C. today, by calling (818) JUSTICE or completing this contact form.

FAQs About Wage and Hour in Los Angeles