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California Wage and Hour Claims: What You Should Know

Do you have unpaid wages or overtime issues that your California employer refuses to address? This frustrating situation can make many employees feel helpless and cause real financial stress that may impact their lives. However, working with the best employment lawyer San Diego can help you get the recourse you deserve. Here is what you need to know about wage claims in California.

What Are Wage Claims?

Wage claims help people get compensation when their wages are unfairly managed. For example, employers who refuse to pay minimum wage are breaking the law and can be sued by their employers. Wage theft takes on many different forms in California, including unpaid overtime California issues, refusal to pay wages, and even stealing an employer’s tips.

In these cases, a California employment lawyer is critical because they can help to address these concerns. They can evaluate a case, decide what is happening, and provide legal help. Just as important, they can fight for those who cannot get support otherwise. If you are unsure if you have an accurate wage claim, read through the examples below to know when to contact a lawyer.

Examples of Wage and Hour Claims

Some wage and hour claims can be in many different forms and include problems like:

Unpaid checks or withheld tips
Uncompensated overtime work
Unpaid training, meetings, and lectures
Meals or rest breaks without pay
Failure to pay for work travel
Minimum wage violations
Excessive overtime work

Getting help from a skilled legal professional can ensure you get the compensation you deserve.

How To File Wage and Hour Claims in California

If you plan on filing a wage claim in California, there are a few steps that you need to consider. This process requires the help of a skilled attorney to execute correctly. It also includes multiple methods that can be confusing without help. By working with the best wage claim California protection, you can ensure that you get the support that you deserve. Follow these steps to get started:

Know your Eligibility: Did you make your claim within the statute of limitations for wage and hour claims in California? If not, you may not be able to pursue a lawsuit. These statutes can vary but are usually up to a year or more, depending on the severity of your wage theft.
Contact the Labor Commissioner’s Office: Contact this office and submit your claim with them. They can gauge whether or not you need wages and help create a settlement for your needs. Also, have a lawyer present at these hearings in case you are denied and want to sue your employer.
Pursue a Lawsuit: If you work for an independent contractor, you may need to pursue a separate lawsuit. The Labor Commissioner has no authority over these contractors, which can cause some complications. However, you can work with this office if your employer is mislabeled as an independent contractor.
Present Information Properly: Include all information necessary to your case, including all wage theft concerns, the address, and name of the company, pay stubs from the job, the total number of hours you worked, rest breaks you were denied, and any other data that can help with your case.
Get Updates on Your Claim: You can email or call the closest Division of Labor Standards Enforcement to process your claim. They will help you better understand what is happening and ensure you get the help you want and deserve.

Working with a skilled wage claims lawyer ensures your case goes smoothly. They will ensure that your paperwork is handled correctly, gather evidence, and present it properly. They can also work with your employer to create a fair settlement. In this way, your chance of getting compensation is increased. You might even get damages for financial suffering if your lawyer is skilled enough.

Seek a Legal Help from an Employment Lawyer San Diego

Do not hesitate to call The Law Office of John P. Martin if you need help with your wage and hour claim. We can help you prepare and present your case and will fight to give you the wage support you need and ensure that it never happens again. We aim to ensure that all employees in California get the appropriate compensation for their hard work.

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