Unpaid Wages Attorney in Fresno
Recovering stolen wages, overtime, and tips for hardworking Fresno employees.
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Fresno is the economic heart of California’s Central Valley, powered by agriculture, healthcare, logistics, retail, and food processing. Workers in this region labor long hours in warehouses, fields, hospitals, and factories, but many are not paid what they have earned. Setareh Law Group has represented California employees for over 25 years, holding employers accountable when they violate California wage and hour laws by denying overtime, missing meal breaks, misclassifying workers, or simply refusing to pay for time worked.
If your employer has denied you wages, failed to pay overtime, forced you to work off the clock, or taken your tips, you have legal rights. This page explains how unpaid wage claims work in Fresno, what deadlines apply, and how Setareh Law Group can help you recover the money you have earned.
Key Information for Fresno Workers Facing Unpaid Wages
- Most common wage violations in Fresno: unpaid overtime, missed meal and rest breaks, misclassification of agricultural workers, and off the clock work in warehouses.
- Where cases are filed: Fresno County Superior Court 1100 Van Ness Ave, Fresno, CA 93724.
- Statute of limitations for wage claims: Three years for unpaid wages, four years for penalties under California Business and Professions Code Section 17208.
Our Office Location Serving Fresno Remotely
Our law office is located in Beverly Hills at 420 N Camden Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210, approximately 220 miles from Fresno. We represent Fresno workers through phone, video conferencing, and in person meetings at the Fresno County Superior Court or by appointment. We serve all of California from this single physical office.
Firm Background at a Glance
Setareh Law Group is an employment law firm founded in 1999 by Chaim Shaun Setareh (California Bar Number 204514), headquartered at 420 N Camden Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210, representing employees throughout California in unpaid wages, overtime violations, meal break claims, misclassification, and wage theft cases. You can verify his bar status through the State Bar of California attorney search.
Major Employers in Fresno
Employer | Industry | Fresno Area Employees |
Community Regional Medical Center | Healthcare | 5,000+ |
Fresno Unified School District | Education | 5,000+ |
City of Fresno | Government | 3,500+ |
Amazon Fresno | Logistics | 2,500+ |
Foster Farms | Food Processing | 2,000+ |
Understanding California Wage and Hour Laws
California has some of the strongest wage and hour laws in the country. These laws protect workers from exploitation and ensure they are paid fairly for their time and labor. The California Labor Commissioner’s Office (DLSE) is the state agency that enforces these laws. An unpaid wages attorney in Fresno can help you understand these laws and enforce your rights.
Key California wage laws include
- Minimum wage requirements that are higher than federal law
- Overtime pay at 1.5 times the regular rate for hours worked over 8 in a day or 40 in a week
- Double time pay for hours worked over 12 in a day
- Meal break requirements of 30 minutes for shifts over 5 hours
- Rest break requirements of 10 minutes for every 4 hours worked
- Accurate wage statements showing hours worked, rates paid, and deductions
- Final paychecks that must be provided immediately upon termination
If your employer violated any of these laws, you may be owed unpaid wages. An unpaid wages attorney in Fresno can help you calculate what you are owed. For more information, see our wage and hour lawyers and California labor code violations pages.
Common Types of Wage Violations in Fresno
Fresno workers face many types of wage violations. Recognizing these violations is the first step toward recovering your unpaid wages.
Common wage violations in Fresno include
- Employers failing to pay overtime for hours worked over 8 in a day or 40 in a week
- Employers forcing workers to work off the clock before or after their shifts
- Employers denying mandatory meal breaks or rest breaks
- Employers misclassifying employees as independent contractors to avoid paying benefits and overtime
- Employers failing to reimburse employees for business expenses under Labor Code § 2802
- Employers not providing accurate itemized wage statements under Labor Code Section 226
- Employers failing to pay all wages due upon termination including accrued vacation time
- Employers taking illegal deductions from paychecks
- Employers failing to pay minimum wage
If you experienced any of these violations, you should contact an unpaid wages attorney in Fresno as soon as possible.
Minimum Wage Requirements in Fresno
California’s minimum wage applies to all workers in Fresno. As of 2025, the minimum wage for all employers regardless of size is $16.50 per hour for all workers. The U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division provides federal minimum wage information, but California’s rates are higher.
Important minimum wage facts:
- There is no exception for small employers in California
- Tipped workers must be paid the full minimum wage; tips cannot count toward minimum wage
- Agricultural workers are entitled to the same minimum wage as other workers
- Piece rate workers must be paid at least minimum wage for each hour worked
- Employers cannot pay less than minimum wage even if the employee agrees
If your employer paid you less than minimum wage, you can recover the difference plus penalties and interest. An unpaid wages attorney in Fresno can help you file a claim.
Overtime Pay Violations Are Common in Fresno
Overtime violations are among the most common wage claims in Fresno. Many employers misclassify workers as exempt from overtime or simply refuse to pay overtime rates.
California overtime rules
- Overtime pay at 1.5 times the regular rate for all hours worked over 8 in a workday
- Overtime pay at 1.5 times the regular rate for all hours worked over 40 in a workweek
- Double time pay at 2 times the regular rate for all hours worked over 12 in a workday
- Double time pay at 2 times the regular rate for all hours worked over 8 on the seventh consecutive day of work
Examples of overtime violations
- An employer requires you to work 10 hour days but only pays straight time for hours 9 and 10
- An employer tells you to clock out but continue working off the clock
- An employer misclassifies you as exempt from overtime when your job does not qualify
- An employer averages your hours over two weeks to avoid paying overtime
An unpaid wages attorney in Fresno can help you recover unpaid overtime wages going back up to three years. See our unpaid overtime lawyer and best unpaid overtime lawyers in California pages.
Off the Clock Work and Unpaid Hours
Many Fresno employers require workers to perform tasks off the clock without pay. This practice is illegal under California law.
Common off the clock violations include
- Requiring employees to clock out before finishing tasks
- Requiring employees to arrive early for shift meetings without pay
- Requiring employees to stay late to clean or close without pay
- Requiring employees to answer work emails or calls after hours without pay
- Requiring employees to complete training or paperwork off the clock
All time an employee is under the employer’s control must be paid, even if the employer did not authorize the time. An unpaid wages attorney in Fresno can help you recover wages for off the clock work.
Final Paycheck Violations in Fresno
When an employee is terminated or quits, California law requires employers to provide final paychecks within strict deadlines. Many Fresno employers violate these deadlines.
Final paycheck deadlines
- If you are fired or laid off, your final paycheck must be provided immediately at the time of termination
- If you quit with at least 72 hours notice, your final paycheck must be provided on your last day
- If you quit without notice, your final paycheck must be provided within 72 hours
Waiting time penalties
If your employer fails to provide your final paycheck on time, they owe waiting time penalties under Labor Code § 203 . The penalty is one day of pay for each day the paycheck is late, up to 30 days. An unpaid wages attorney in Fresno can help you recover these penalties. See our final paycheck law in California and waiting time penalty for final wages pages.
Statute of Limitations for Unpaid Wage Claims
Wage claims have strict deadlines. Missing your deadline permanently bars you from recovering your unpaid wages.
Statute of limitations for wage claims
- Unpaid wages including overtime and minimum wage: 3 years under Code of Civil Procedure Section 338
- Penalties including meal break penalties and waiting time penalties: 1 year for administrative claims, 3 years for civil lawsuits
- Business and Professions Code Section 17200 claims for unfair competition: 4 years
- Federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) claims: 2 years for most violations, 3 years for willful violations
Do not wait to contact an unpaid wages attorney in Fresno. Evidence disappears and deadlines pass quickly.
What Damages Can You Recover in an Unpaid Wage Case?
California law allows workers to recover significant damages when employers violate wage and hour laws.
Types of compensation available
- Unpaid wages including all overtime, minimum wage, and regular wages that were not paid
- Meal break penalties of one hour of pay for each missed meal break
- Rest break penalties of one hour of pay for each missed rest break
- Waiting time penalties of up to 30 days of pay for late final paychecks
- Expense reimbursements under Labor Code Section 2802
- Attorneys fees and court costs which your employer pays if you win
- Interest on unpaid wages
Setareh Law Group has recovered over one billion dollars for California workers, including millions in unpaid wage and overtime cases. See our unpaid wages lawyer and wage theft lawyers pages.
Local Resources for Unpaid Wage Claims in Fresno
Fact 1 The Fresno County Superior Court at 1100 Van Ness Ave, Fresno, CA 93724 handles civil wage and hour cases for Fresno County. The courthouse is located in downtown Fresno.
Fact 2 The nearest DLSE Labor Commissioner office for Fresno workers is located at 2550 Mariposa Mall, Suite 3010, Fresno, CA 93721. This office investigates wage claims, issues citations, and holds hearings for unpaid wage disputes.
Fact 3 Fresno County has a large agricultural workforce with over 40,000 farmworkers. Agricultural workers are entitled to the same wage and hour protections as other workers including minimum wage, overtime, and meal breaks. The California Agricultural Labor Relations Board (ALRB) provides additional protections for farmworkers.
Why Choose Setareh Law Group for Your Fresno Unpaid Wage Case
- Over one billion dollars recovered for California workers since 1999, including unpaid wages, overtime violations, and meal break claims.
- 25 plus years of employment law experience. Founding attorney Chaim Shaun Setareh (Bar Number 204514) has practiced exclusively in employment law since 1999.
- Recognized by Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers, and CAALA. These are third party recognitions you can verify.
- Licensed in all California federal courts, including the Eastern District of California which covers Fresno.
- Spanish speaking staff available. Hablamos Español.
- Contingency fee means you pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win or settle your case. If we do not recover for you, you owe us nothing for our time.
Areas We Serve Across California
Counties: Los Angeles | Orange County | San Diego | Riverside | San Bernardino | Ventura | Santa Barbara | San Francisco | Alameda | Contra Costa | Sacramento | San Joaquin | Fresno | Kern | Stanislaus | Tulare | Monterey | Santa Clara | and every other county in the state.
Cities: Los Angeles, Long Beach, Glendale, Pasadena, Irvine, Anaheim, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ontario, San Diego, Chula Vista, Oceanside, Escondido, San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, Fremont, Sacramento, Bakersfield, Stockton, and hundreds more.
FAQ's: Unpaid Wages in Fresno
How long do I have to file an unpaid wage claim in California?
Three years for unpaid wages. Four years for penalties under the Unfair Competition Law. Contact an unpaid wages attorney in Fresno immediately.
What should I do if my employer is not paying me overtime?
Document your hours, save your pay stubs, and contact an unpaid wages attorney in Fresno. You may be owed significant back wages.
Can I sue my employer for unpaid wages if I am still working there?
Yes. You can file a wage claim while still employed. Your employer cannot retaliate against you for asserting your wage rights.
What is the difference between a wage claim and a lawsuit?
A wage claim is filed with the Labor Commissioner and does not require a lawyer. A lawsuit is filed in court. An attorney can help you choose the best option.
How much does it cost to hire an unpaid wages attorney?
Setareh Law Group works on contingency. You pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we recover your unpaid wages.
What evidence do I need for an unpaid wage claim?
Pay stubs, time records, emails, and any other documentation of your hours and pay. Your lawyer can help you gather evidence.
Can I recover waiting time penalties if my final paycheck was late?
Yes. If your employer failed to provide your final paycheck on time, you may recover up to 30 days of waiting time penalties.
What is the difference between exempt and non exempt employees?
Non exempt employees are entitled to overtime. Exempt employees are not. Many employers misclassify workers as exempt to avoid paying overtime.
Take the Next Step
Contact us today:
📞 Phone: 310-888-7771
✉️ Email: help@setarehlaw.com
🌐 Address: 420 N Camden Dr, Beverly Hills CA, 90210
Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Each case is unique, and outcomes depend on specific facts and circumstances. Consult with a qualified California employment attorney to discuss your individual situation.
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