Unpaid Wages Lawyer in Inglewood, California
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A lot of people in Inglewood work hard and do not always get paid what they are owed. Whether you work at Centinela Hospital, in one of the hotels near LAX, at a restaurant on Century Boulevard, or at a retail store near the Forum, your employer is required by California law to pay you correctly for every hour you work. When they do not, you have the right to get that money back.
If you are looking for an unpaid wages lawyer in Inglewood, Setareh Law Group is ready to help. We have over 25 years of experience in California employment law and have recovered more than $1 Billion for workers across Los Angeles County. We work on a 100% contingency basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case. Call us today at (310) 888-7771 for a free case evaluation.
Inglewood Workers Have Strong Rights Under California Law
Inglewood has a workforce of over 53,000 people. The top industries are healthcare, retail and food service. A large number of Inglewood workers also work at or near Los Angeles International Airport, in hotel and hospitality jobs, and in security and ground services. These are industries where wage violations happen constantly.
California has some of the strongest wage laws in the country. Employers here must pay daily overtime, provide meal and rest breaks, issue final paychecks on time, and compensate workers for every minute worked. When they cut corners, workers lose real money.
Setareh Law Group is based in Beverly Hills and serves workers throughout Los Angeles County. As your unpaid wages lawyer in Inglewood, we know how employers in this area operate and we know how to make them pay.
Why Inglewood Workers Choose Setareh Law Group
- 25 Years on the Employee Side. Attorney Shaun Setareh has never represented employers. Every case we take is for the worker.
- Over $1 Billion Recovered. We have the results to back up what we do. We go to trial when employers refuse to settle fairly.
- No Upfront Cost. You do not pay us anything unless we recover money for you.
English and Spanish Support. Our team assists clients in both languages. - Class Action Experience. When the same employer has shorted an entire group of workers, we can file a class action that covers everyone at once.
Common Unpaid Wage Violations in Inglewood
Overtime Violations in Hotel and Hospitality Jobs
Inglewood sits directly next to LAX and has a large concentration of hotels along Century Boulevard and near SoFi Stadium. Housekeepers, front desk staff, servers and kitchen workers in these properties regularly work more than 8 hours in a day without receiving proper overtime pay. California requires overtime at 1.5 times your regular rate for any hours beyond 8 in a single workday, not just beyond 40 in a week. Many employers in this industry only calculate overtime on a weekly basis and shortchange workers significantly. See our overtime and unpaid wages page for more.
Meal and Rest Break Violations
California requires a 30 minute unpaid meal break for every 5 hours worked and a 10 minute paid rest break for every 4 hours. If your employer skips or cuts short either of those breaks, they owe you one full hour of pay for every single violation. In hospitals, restaurants, hotels and retail stores across Inglewood, these violations happen constantly and workers almost never receive the premium pay they are owed. Learn more on our break violations page.
Off the Clock Work
Security workers doing post briefings before their shift is recorded. Retail workers completing closing tasks after clocking out. Airport ground crew doing pre shift equipment checks on their own time. All of that is compensable time under California law. If your employer regularly expects work before or after the clock, you are likely owed back pay.
Healthcare Worker Underpayment
Centinela Hospital Medical Center is one of Inglewood’s largest employers. Healthcare workers here are protected by specific California wage orders that govern on call time, shift differentials and break requirements. When a nurse or aide is required to remain available during a meal break, that time often must be paid. When shift differentials are calculated incorrectly, the underpayment compounds over years.
Final Paycheck Delays
When you are fired in California your employer must hand you your final paycheck on the spot. When you resign with at least 72 hours notice it is due on your last day. Every day that check is late, your employer owes you a full day of wages as a waiting time penalty under California Labor Code section 203, up to 30 days.
How We Handle Your Wage Claim
- Free Evaluation. Call (310) 888-7771 or submit online. An attorney reviews your case at no charge.
- Evidence Review. We help you gather pay stubs, time records and any communications with your employer. Missing records can actually work in your favor since employers are legally required to keep them.
- Calculate Your Damages. We add up everything owed including back wages, overtime, break premiums, waiting time penalties and interest.
- Demand and Negotiate. We send a formal demand to your employer. Many cases resolve before any lawsuit is filed.
- File Your Claim. If your employer refuses to pay, we file in the right court or with the California Labor Commissioner depending on your situation.
- We Handle Everything. You pay nothing unless we win.
Where Are Inglewood Wage Cases Filed?
- Los Angeles Superior Court | Inglewood Courthouse (One Regent St., Inglewood, CA 90301): The primary local courthouse for civil matters in Inglewood and the surrounding area. Most individual wage claims for Inglewood workers are filed here.
- Los Angeles Superior Court | Stanley Mosk Courthouse (111 N. Hill St., Los Angeles, CA 90012): Class action wage cases and larger unlimited civil claims are typically filed at the main downtown courthouse.
- California Labor Commissioner’s Office (DLSE) | Los Angeles District Office (320 W. 4th St., Suite 450, Los Angeles, CA 90013): Workers can file a Berman hearing claim directly for unpaid wages, overtime and final paycheck violations without filing a lawsuit.
- U.S. District Court | Central District of California (350 W. 1st St., Los Angeles, CA 90012): Used for federal FLSA claims and large multi plaintiff class actions.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How long do I have to file an unpaid wage claim in Inglewood?
You generally have three years under California state law and four years if the claim is based on a written contract. Federal FLSA claims carry a two year deadline that extends to three years for willful violations. The clock runs from each missed payment so acting sooner typically means recovering more.
2. Can I file a wage claim if I was paid in cash?
Yes. Being paid in cash does not change your rights. California employers must pay minimum wage, overtime and maintain accurate payroll records regardless of how they deliver your pay. Cash payment is sometimes used to hide underpayment, which can itself be evidence of a violation.
3. Can undocumented workers file unpaid wage claims in California?
Yes. California law protects all workers regardless of immigration status. The Labor Commissioner and courts have been consistent on this point. An employer who tries to use a worker’s immigration status to avoid paying wages is committing an additional violation.
4. My employer only pays overtime after 40 hours a week. Is that correct in California?
No. California requires overtime at 1.5 times your rate for hours beyond 8 in a single workday. Federal law uses a weekly threshold but California goes further. If you regularly work more than 8 hours in a day without daily overtime pay you are likely being underpaid.
5. Can I be fired for reporting unpaid wages?
No. California Labor Code sections 98.6 and 1102.5 prohibit retaliation against workers who assert their wage rights or file a complaint with the Labor Commissioner. If your employer fires or demotes you for speaking up, that creates a separate legal claim. See our retaliation page for more information.
6. What is the minimum wage in Inglewood?
Inglewood follows the statewide California minimum wage of $16.00 per hour for most workers. Fast food workers are entitled to at least $20.00 per hour under AB 1228. Healthcare workers at qualifying facilities have higher minimum rates under SB 525. The applicable rate depends on your specific job and employer.
7. Does it cost anything to speak with an unpaid wages lawyer in Inglewood?
At Setareh Law Group the initial evaluation is completely free. We handle all unpaid wage cases on contingency, meaning our fee comes only from what we recover for you. There are no upfront costs. You can reach us any time at (310) 888-7771.
8. Can my coworkers and I file a claim together?
Yes. When an employer applies the same unlawful practice across multiple workers, a class action or PAGA representative claim may be available. These collective actions are often the most effective way to hold an employer accountable, especially in industries like hospitality and healthcare where violations affect large teams.
Contact us today:
📞 Phone: 310-340-2409
✉️ 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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