Unpaid Wages Lawyer in Los Angeles, California
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Every week, thousands of Los Angeles workers clock out without receiving every dollar they rightfully earned. A warehouse worker in the San Fernando Valley misses overtime pay. A restaurant server in Downtown LA has tips skimmed from their paycheck. A home care aide in South LA is never compensated for hours spent on call. These aren’t isolated mistakes, they are wage theft, and they happen at a startling scale in one of the busiest labor markets in the country.
If your employer has shorted your paycheck, denied your overtime, or deducted wages without legal authority, you need an unpaid wages lawyer in Los Angeles who knows California’s complex labor laws and isn’t afraid to hold employers accountable. At Setareh Law Group, we have spent over 25 years doing exactly that, recovering stolen wages for workers across Los Angeles County and all of Southern California.
Our unpaid wages lawyer in Los Angeles has recovered over $1 Billion for California employees. We work on a 100% contingency fee basis, you pay nothing unless we win. Call us today at (310) 888-7771 for a free, no-obligation case evaluation.
Fighting for Unpaid Workers Rights Across Los Angeles
Los Angeles County is home to more than 4.6 million workers across industries ranging from entertainment and technology to logistics, healthcare, hospitality, and construction. It is also, according to the UCLA Labor Center and the California Labor Commissioner’s Office, one of the regions with the highest rates of wage theft in the entire nation. Studies have found that low-wage workers in Los Angeles lose an estimated $1.4 billion per year to wage theft, more than the combined total of all robberies, burglaries, and auto thefts in the county.
Setareh Law Group is based in Beverly Hills and serves workers throughout Los Angeles County from Hollywood and Burbank to Inglewood, Compton, Long Beach, and the Inland Gateway. We understand the specific industries, employers, and wage practices that affect LA workers, and we have the litigation experience to take cases from intake all the way through trial when necessary.
California has some of the strongest wage and hour protections in the country under the California Labor Code, the Industrial Welfare Commission (IWC) Wage Orders, and the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). An experienced unpaid wages lawyer in Los Angeles knows how to use every one of these tools to maximize your recovery.
Why LA Workers Trust Setareh Law for Unpaid Wage Claims
Choosing the right unpaid wages lawyer in Los Angeles can be the difference between recovering everything you’re owed and walking away with nothing. Here’s why workers across LA choose us:
- 25+ Years of California Employment Law Experience. Lead attorney Shaun Setareh has dedicated his career to representing employees, not corporations and has built a track record of significant verdicts and settlements against employers of all sizes.
- Over $1 Billion Recovered. Our results speak for themselves. We have recovered substantial compensation for workers in wage theft, overtime violations, missed break claims, and class action lawsuits.
- Bilingual Legal Support. Los Angeles is one of the most diverse cities in the world. Our team offers legal services in both English and Spanish so that every client can fully understand their rights and options.
- No-Win, No-Fee Representation. You don’t need money upfront to fight back. We cover all case costs and only get paid if we win your case.
- Class Action Capability. If your employer has violated wage laws against a group of employees, we have the resources to pursue class action litigation that can benefit you and your coworkers simultaneously.
What Are the Most Common Unpaid Wage Violations in Los Angeles?
Los Angeles’s sprawling economy creates wage violation patterns unique to its industries. If you believe your employer has broken California’s wage laws, an unpaid wages lawyer in Los Angeles from our firm can review your situation and identify the specific violations at play. Here are the most common claims we handle:
Unpaid Overtime
California law requires employers to pay 1.5x your regular rate for any hours worked over 8 in a single day or over 40 in a workweek, and double time for hours over 12 in a day. This is stricter than federal law. In industries like logistics, construction, and healthcare, all dominant in Los Angeles, illegal overtime practices are widespread. Visit our unpaid wages and overtime page to learn more.
Off the Clock Work
Many LA employers particularly in retail, restaurants, and security require employees to perform tasks before clocking in or after clocking out. This includes setup time, security checks, cleaning, or answering manager calls after hours. All of this compensable time must be paid under California law.
Meal and Rest Break Violations
California mandates a 30-minute unpaid meal break for every 5 hours worked and a 10-minute paid rest break for every 4 hours. When employers skip, cut short, or interrupt these breaks without providing a one-hour “premium pay,” they owe you compensation. Learn more about break violation claims.
Minimum Wage Violations
As of 2024, the minimum wage in Los Angeles city is $17.28 per hour for most employers, higher than the statewide minimum. Workers in the fast food, retail, and hospitality sectors are frequently underpaid, especially when illegal deductions are made from their checks.
Final Paycheck Violations
When an employee is fired, they are entitled to their final paycheck immediately upon termination. When they resign with at least 72 hours notice, payment is due on the final day. Employers who delay face waiting-time penalties of one full day’s wages for every day the check is late, up to 30 days, under California Labor Code § 203.
Misclassification as Independent Contractor
Los Angeles has a significant gig economy workforce like delivery drivers, rideshare operators, freelancers, and home service workers. Under California’s strict ABC test (established by Dynamex and codified in AB 5), many workers classified as independent contractors are legally employees entitled to full wage protections. If you’ve been misclassified, you may be owed back wages, overtime, and missed benefit contributions.
How Does an Unpaid Wages Lawyer in Los Angeles Help You Recover ?
Understanding the legal process can help reduce anxiety. Here’s how Setareh Law Group typically handles an unpaid wage claim in Los Angeles:
- Free Case Evaluation: You call us at (310) 888-7771 or submit your information online. One of our attorneys reviews your situation, no charge, no obligation.
- Investigation: We gather your pay stubs, timesheets, employment agreements, and any communications with your employer. We identify all potential violations and calculate your full damages, including penalties and interest.
- Demand & Negotiation: In many cases, we send a formal demand letter to your employer. Employers who face clear liability often prefer to settle rather than litigate.
- Filing a Claim: If negotiations fail, we file with the California Labor Commissioner’s Office (the DLSE), the Los Angeles Superior Court, or federal court, depending on the nature and scope of your claims.
- Litigation & Resolution: We handle all court filings, depositions, and hearings. Our goal is always to maximize your recovery as efficiently as possible.
Throughout this entire process, you pay nothing. As your unpaid wages lawyer in Los Angeles, we front all costs and collect our fee only from the recovery we win for you.
Where Are Unpaid Wage Cases Filed in Los Angeles County?
Knowing where your case will be heard is part of being prepared. Depending on the nature and amount of your claim, an unpaid wage case in Los Angeles may be filed in one of the following venues:
- Los Angeles Superior Court | Stanley Mosk Courthouse (111 N. Hill St., Los Angeles, CA 90012):
The primary civil courthouse for Los Angeles County. Most wage and hour lawsuits seeking over $25,000 in damages are filed here in the Unlimited Civil Division. - Los Angeles Superior Court | Limited Civil / Small Claims Divisions:
For smaller claims under $25,000, cases may be filed in limited civil or small claims court at various branch courthouses throughout the county, including the Van Nuys, Compton, Torrance, and Pasadena courthouses. - 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 wage claim directly with the Labor Commissioner for unpaid wages, overtime, and final pay violations without filing a lawsuit. This is often a faster path for straightforward claims. - U.S. District Court, Central District of California (350 W. 1st St., Los Angeles, CA 90012):
For claims brought under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), or for large multi-plaintiff class actions with federal questions, cases are filed in federal court.
Our unpaid wages lawyer in Los Angeles has experience practicing in all of these venues and will file your claim in the jurisdiction most favorable to your specific situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How long do I have to file an unpaid wage claim in Los Angeles?
Generally, California employees have three years to file a wage claim under state law (California Code of Civil Procedure § 338), and four years for claims based on a written employment contract. For claims brought under the federal FLSA, the deadline is typically two years, extended to three years if the violation was willful. The clock typically starts from the date of each missed payment, so acting sooner preserves more of your recovery.
2. Can I file an unpaid wage claim in Los Angeles if I was paid in cash?
Yes. Being paid in cash does not affect your legal rights as an employee in California. Your employer is still required to pay at least minimum wage, provide overtime pay, and keep accurate payroll records, regardless of how wages are delivered. Cash payment is sometimes used to disguise underpayment or avoid records, which can itself be a violation.
3. What if I’m undocumented, can I still recover unpaid wages in Los Angeles?
Yes. California law protects all workers regardless of immigration status. The California Labor Commissioner’s Office and the courts have consistently held that undocumented workers are entitled to the same wage protections as any other employee. An employer who tries to use immigration status to avoid paying wages is committing an additional violation of California law.
4. My employer says I’m an independent contractor, do I still have wage rights?
Possibly. Under California’s ABC test (established by Dynamex Operations West v. Superior Court and AB 5), many workers labeled as independent contractors are legally employees. If your employer controls how you work, your work is central to their business, and you don’t operate an independent trade, you may be misclassified and entitled to overtime, minimum wage protections, and expense reimbursement.
5. What is the minimum wage in Los Angeles right now?
As of 2024, the citywide minimum wage in the City of Los Angeles is $17.28 per hour. The statewide California minimum wage is $16.00 per hour. Certain industries, such as healthcare and fast food, have higher sectoral minimums under recently enacted California laws. Workers in unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County follow the county rate, which tracks closely with the city rate.
6. Can my employer retaliate against me for making an unpaid wage claim?
No. California Labor Code § 98.6 and § 1102.5 strictly prohibit retaliation against workers who assert their wage rights, file a claim with the Labor Commissioner, or cooperate in a wage investigation. If your employer retaliates, through demotion, reduced hours, termination, or harassment, that creates an additional legal claim against them. Learn more about workplace retaliation claims.
7. How much does it cost to hire an unpaid wages lawyer in Los Angeles?
At Setareh Law Group, there is no upfront cost. We handle unpaid wage cases entirely on contingency, meaning our fee is a percentage of the amount we recover for you, and only charged if we win. Your initial case evaluation is completely free. You can reach us at 310-807-6658.
8. What evidence do I need to support my unpaid wage claim?
Helpful evidence includes pay stubs, bank deposit records, timesheets or time-tracking screenshots, text messages or emails from supervisors about hours worked, offer letters, and any written policies on pay. However, even without documentation, a claim may still proceed California employers are legally required to maintain payroll records, and their failure to do so can be held against them in court. Our attorneys can guide you through what to gather.
9. Can multiple employees at my Los Angeles employer file a claim together?
Yes. If your employer has violated wage laws against multiple employees using the same policy or practice, a class action lawsuit may be the most effective path. California also allows PAGA (Private Attorneys General Act) claims, which let an employee sue on behalf of themselves and other aggrieved employees to recover civil penalties on top of unpaid wages.
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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