Unpaid Wages Lawyer in Pasadena, California
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Pasadena is one of the most economically diverse cities in the San Gabriel Valley. It is home to world class research institutions, a major regional hospital, a growing technology sector, and a wide range of small businesses along Colorado Boulevard and South Lake Avenue. Workers in every one of those settings can find themselves shortchanged by an employer who does not follow California’s wage laws.
A research assistant at a Caltech affiliated lab logs extra hours that never appear on a paycheck. A certified nursing assistant at Huntington Memorial Hospital covers back to back shifts without proper overtime pay. A security contractor stationed at a Pasadena office park is clocked out before a mandatory briefing ends. These situations happen more than most workers realize, and many people in Pasadena never report them because they do not know their rights or feel they cannot afford a lawyer.
If your employer owes you money, you need an unpaid wages lawyer in Pasadena who understands California employment law and is ready to fight for you. At Setareh Law Group we have spent over 25 years recovering wages for California workers and have won back more than $1 Billion on their behalf. We take every case on a 100% contingency basis so there is nothing to pay unless we win. Call us today at (310) 888-7771 for a free case evaluation.
Standing Up for Workers Across Los Angeles County Including Pasadena
Pasadena sits in the northeastern corner of Los Angeles County and draws workers from across the San Gabriel Valley. The city’s labor force of roughly 100,000 people is spread across a wide range of industries, with the majority employed in professional, managerial, technical, sales and clerical positions. That same workforce is protected by some of the strongest wage laws in the United States under the California Labor Code and the Industrial Welfare Commission Wage Orders.
The two largest employers in Pasadena are the California Institute of Technology and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, which is operated by Caltech under contract to NASA. Beyond those anchor institutions, Pasadena’s economy includes major employers in healthcare, engineering, financial services, security and retail. Workers across all of these industries deserve to be paid correctly for every hour they work.
Setareh Law Group is based in Beverly Hills and serves workers throughout Los Angeles County including Pasadena and the surrounding San Gabriel Valley. As your unpaid wages lawyer in Pasadena we bring a thorough understanding of California wage law combined with the litigation experience to see your case through to a real resolution.
Why Pasadena Workers Choose Setareh Law Group
You have options when choosing an employment attorney. Here is why workers in Pasadena and across Los Angeles County consistently choose our firm.
- Over 25 Years of California Employment Law Experience. Attorney Shaun Setareh has spent his entire career on the employee side of the courtroom. He knows how California employers structure their pay practices and exactly how to hold them accountable when those practices cross the line.
- More Than $1 Billion Recovered for Workers. Our track record reflects years of hard fought cases against employers of all sizes including large corporations and government contractors. That history matters when it comes time to negotiate or go to trial.
- No Upfront Fees, Ever. We handle every unpaid wage case on contingency. You owe us nothing unless we recover money for you. There are no hourly fees and no retainer required to get started.
- Bilingual Services in English and Spanish. Pasadena has a large and diverse workforce. Our team communicates with clients in both English and Spanish so that every worker fully understands their rights and what is happening in their case.
In our experience representing workers in the Pasadena area, some of the most consistent violations occur in industries where workers feel a professional obligation not to make noise. Research professionals worry about their next grant or contract. Healthcare workers worry about their next shift assignment. Security personnel worry about losing a post. We want every one of those workers to know that California law protects them and that speaking with an attorney costs them nothing.
What Are the Most Common Unpaid Wage Violations in Pasadena?
Pasadena’s mix of research, healthcare, engineering, education and retail creates specific wage violation patterns that an unpaid wages lawyer in Pasadena needs to recognize. Here are the most common issues we see from workers in this city.
Overtime Violations in Research and Technical Fields
Caltech, JPL and the many technology and engineering firms throughout Pasadena employ large numbers of salaried and hourly workers who regularly work beyond standard hours. California requires 1.5 times the regular pay rate for hours beyond 8 in a single workday and beyond 40 in a workweek, and double time for hours beyond 12 in a day. Workers who are improperly classified as exempt from overtime, or whose overtime is calculated on the wrong base rate, can lose significant money over time. Visit our unpaid wages and overtime page to understand what you may be owed.
Healthcare Worker Wage Violations
Huntington Memorial Hospital and Kaiser Permanente are among the largest employers in Pasadena. Healthcare workers in California are protected by specific wage orders that govern meal periods, rest breaks, on call time, and shift differentials. When a hospital or medical facility fails to relieve a nurse or aide for a required break without providing the mandatory one hour premium pay, that is a wage violation. When on call hours are not compensated at the correct rate, that is another violation. These amounts add up quickly across long careers in healthcare. Learn more about your rights on our meal and rest break violations page.
Misclassification of Workers
Pasadena has a significant number of workers in consulting, engineering and technical services who may be classified as independent contractors when California law treats them as employees. Under California’s ABC test, a worker is presumed to be an employee unless the hiring business can demonstrate that the worker is free from control, performs work outside the usual course of the business, and customarily operates an independent trade. Workers who fail this test and have been misclassified may be owed back overtime, meal and rest break premiums, and expense reimbursements they never received.
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. Employers who interrupt, delay or completely skip these breaks without paying a one hour premium owe that premium for every single occurrence. In fast paced retail environments along Colorado Boulevard and in the hospitality sector around Old Pasadena, these violations are common and often never questioned by workers who do not know the law requires compensation.
Final Paycheck Delays
When a California employer terminates a worker, the final paycheck must be issued immediately on the last day of employment. When a worker resigns with at least 72 hours notice, the final check is due on the final day. Employers who delay that payment owe waiting time penalties equal to a full day of wages for each day the check is late, up to 30 days under California Labor Code section 203. This is one of the most straightforward claims under California law and one that employers regularly violate.
How Does Working With an Unpaid Wages Lawyer in Pasadena Actually Work?
We know that starting a wage claim can feel intimidating, especially if you are still employed by the company in question. Our process is designed to be as clear and low stress as possible from the very first call.
Free Case Evaluation. You call us at (310) 888-7771 or complete our online form. One of our attorneys reviews your situation with no fee and no pressure and tells you honestly whether you have a viable claim.
Gathering Evidence. We help you identify and collect the documentation that supports your claim. Pay stubs, time records, offer letters, text messages from supervisors and employer communications are all helpful. Even if records are missing, California employers are legally required to maintain them and their failure to do so can actually support your case.
Calculating What You Are Owed. We calculate the full value of your claim including back wages, overtime, meal and rest break premiums, waiting time penalties and applicable interest. Many workers are surprised by the total when all categories are properly counted.
Sending a Demand. In many cases we present your employer with a formal demand and attempt to negotiate a fair settlement before any lawsuit is filed. Employers with clear exposure often prefer to resolve claims quickly when they understand the full scope of what they owe.
Filing Your Claim. If your employer refuses to pay, we file your claim in the appropriate venue, whether that is the California Labor Commissioner’s Office, the Los Angeles Superior Court or federal court depending on the specific facts of your case.
Resolution. We manage every aspect of the litigation process so you can focus on your life. You pay nothing unless we successfully recover money for you.
Where Are Unpaid Wage Cases Filed for Pasadena Workers?
Pasadena is located in Los Angeles County. Depending on the size and nature of your claim, your case may be heard in one of the following venues.
Los Angeles Superior Court | Pasadena Courthouse (300 E. Walnut St., Pasadena, CA 91101):
This courthouse serves the Pasadena and East San Gabriel Valley area and handles limited and unlimited civil matters including wage claims. For many Pasadena workers this is the most convenient local venue for their case.
Los Angeles Superior Court | Stanley Mosk Courthouse (111 N. Hill St., Los Angeles, CA 90012):
Larger wage cases and class action filings are typically handled at the main downtown courthouse in the Unlimited Civil Division.
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. This administrative route is often faster than civil court for straightforward claims.
Our unpaid wages lawyer in Pasadena will advise you on the filing strategy that best fits your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How long do I have to file an unpaid wage claim in Pasadena?
California employees generally have three years to file a wage claim under state law and four years when the claim is based on a written employment contract. Federal FLSA claims typically carry a two year deadline that can extend to three years when the violation was willful. Because the statute of limitations runs from each individual missed payment, the sooner you act the more of your back pay you can potentially recover.
2. I work at a research institution in Pasadena. Am I covered by California overtime laws?
Most likely yes. California overtime protections apply broadly and the exemptions are narrowly defined. Many workers at research institutions are classified as exempt based on professional or administrative exemptions that do not actually apply to their job duties. Whether a worker qualifies for an overtime exemption depends on their specific salary, the nature of their daily work, and how much time they spend on exempt versus non exempt tasks. An attorney can review your specific situation.
3. Can I file a wage claim in Pasadena if I signed an arbitration agreement?
Possibly. California courts have placed limits on how arbitration agreements can be used to prevent workers from pursuing wage claims, particularly under the Private Attorneys General Act, which allows employees to bring representative claims for Labor Code violations that cannot always be forced into arbitration. The enforceability of any specific arbitration clause depends on its exact terms and current California law. An employment attorney can review your agreement and advise you on your options.
4. What is the minimum wage in Pasadena right now?
Pasadena is subject to the statewide California minimum wage which is currently $16.00 per hour for most employers. Certain industry specific minimums are higher. For example, healthcare workers at facilities with 25 or more employees are entitled to a higher minimum wage under SB 525 which took effect in 2024. Workers in the fast food sector are covered by a $20 per hour sectoral minimum under AB 1228. If you are unsure which rate applies to your job an employment attorney can help you find out.
5. My employer has not paid me my final check. What are my options?
If you were terminated your employer was required to issue your final paycheck immediately on your last day. If you resigned with at least 72 hours notice the check was due on your final working day. Every calendar day the 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 a maximum of 30 days. You can file a Berman hearing claim directly with the California Labor Commissioner’s Office or pursue the claim through a lawsuit with the help of an attorney.
6. Can I be retaliated against for reporting unpaid wages in Pasadena?
No. California Labor Code sections 98.6 and 1102.5 make it illegal for an employer to retaliate against a worker who reports unpaid wages, files a claim with the Labor Commissioner, or participates in a wage investigation. Retaliation can include termination, demotion, reduction in hours, schedule changes and other forms of adverse treatment. If your employer retaliates against you for asserting your wage rights that creates a separate legal claim on top of the original wage violation. You can read more on our workplace retaliation page.
7. Does it cost money to hire an unpaid wages lawyer in Pasadena?
At Setareh Law Group your initial evaluation is completely free. We represent unpaid wage clients on a contingency fee basis meaning our fee is a percentage of what we recover for you and is only charged if we win. There are no upfront payments and no hourly billing. You can reach us any time at (310) 888-7771.
8. What if my coworkers and I were all underpaid by the same employer?
When an employer applies the same unlawful pay practice to a group of employees a class action lawsuit may be available. California also allows PAGA claims which permit one employee to file a representative action seeking civil penalties on behalf of all aggrieved workers at the same employer. These collective claims are often the most powerful tool available when individual amounts may seem modest but the employer’s conduct was widespread and consistent. Our firm has experience handling both class actions and PAGA cases across Los Angeles County.
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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