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Wage & Hour Violation Lawyers in Los Angeles
California’s wage and hour laws are among the strongest in the nation — yet employers routinely violate them. From unpaid overtime and missed meal breaks to minimum wage violations and illegal deductions, our attorneys fight to recover every dollar workers are owed.
Schedule a free consultation today to discuss your wage and hour claim with a trusted Los Angeles attorney who will fight to recover your unpaid wages.
What Are Wage and Hour Violations in California?
Wage and hour violations occur when employers fail to comply with California’s comprehensive laws governing employee compensation, working hours, breaks, and pay practices. California’s wage and hour laws — codified primarily in the Labor Code and enforced by the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE) — provide protections that exceed federal requirements.
Common wage and hour violations include failure to pay minimum wage (currently $16.00/hour statewide in 2024, with higher local minimums in Los Angeles and other cities), unpaid overtime, denied or interrupted meal and rest breaks, off-the-clock work, illegal paycheck deductions, failure to provide accurate pay stubs, misclassification of employees as exempt or as independent contractors, and failure to pay final wages on time.
Wage and hour violations can affect individual employees or entire workforces. When violations are systemic, employees may pursue class actions or representative PAGA claims that recover penalties for all affected workers.
At Novian & Novian, our wage and hour attorneys have extensive experience handling individual and multi-plaintiff claims against employers who cheat workers out of their rightful pay. We recover unpaid wages, overtime, penalties, interest, and attorney fees.
How Can a Wage and Hour Lawyer Help?
A wage and hour lawyer helps employees identify violations, calculate unpaid wages and penalties, and pursue claims through the DLSE, PAGA, class actions, or individual lawsuits. These cases often involve complex calculations and require deep knowledge of California’s pay practices laws.
Our wage and hour attorneys at Novian & Novian review your pay records, time sheets, employment agreements, and company policies to identify violations and calculate the full amount you are owed — including unpaid wages, overtime premium, meal and rest break penalties, waiting time penalties, and interest. We pursue recovery through every available channel.
If your employer is not paying you what you are owed, contact Novian & Novian for a free consultation. Our Los Angeles wage and hour lawyers will evaluate your claim and fight to recover your unpaid compensation.
What Our Clients Say
“My employer never paid overtime despite regularly scheduling 50-hour weeks. Novian & Novian calculated every dollar I was owed and recovered years of unpaid overtime plus penalties. They were incredible.”
— Former Client, Los Angeles
“I was consistently denied my meal breaks at a restaurant chain. Novian & Novian filed a PAGA claim that recovered penalties for me and my coworkers. They really know California wage law.”
— Former Client, Hollywood
“Novian & Novian helped me recover unpaid wages after my employer misclassified me as exempt. They explained the law clearly and fought hard for every dollar I was owed.”
— Former Client, Sherman Oaks
Why Should You Choose Novian & Novian for Your Wage and Hour Case?
Novian & Novian has been fighting wage theft in California for over 35 years. We have recovered millions in unpaid wages, overtime, penalties, and interest for workers across every industry.
Our attorneys understand the full scope of California’s wage and hour laws — from the Labor Code and Wage Orders to local minimum wage ordinances and PAGA provisions. We leave no stone unturned in recovering what our clients are owed.
Deep Expertise in California Wage and Hour Law
Our attorneys are experts in the California Labor Code, Industrial Welfare Commission Wage Orders, DLSE enforcement procedures, and PAGA. We identify every violation to maximize your recovery.
Experience With Individual and Multi-Plaintiff Claims
Whether your claim is individual or involves systemic violations affecting many workers, we have the resources and experience to handle it effectively.
Thorough Pay Record Analysis
We meticulously review time records, pay stubs, and employment agreements to calculate the full amount of unpaid wages, overtime, penalties, and interest you are owed.
No Fees Unless We Win
We handle wage and hour cases on a contingency fee basis. Many statutes also require the employer to pay your attorney fees if you prevail.
Holding Employers Accountable for Wage Theft
We believe in making employers pay the full price for wage theft — including penalties that deter future violations and send a message to the industry.
FAQs
Below are answers to some of the most common questions:
What Is the Minimum Wage in California and Los Angeles?
California’s statewide minimum wage is $16.00 per hour as of 2024. The City of Los Angeles has a higher minimum wage. Some industries, like fast food, have even higher minimums under recent legislation. Your employer must pay the highest applicable minimum wage.
Am I Entitled to Overtime Pay?
Non-exempt employees in California are entitled to 1.5x their regular rate for hours worked over 8 in a day or 40 in a week, and 2x their regular rate for hours over 12 in a day or over 8 on the seventh consecutive day worked.
What Are My Meal and Rest Break Rights?
California law requires a 30-minute uninterrupted meal break for shifts over 5 hours (and a second for shifts over 10 hours), plus a paid 10-minute rest break for every 4 hours worked. Employers who deny these breaks owe one hour of premium pay per violation.
What Is Off-the-Clock Work?
Off-the-clock work includes any time your employer requires or permits you to work without compensation — such as working through breaks, answering emails after hours, setting up before clocking in, or completing tasks after clocking out. All such time must be paid.
How Long Do I Have to File a Wage Claim?
In California, you generally have three years to file a wage claim for unpaid wages with the DLSE, and four years for breach of a written employment contract. PAGA claims have a one-year statute of limitations. Consult an attorney promptly.
Can I File a Claim If I Am Undocumented?
Yes. California’s wage and hour laws protect all workers regardless of immigration status. Employers cannot threaten or retaliate against workers based on their immigration status for filing wage claims.
Not Getting Paid What You Are Owed? We Recover Stolen Wages.
Our Los Angeles wage and hour attorneys fight to recover unpaid wages, overtime, and penalties. Contact Novian & Novian for a free consultation today.
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