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Workers in the City of Angels expect fair compensation for the duties performed at their place of employment. They expect to receive these wages at regular intervals. Unfortunately, after an employee leaves a position or after he is let go, employers may fail to pay the full amount of wages they owe. State labor laws work to protect employees by requiring employers to pay workers fully for completed work. When an employer fails or refuses to pay an employee, California workers have statutory rights empowering them to file a claim against their employers for unpaid wages.

If you are considering filing an unpaid wages claim in Los Angeles, you may wish to seek the assistance of a Los Angeles unpaid wages lawyer. At Levian Law, our firm’s lawyer holds extensive experience fighting to protect workers’ rights throughout Orange County.

Who Has The Right To Wages (Who Is An Employee)?

The California Labor Code distinguishes between employees and independent contractors and generally does not protect independent contractors who perform work on their own terms. An independent contractor is defined as such in Section 3353:

“A person who renders service for a specified recompense for a specified result, under the control of his principal as to the result of his work only and not as to the means by which such result is accomplished.”

Under California’s labor laws, only employees have the right to be paid earned wages. “Wages” include hourly or salaried pay, commissions, piece-rate payments, and payments that vary by project. Additionally, the following benefits that are included as part of an employee’s compensation count as wages:

  • Sick pay
  • Vacation pay
  • Bonuses
  • Other benefits received as part of compensation

Independent contractors receive payments for their work under a contract; thus, these payments are not considered wages under the California Labor Code.

Ways Employers May Violate California’s Wage Laws

California employers may unknowingly or intentionally violate the labor code, resulting in shortchanged employees. Some of the more common violations that impact employee pay are:

  • Minimum wage violations
  • Violations in overtime pay
  • Employee misclassification

Filing An Unpaid Wages Claim

At Levian Law, we understand that deciding to sue your employer is a difficult decision. Our attorney can help you file a lawsuit against your employer for monetary damages. We will provide guidance to ensure you take all the right steps to give your claim the best chance at success.

We can review documentation of your hours and earnings and gather additional evidence to support your claim. We may seek the following evidence to prove your claim:

  • Internal company policies
  • Internal company memos and email correspondence
  • Testimony from coworkers
  • Pay stubs
  • Time clock data
  • Records of your hours worked
  • Surveillance video of employees working off the clock

Under California law, you have just three years to file a claim for unpaid wages. Talk to us as soon as you decide to pursue the compensation you deserve.

Choose Levian Law To Pursue Unpaid Wages

Workers in and around Los Angeles have full protections under federal and state laws to fight for the wages they deserve. Whether you are waiting on your last paycheck or your employer has delayed regular payments, our employment lawyer in L.A. will work with you to resolve your unpaid wages claim as smoothly as possible.

The skilled employment lawyer at Levian Law has years of experience standing up for workers in and around Los Angeles. We take pride in providing quality representation for those facing employment law matters. Trust our team help you recover your wages and hold your employer accountable for wrongful actions. Whether you require a claim or must take your case to court, we strive to provide excellent service. Call (888) 694-8869 or complete our contact form.

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