Receiving just and adequate payment for your time and effort is one of the most fundamental workplace rights—but sometimes in the city of angels that right gets overlooked. Wage theft takes place in the form of the thousands of workers every year that lose their wages through unpaid overtime, breaks to which they are lawfully entitled, or unpaid checks. If you are experiencing any of such problems, a Los Angeles wage and hour lawyer consultation can be your guide through the maze of rights and help you get your deserved pay back.
In 2023, the U.S. Department of Labor reported that the total amount of unpaid wages that were recovered across the nation surpassed $213 million, with California being one of the major states in terms of wage violations. These figures indicate that even with an extensive labor rights framework in place in a state, a considerable number of workers don’t get their due.
Getting acquainted with the wage and hour laws in Los Angeles
The United States labor laws have some of the most pro-worker rights in the world. As of 2025 in Los Angeles, the minimum salary per hour will be $17.27 for major employers and $16.78 for small ones.
In addition, the employees receive the following advantages:
- overtime wages does 1.5 times regular rate after 8 hours a day or 40 hours a week
- double time payment after 12 hours in one day
- 30 minutes meal break for a shift over 5 hours
- 10 minutes rest break for every 4 hours worked
Yet, violations are still a frequent occurrence. A University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Labor Center study estimates that nearly 30% of Los Angeles’ low-wage workers are victims of some form of wage theft annually, which could vary from unpaid working hours to receiving less than they were owed as a final paycheck.
General Wage and Hour Infractions
Non-compliance with the regulations regarding wages and working hours may occur in almost all kinds of jobs in the same manner, for example, from restaurant servers and nurses to tech employees and freelancers. The most common violations are:
- Not being paid for overtime when worked beyond scheduled hours
- Being classified as “independent contractors” or “exempt” employees incorrectly
- Working off-the-clock, like getting ready before shifts or cleaning up after clocking out
- Not being allowed meal or rest breaks and not receiving extra pay
- Final wages being withheld after leaving a job
In Los Angeles, a capable wage and hour attorney can uncover the violations, figure out how much you are entitled to, and go about receiving your unpaid wages.
Why Legal Help Matters
It can be a daunting task to challenge an employer when your income is at stake. A wage and hour lawyer can take care of the entire process—checking your pay records, lodging claims with the California Labor Commissioner, and making offers on your behalf.
To put it differently, most attorneys accept cases on a contingency fee arrangement. Therefore, if the lawsuit does not succeed, the client will not be responsible for any legal fees. Such an approach enables workers to attain justice more easily, not having to be concerned about the upfront payment of attorneys’ fees.
Act Now, or Never
In California, the statute of limitations permits a period of only three years for employees to file wage claims, so the fast-moving legal action is the way to go; it not only conserves the evidence but also the likelihood of getting back all your due money is higher.
If you are absolutely convinced that your employer has not followed the wage and hour laws, do not wait any longer. A wage and hour attorney in Los Angeles will help you to claim your rights, get your money back, and punish the employer.