Wage & Hour Attorney Los Angeles

Cohen Law Group represents employees across California who have been denied proper pay, including unpaid wages, overtime violations, missed meal and rest breaks, and misclassification. California law imposes strict requirements on employers to compensate employees for all hours worked and to maintain compliant payroll practices.

Wage violations often develop gradually. Small inconsistencies in pay, scheduling, or job classification can accumulate over time into significant financial harm, and many employees do not immediately realize their rights are being compromised.

What are wage and hour violations?

Wage and hour violations occur when an employer fails to comply with laws governing employee pay, hours, and working conditions. California law, including provisions of the California Labor Code, requires employers to pay employees for all hours worked and to follow strict rules on overtime, meal breaks, rest periods, and wage statements.

Common wage and hour violations

Employers cannot avoid their obligations through improper pay practices or policies.

Red flags you should not ignore

Not every pay discrepancy is a legal violation, but consistent or recurring issues should be taken seriously:

• You regularly work more than eight hours a day without overtime pay.
• You miss breaks and receive no additional compensation.
• Your pay does not line up with the hours you actually worked.
• You are expected to finish tasks before clocking in or after clocking out.
• You are called an independent contractor but work under your employer’s control and direction.

How courts evaluate wage and hour claims

• Time records and payroll data
• Employer policies and practices
• Consistency in applying wage rules
• Employee testimony regarding hours worked
• Pay stubs, schedules, and communications

What you may be able to recover

Employees who prevail in wage and hour cases in California may be entitled to:

In many cases, employees are also entitled to recover attorneys' fees and litigation costs.

Which remedies apply depends on the facts of your case. Client reviews and past outcomes do not guarantee a similar result in your matter.

What to do now

1. Keep your own record. Write down your hours, your breaks (or missed breaks), and any work done before or after your shift.
2. Save your pay documents. Pay stubs, schedules, and written communications about hours or pay can serve as important evidence.
3. Do not wait. Statutes of limitation may limit how far back wages can be recovered.

Wage and hour FAQs

When am I owed overtime in California?

Non-exempt employees are entitled to time-and-a-half for hours worked over 8 in a day or 40 in a week, and double time in certain circumstances. Being labeled exempt or a contractor does not settle the question if the label is wrong.

I don't have perfect records of my hours. Can I still bring a claim?

Possibly. Courts look at time records and payroll data, but also at employer policies and practices and at employee testimony regarding hours worked. Pay stubs, schedules, and messages help fill in the picture.

Can I recover attorneys' fees?

In many wage and hour cases, employees are entitled to recover attorneys' fees and litigation costs.

How far back can I recover unpaid wages?

Statutes of limitation may limit how far back wages can be recovered, and different claims may have different deadlines. Delay can reduce or eliminate your recovery, so prompt evaluation matters.

For an overview of employee rights in California, return to Employment Law. To talk about your situation, call (310) 747-1883 or request a free consultation. An attorney reviews every submission and follows up promptly.

Unpaid wages and missed breaks are common in Santa Monica and Manhattan Beach and the South Bay, and we take these claims across California. Meet the attorneys who handle these cases.