Labor Code Violations and Private Attorney General Act Claims

Have you suffered wage loss or other damages due to a labor code violation by your employer? If so, you can contact our San Francisco labor and employment lawyer for guidance on using California’s Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) to file a lawsuit.

Private Attorney General Act Explained

Also known as PAGA, this statute authorizes aggrieved employees to sue employers for Labor Code violations and recover civil penalties for themselves, their colleagues, and the State of California. The main goal of this statute is to promote the enforcement of Labor Codes by allowing private citizens to pursue civil penalties. 75% of the recovery goes to the State and 25% goes to the aggrieved employees. The penalties can be small, but they can add up quickly.

It is also important to note this statute does not only focus on California Labor Codes. Rather, private citizens might also be able to take legal action against employers for health and safety violations in the workplace.

How Employers Violate Labor Laws

Some of the most common ways employers violate labor laws include:

Failure to pay minimum wage: It is unlawful for employers to pay their employees below the minimum wage.

Employee misclassification: California laws are clear about classification in the workplace. If your employer classifies you as an independent contractor but treats you as an employee, you may be able to take action against them for a labor code violation or other associated wage and hour violations. You may also be paying more in taxes than if you were properly classified as an employee.

Making illegal deductions from wages: If an employer makes any deductions to an employee’s paycheck, the deductions must be lawful and agreed upon. Labor and employment laws in California dictate the kind of deductions an employer can or cannot implement. A seasoned employment lawyer in California can help determine if the deduction falls within legal limits.

How a California Employment Lawyer Can Help

As a private citizen, you may be able to take legal action against an employer on behalf of yourself, your coworkers, and the State of California. Our experienced employment law attorney in San Francisco can help you navigate these complex processes and help you build a strong case to prove your claims. Most importantly, a seasoned attorney can help you understand the best legal pathway to take, depending on the circumstances of your case.

Have Questions? Speak to Our Knowledgeable Labor Code Violation Lawyer in San Francisco Today

If you have evidence indicating your employer has committed one or more labor code violations, take action today by contacting Melody Rissell, a reputable and respected labor code violation lawyer practicing in San Francisco, California. Melody may be able to help you in filing a claim to pursue these penalties and other damages. schedule a complimentary and confidential case review.