Employment

California Unpaid Wages Lawyer

Is your employer withholding the wages you earned? At Wilshire Law Firm — an award-winning, nationally recognized team — our attorneys help California workers recover unpaid overtime, minimum wage, and missed break pay. Contact us 24/7 for a free case review with a legal professional — there are no fees unless you get paid.

California Unpaid Wages Lawyer
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Understanding Your Wage & Hour Case

Explore essential resources on your rights, your options, and what to expect — everything you need to navigate the legal process, all in one place.

Unpaid wages are any earnings your employer legally owes you but has failed to pay. Common violations include failure to pay the minimum wage, unpaid overtime, missed meal and rest break premiums, unpaid commissions or bonuses, off-the-clock work, and illegal paycheck deductions. Under California law, workers are generally entitled to overtime at 1.5 times their regular rate after 8 hours in a day or 40 hours in a week (California Labor Code §510). If any of this sounds familiar, a legal professional can review your pay records during a free case review.

Wilshire Law Firm is an award-winning, nationally recognized team that helps California workers recover the money they earned. Our attorneys review your pay records and employment agreements, explain your rights under California law, and build your case for negotiation or litigation — including claims for unpaid overtime, minimum wage, and break premiums. We handle every conversation with your employer and their lawyers, and there are no fees unless you get paid.

Workers can generally recover the full amount of wages owed plus additional penalties and interest. This commonly includes unpaid minimum wage and overtime (Labor Code §1194), meal and rest break premiums of one hour's pay per violation (Labor Code §226.7), waiting-time penalties of up to 30 days' wages for former employees (Labor Code §203), and interest and attorney's fees. Because every case is unique, a legal professional can calculate what you may be owed during a free case review.

No — retaliation for asserting your wage rights is illegal in California. Your employer generally cannot fire, demote, cut hours, or otherwise punish you for reporting unpaid wages or filing a claim (Labor Code §98.6). If you have already faced retaliation, you may have an additional claim. A legal professional can review what happened and explain your options. Learn more about workplace retaliation.

In most California unpaid wage cases you have three years to file a claim for Labor Code violations such as unpaid overtime and minimum wage. Claims based on a written contract generally allow four years, and unfair-competition claims under Business & Professions Code §17200 also carry a four-year window. Because deadlines vary and missing one can end your claim, it's best to speak with a legal professional early. Explore our broader wage and hour practice.

Client Reviews


“Wilshire Law Firm was very fast responding to me about my case… they were very nice and helpful and made sure I understood all of the facts. I would recommend [Wilshire Law Firm] for anyone who is looking for the best; they are number one. Thank you Wilshire and staff for making things feel easier.”

Angela B.

Wage & Hour

$6.8M

San Bernardino County wage and hour class action settlement: a class of employees alleged their employer failed to pay wages owed and sought related penalties.

Wage & Hour

$5.5M

Oakland wage and hour class action settlement: senior living facility employees alleged unpaid wages, meal and rest break violations and unreimbursed expenses in class and representative claims.

Wage & Hour

$4.0M

Hawthorne wage and hour class action settlement: a manufacturer's hourly employees alleged missed rest breaks, short or late meal periods and unpaid wages, plus unreimbursed work expenses.

Wage & Hour

$3.9M

Newport Beach wage and hour class action settlement: hourly manufacturing plant employees alleged late and interrupted meal and rest breaks and sought unpaid premium pay.

Wage & Hour

$3.5M

Camarillo wage and hour class action settlement: hourly employees alleged meal and rest period violations and sought unpaid wages plus the related premiums.

Wage & Hour

$3.5M

Alameda County wage and hour class action settlement: hourly workers at a security systems company alleged unpaid wages and meal and rest period violations, and sought break premiums.

Wage & Hour

$3.3M

Irvine wage and hour class action settlement: hourly employees of a products company alleged they were denied compliant meal and rest breaks and sought premium pay and expense reimbursement.

Wage & Hour

$3.1M

Torrance wage and hour class action settlement: retail store employees alleged unpaid wages and meal and rest period violations, seeking final pay, waiting-time penalties and expense reimbursement.

Wage & Hour

$3.0M

Thousand Oaks wage and hour class action settlement: a manufacturer's employees alleged unpaid pre-shift work and noncompliant meal and rest breaks, seeking break premiums and expense reimbursement.

Wage & Hour

$3.0M

Orange County wage and hour class action settlement: a healthcare employer's hourly workers alleged unpaid overtime and meal and rest break violations and sought premium pay and expense reimbursement.

Wage & Hour

$3.0M

San Diego wage and hour class action settlement: hourly employees alleged unpaid wages and break violations, pursuing meal and rest period premiums and repayment of work costs.

Wage & Hour

$2.8M

Riverside County wage and hour class action settlement: a restaurant franchise's hourly workers alleged unpaid wages and meal and rest period violations and sought to recover their work expenses.

Wage & Hour

$2.8M

Brentwood wage and hour class action settlement: an education provider's hourly staff alleged unpaid wages and meal and rest period violations and sought premium pay and expense reimbursement.

Wage & Hour

$2.5M

San Francisco County wage and hour class action settlement: hourly campus employees sought unpaid wages and work expense reimbursement, alleging meal and rest period violations.

Wage & Hour

$2.5M

San Jose wage and hour class action settlement: hourly car dealership employees alleged they were underpaid, denied proper meal and rest periods and not reimbursed for work expenses.

Wage & Hour

$2.5M

San Francisco County wage and hour class action settlement: hourly clinic staff alleged off-the-clock work, meal and rest period violations, unpaid premiums and unreimbursed work expenses.

Wage & Hour

$2.5M

San Leandro wage and hour class action settlement: hourly employees alleged unpaid overtime, unpaid wages and meal and rest period violations, and claimed break premiums and out-of-pocket costs.

Wage & Hour

$2.4M

Orange County wage and hour class action settlement: restaurant employees alleged a franchise operator failed to provide legally required meal and rest breaks or pay the premiums owed.

Wage & Hour

$2.2M

Los Angeles wage and hour class action settlement: hourly hospital employees alleged their employer failed to provide meal periods required by California law.

Wage & Hour

$2.1M

San Diego County wage and hour class action settlement: franchise restaurant workers alleged unpaid off-the-clock work, late meal and rest breaks without premium pay, and unreimbursed work gear.

Wage & Hour

$2.0M

Tulare wage and hour class action settlement: food processing employees alleged interrupted rest breaks without premium pay and no reimbursement for personal phones used for work.

Wage & Hour

$2.0M

Watsonville wage and hour class action settlement: hourly workers at an agricultural company alleged unpaid overtime, interrupted lunches and missing rest breaks during long shifts.

Wage & Hour

$1.6M

Barstow wage and hour class action settlement: hourly workers at a vehicle-services business alleged unpaid off-the-clock time, meal and rest break violations and unreimbursed uniform costs.

Wage & Hour

$910K

Gardena wage and hour class action settlement: hourly employees alleged they were denied meal and rest breaks without premium pay and had to cover supplies and phone costs.

Wage & Hour

$220K

Signal Hill wage and hour class action settlement: employees alleged they missed meal and rest breaks without receiving premium pay and were not paid for all time worked.

Wage & Hour

$200K

Hemet wage and hour class action settlement: hourly thrift store employees alleged meal and rest period violations, seeking premium pay, cell phone expense reimbursement and PAGA penalties.

Wage & Hour

$185K

Shasta County wage and hour settlement: an employee brought a representative claim on behalf of healthcare employees, alleging meal and rest period violations, unpaid wages and unreimbursed expenses.

Wage & Hour

$116K

San Diego wage and hour settlement: a restaurant employee alleged unpaid overtime from edited time sheets and straight-time pay for extra hours, plus missed meal and rest breaks.

Wage & Hour

$100K

Victorville wage and hour class action settlement: hourly restaurant employees alleged their employer left wages unpaid, violated meal and rest period rules and did not reimburse work expenses.

*Past results do not guarantee similar outcomes. Each case is unique and evaluated on its own facts.

Wage & Hour Cases: How It Works

One Call. We Handle the Rest.

It starts with one call. From there, we handle everything, building your case, standing up to insurance companies and corporations, and fighting for your future. Here's how it works...

How Do I Know If I Have an Unpaid Wages Claim in California?

You likely have an unpaid wages claim if your employer failed to pay you the full amount you earned for work you performed. Signs include being paid below minimum wage, working overtime without 1.5x pay, missing meal or rest breaks without premium pay, being asked to work off the clock, or not receiving your final paycheck on time. California's wage laws and filing deadlines apply, so contact Wilshire Law Firm's employment attorneys for a free case review.

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Record-breaking results

Winners of #1 Settlements in California

Our attorneys have recovered billions of dollars, including some of the biggest settlements in California.

17#1 Settlements in California, 2022–2024*

TopVerdict #1TopVerdict.com #1 settlements

1 of 17

  • #1 Truck v. Pedestrian Accident Settlement — California (2024)

    #1 Truck v. Pedestrian Accident Settlement

    2024

  • #1 Multi-Vehicle Accident Settlement — California (2024)

    #1 Multi-Vehicle Accident Settlement

    2024

  • #1 Equipment Malfunction Settlement — California (2024)

    #1 Equipment Malfunction Settlement

    2024

  • #1 Car v. Stationary Object Collision Settlement — California (2024)

    #1 Car v. Stationary Object Collision Settlement

    2024

  • #1 Bus v. Passenger Accident Settlement — California (2024)

    #1 Bus v. Passenger Accident Settlement

    2024

  • #1 Whistleblower Retaliation Settlement — California (2023)

    #1 Whistleblower Retaliation Settlement

    2023

  • #1 Underinsured Motorist Settlement — California (2023)

    #1 Underinsured Motorist Settlement

    2023

  • #1 Slip & Fall Accident Settlement — California (2023)

    #1 Slip & Fall Accident Settlement

    2023

  • #1 Negligent Security Settlement — California (2023)

    #1 Negligent Security Settlement

    2023

  • #1 Ladder Accident Settlement — California (2023)

    #1 Ladder Accident Settlement

    2023

  • #1 Hotel Premises Liability Settlement — California (2023)

    #1 Hotel Premises Liability Settlement

    2023

  • #1 Car v. Car Collision Settlement — California (2023)

    #1 Car v. Car Collision Settlement

    2023

  • #1 Bicycle Accident Settlement — California (2023)

    #1 Bicycle Accident Settlement

    2023

  • #1 Pregnancy Discrimination Settlement — California (2022)

    #1 Pregnancy Discrimination Settlement

    2022

  • #1 Age/Disability Discrimination Settlement — California (2022)

    #1 Age/Disability Discrimination Settlement

    2022

  • #1 Wrongful Termination Settlement — California (2022)

    #1 Wrongful Termination Settlement

    2022

  • #1 Meal & Rest Breaks Settlement — California (2022)

    #1 Meal & Rest Breaks Settlement

    2022

*#1 settlements in California have been awarded by TopVerdict.com. Past results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

Wage & Hour FAQs

Our Most Frequently Asked Questions

We've answered the most common ones below. If yours isn't here, call us — we're available 24/7.

Unpaid wages are earnings your employer owes but has not paid. Common examples include unpaid minimum wage or overtime, work performed off the clock, missed meal and rest break premiums, and final wages not paid on time after you leave a job. Improper deductions from your pay can also count.

Possibly. California imposes waiting-time penalties when an employer willfully fails to pay all final wages on time after an employee quits or is discharged. These penalties can continue for up to a set number of days until the wages are paid. The exact amount depends on your daily rate and how late the payment was.

California generally requires employers to provide meal and rest breaks, and to pay an extra hour of premium pay for each day a required break is denied. These premiums are on top of your regular wages. Keeping track of the days you missed breaks can help support a claim.

Many Labor Code wage claims, such as unpaid overtime and minimum wage, generally must be brought within three years, while claims based on a written contract may allow a longer period. Because deadlines have exceptions and depend on the claim, confirm yours promptly. Filing early also helps preserve pay records.

It helps, but it is not required. Employers are legally required to keep accurate pay records, and when those records are missing or inaccurate, your own notes, schedules, and estimates can be used. An attorney can help reconstruct what you are owed. Learn more about how contingency fees work. Learn more about employee misclassification. If you work in San Diego, our San Diego employment lawyers can review your unpaid wage claim.

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