How to File a Wage Claim in Los Angeles

Jun 16, 2021 | By Joe Farzam | Read Time: 2 minutes

Are you a worker whose employer has failed to pay you wages or benefits they were required to pay? If so, you may be entitled to relief.

When an employer underpays its employees or fails to provide earned wages or benefits, that employer has committed wage theft. If you believe you are a victim of wage theft, contact Farzam Law Firm today.

Employment law attorney Joseph Farzam can help you file a wage claim and fight for the compensation you deserve. Give our team a call to discuss your case and see how we can help you recover.

When You Can File a Wage Claim

Before navigating how to file a wage claim, it is necessary first to know whether you have a valid claim in the first place.

Examples of scenarios in which you may be entitled to file a wage claim against your employer include:

Unpaid final checks,
Minimum wage or overtime violations,
Unpaid vacation,
Unlawful pay deductions,
Meal and rest break violations,
Unpaid business expense reimbursements, and
Unpaid tips or commissions.

If your employer has violated its legal obligations regarding the payment of wages, you may have a claim for relief. While these are not the only examples of wage-related violations, an experienced employment law attorney can discuss your claims with you and help you determine how to begin the process toward recovery.

Steps to Filing a Wage Claim in Los Angeles

The California Labor Commissioner’s Office handles wage claims filed by California workers.

The process of filing a wage claim involves several steps:

File your wage claim with the Labor Commissioner’s Office;
Submit required and supporting documentation related to your claim;
Attend a settlement conference with your employer in an attempt to resolve the wage claim; and
Attend your wage claim hearing if you were unable to resolve your claim at the settlement conference.

Wage claims can be complex and difficult to navigate, especially if you have never filed a wage claim before. Fortunately, you don’t have to handle this process on your own.

How an Attorney Can Help

If you are wondering how to file a wage claim, you are not alone.

Countless California workers have valid wage claims against their employers each year but simply don’t know where to start. An employment law attorney can be an extremely valuable asset to you as you navigate the process of filing a wage claim.

An attorney can help you gather relevant information and evidence, complete and submit your claim, negotiate with your employer, and prepare for and argue your case at your hearing if you don’t settle .

If you don’t know how to file a wage claim in Los Angeles, hiring an attorney is a great first step to take toward getting the compensation you need and deserve.

Contact the Farzam Law Firm Today

Losing hard-earned money or benefits at the hands of your employer can put you in a difficult situation. We want to help.

Lead attorney Joseph Farzam is an experienced trial attorney with extensive knowledge and experience in employment law matters. The Farzam Law Firm has been serving clients for over 20 years. We hope we can have the opportunity to help you too.

Joseph Farzam

Mr. Farzam attended Santa Monica high school and worked at McDonald’s and local coffee shops to support himself. Although he worked 2 or 3 jobs, he valued education greatly and earned a bachelor’s degree from California State University, Northridge in biology, and attended the prestigious Pepperdine University School of Law. He graduated with high marks and passed the California bar exam on the first try. Mr. Farzam has received the coveted titles of Super Lawyer, Los Angeles Magazine’s Top Lawyers, and has received The Litigator Awards. He is a proud member of the Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles (CAALA) and California Employment Lawyers Association (CELA).