California Unpaid Wages Lawyer

Impact Attorneys – Fighting for the Pay You’ve Earned

If you’ve put in the hours but didn’t receive your full paycheck, you’re not just being underappreciated—you’re being unlawfully denied what you’re owed. Wage theft is illegal under California law, yet it happens to thousands of workers every day. Whether you’re missing overtime pay, weren’t paid for missed breaks, or never received your final paycheck, Impact Attorneys is here to help you fight back.

We’re dedicated to holding employers accountable when they break labor laws. Our California employment law team has helped countless workers recover unpaid wages, penalties, and interest. We offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay us unless we win your case.

📞 Call us today at 818-350-2349 to speak with an unpaid wages lawyer who will go to work for you.

Your Right to Fair Pay in California

California has some of the strongest labor protections in the country. If you’re an employee—whether full-time, part-time, hourly, or even misclassified as an independent contractor—you have a right to be paid for all the hours you’ve worked. This includes:

• At least the minimum wage

• Overtime for working more than 8 hours a day or 40 hours a week

• Pay for missed meal and rest breaks

• Timely final pay upon termination or resignation

• Reimbursement for out-of-pocket job expenses

Unfortunately, many employers violate these rules—either intentionally or through neglect. If you suspect your employer has underpaid you, even by a small amount, it may be part of a larger pattern of illegal conduct. We can help you investigate and take legal action to recover what you’re owed.

Common Types of Wage Violations

There are many ways employers try to cut costs by shortchanging employees. Some of the most common unpaid wage violations include:

Unpaid Overtime

If you’ve worked more than 8 hours in a single day or more than 40 hours in a week, you’re entitled to time-and-a-half pay. Working over 12 hours in a day triggers double time. If you were paid your regular hourly wage instead of the legally required overtime rate, your employer may owe you significant back pay.

Off-the-Clock Work

You should be paid for every minute you’re on the job. That includes setup, cleanup, prep work, or staying late after your shift to finish tasks. If your employer has you working before clocking in or after clocking out, that’s illegal.

Missed Meal and Rest Breaks

Non-exempt employees must receive a 30-minute unpaid meal break for every 5 hours worked, plus a paid 10-minute rest break for every 4 hours. If you’re not getting your breaks—or if you’re denied compensation when breaks are missed—you may be entitled to premium pay.

Final Pay Violations

California law requires employers to provide a final paycheck on your last day of work (if you’re fired or laid off) or within 72 hours if you quit. If your final wages were delayed or never received, you may be entitled to a waiting time penalty—up to 30 days of additional pay.

Misclassification

If you’re labeled as an independent contractor but treated like an employee, you may be misclassified. Employers often do this to avoid paying overtime and benefits. If you’ve been misclassified, we can help you recover the wages and protections you’ve been denied.

Minimum Wage Violations

Whether you work in retail, food service, cleaning, construction, or any other industry, your employer must pay at least the local minimum wage. In some California cities, that’s over $17 per hour. If you’re being paid less—or if your hours are underreported—we can help you recover the difference.

What Can You Recover in an Unpaid Wages Claim?

If your employer has violated California wage and hour laws, you may be entitled to more than just back pay. At Impact Attorneys, we pursue full compensation for every client, including:

• Unpaid regular and overtime wages

• Premiums for missed meal and rest breaks

• Waiting time penalties (up to 30 days’ wages for late final paychecks)

• Interest on unpaid wages

• Reimbursement for work-related expenses

• Attorneys’ fees and court costs

Depending on the extent and duration of the violations, your total recovery could be substantial. If other workers at your company have been affected, you may also be eligible to join a class action or representative lawsuit.

Serving Workers Across All Industries

Wage theft doesn’t discriminate—it affects workers in every industry. Whether you’re earning hourly pay, working for tips, or paid by commission, you’re protected under California law. Impact Attorneys has successfully represented:

• Restaurant and hospitality staff

• Warehouse and logistics workers

• Janitors and cleaning crews

• Delivery drivers and rideshare workers

• Healthcare assistants and caregivers

• Retail associates and cashiers

• Construction and labor workers

• Office and call center employees

• Tech and startup workers

Even if you’re undocumented, you still have the right to be paid for your work. Immigration status does not affect your right to wages in California.

Why Choose Impact Attorneys?

At Impact Attorneys, we don’t tolerate wage theft—and neither should you. Our legal team brings decades of combined experience in employment law and has helped recover millions for California workers. We’re aggressive negotiators, skilled litigators, and relentless advocates for our clients.

When you choose us, you get:

• A free and confidential consultation

• No upfront fees—ever

• A team that knows how to win wage and hour claims

• Personal attention and regular case updates

• A proven track record of results

We don’t back down when employers break the law. We hold them accountable—and we get results.

Let’s Talk About Your Case

You don’t have to accept being shortchanged. If you suspect wage theft, the time to act is now. California has strict deadlines for filing unpaid wage claims, and your case becomes harder to prove the longer you wait.

Call 818-350-2349 today for a free, no-obligation consultation. We’ll review your pay records, assess your claim, and explain your legal options in plain English. If we take your case, you won’t owe us a dime unless we win. At Impact Attorneys, we’re ready to fight for every dollar you’ve earned.