Bisnar Chase’s California class action employment lawyers are dedicated to helping employees treated poorly in the workplace.
At Bisnar Chase, we have a wealth of experience protecting workers’ rights in California. Our law firm has developed a 99% success rate and has collected over $900 million for our clients over its 46-year history.
If you and other employees at your workplace have been wronged, our legal team can help you build an employment lawsuit. Call (800) 561-4887 for immediate help from a California employment lawyer. When you contact us today, you will receive free legal advice from a top-rated expert.
California Class Action Employment Lawyer
What is a Class Action Employment Lawsuit?
Labor law attorneys define class action claims in employment law as a single lawsuit brought forward by a group of employees against a single party – often their employer.
A “class” of plaintiffs is a group of people who bring a lawsuit and have similar complaints against the defendant.
If an employer’s negative actions have similarly affected a large group of employees, a class action employment lawyer may be able to help. Bringing a class action suit rather than a series of individual cases can strengthen the plaintiffs’ claim.
The first major class action suit was the “Pitney Bowes” case in the 1970s where women sued their employer for paying them less than men. The company had two ways of calculating salaries, one for men and one for women.
The women were being paid less than men, even when they had the same job title and experience level as male employees.
Betty Dukes and other female employees filed “Dukes v. Wal-Mart Stores” in 1983, claiming that Wal-Mart discriminated against female employees regarding pay and promotions.
The plaintiffs in this case argued that Wal-Mart’s policies created an environment where female workers were systematically underpaid relative to their male counterparts, resulting in higher turnover rates among women and lower pay increases over time.
Suppose you are a California employee seeking justice in the workplace. In that case, our experienced California employee class action attorneys specialize in these lawsuits, helping workers navigate the complexities of California’s labor laws and fight for fair settlements in employment class actions.
Class Action Lawsuit Discrimination
If the lawsuit is successful, the class members may receive compensation for the harm they have suffered due to the discrimination.
Additionally, legal action can end the employer’s illegal discriminatory practices, a form of justice, and prevent future discrimination.
In a discrimination class action lawsuit, a group of people who have faced similar discrimination by the same employer file a single lawsuit.
This allows them to address the issue more efficiently than if they each filed separate lawsuits. The main steps include a judge certifying the class, gathering evidence, and possibly going to trial or reaching a settlement.
If the lawsuit is approved as a class action, class members can receive compensation, and the lawsuit can stop the employer’s illegal practices.
Call our California employment class action attorneys to discuss your case. Call 800-561-4887 for a free evaluation.
What Are Typical Damages in a Class Action Discrimination Lawsuit?
In class action discrimination lawsuits, outcomes often involve settlements or court rulings. These can result in monetary compensation for affected employees, including lost wages, damages for emotional distress, and punitive damages. Sometimes, the suits lead to changes in company policies to prevent future discrimination.
Types of Employee Class Action Lawsuits
- Wage and hour violations: Claims about unpaid wages, denied overtime, or missed meal breaks.
- Discrimination: Lawsuits involving unfair treatment based on race, gender, age, disability, or other protected categories.
- Misclassification: Cases where employees are wrongly classified as independent contractors.
- Retaliation and wrongful termination: Claims involving unfair firing or punishment for whistleblowing or complaining about workplace issues.
- Harassment: Suits related to sexual harassment or hostile work environments.
Class Action vs. Corporate Action
A class action lawsuit involves numerous people (a class) who have suffered similar harm at the hands of the same party, such as a business.
Corporate actions are choices a company makes that impact its shareholders, board members, and employees.
How is a Class Action for Federal Employees Different from Nonfederal employees?
Class actions for federal employees are governed differently than those for non-federal employees. Federal sector class actions often follow specific guidelines provided by federal agencies.
Unlike non-federal class members, federal employees can’t opt out of discriminatory class actions.
The process may be more bureaucratic for federal employees, often involving different administrative procedures.
The Process of a California Class Action Employment Lawsuit
You will get a notice if you are one of the employees involved in a class action lawsuit. Experts say to follow the notice’s instructions and provide the documentation to your California class action employment lawyer.
Your labor law attorney and their legal experts will begin collecting discovery. Discovery is gathering facts about the case and exchanging those facts between the legal teams for the plaintiff and defendant.
After discovery, the case must have a class certification. This means all the plaintiffs have proven consistent regarding the defendant’s wrongdoings. A motion is then made to bring the issue to the courts.
What if I signed a Class Action Waiver with My Employer?
Signing a class action waiver prevents you from participating in lawsuits against your employer.
However, some courts have found these waivers unenforceable, especially if they violate labor laws or are part of a contract dispute.
It’s beneficial to consult a California class action employment lawyer to explore legal options based on your specific circumstances and jurisdiction if you signed a class action lawsuit waiver.
How Many People Are Needed for an Employment Class Action Lawsuit?
There is no set number of people required for a class action suit. Cases involving large classes of wronged employees are easier to bring through the courts.
A judge will often ask for dozens of plaintiffs to be involved in a class for it to proceed, but a class could also consist of hundreds or even thousands of employees. The claimants are usually called the “class,” and the defendant is usually simply called the “defendant.”
There are many factors that go into determining how many people are needed for a class action lawsuit.
- First, there needs to be enough people with similar injuries or damages for them to qualify as a group.
- Second, there needs to be enough money available for lawyers to represent them and cover costs associated with the lawsuit.
- Third, there needs to be an identifiable cause of injury or damages that can apply to all class members.
- Fourth, individualized proof must be provided that each class member was injured by the defendant’s conduct or product.
- Fifth, there need to be mechanisms in place that will allow members who don’t want their information revealed publicly (e.g., medical records) access to justice without public disclosure.
If you or a group have experienced discrimination or harassment in the workplace, our law group is ready to take action by filing a class action lawsuit against employers for violations of the employment code, including unpaid wages, while navigating the complexities of class certification and potential litigation in Los Angeles courts or Orange County courts.
Do I Have a Wrongful Termination Case?
An employee who believes their employer terminated their employment improperly may file a wrongful termination lawsuit against the company.
The grounds for this suit are usually that the employer terminated the employee without any reasonable cause or with unreasonable severity. The main reason for filing a wrongful termination lawsuit is to sue the company and receive compensation for damages.
Typically, all Wrongful termination filings occur when an employer fires a California worker under unlawful circumstances.
For instance, an employer who terminates a worker’s employment to retaliate against an employee who discloses illegal activity in the company is in violation of the Whistleblower Act.
Other wrongful termination cases may involve an employer violating anti-discrimination, labor, whistleblower, or quid pro quo laws.
Quid Pro Quo is an employer promising a higher salary or higher position in the company in exchange for sexual services. If the employee refuses and, upon their refusal, is fired, then the worker can file either a sexual harassment claim or a wrongful termination claim.
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Laws
The EEOC serves as an authority and advocate for those in the workforce. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission acts as a system of checks and balances to protect employees.
There are several federal laws that have been instilled to safeguard California workers from negligent or discriminatory employers. Employers may not discriminate against a worker or applicant based on their gender, age, disabilities, religion, color, or pregnancy.
List of EEOC Federal Laws:
- Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII)
- The Pregnancy Discrimination Act
- The Equal Pay Act of 1963 (EPA)
- The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA)
- Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA)
- Sections 102 and 103 of the Civil Rights Act of 1991
- Sections 501 and 505 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
- The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (GINA)
Our experienced class action lawyers in California are dedicated to representing groups of class members in employment class actions, addressing issues such as retaliation and meal breaks while ensuring that all elements of class action litigation are met, including compliance with PAGA requirements and the potential for significant settlements for harmed individuals.
Wage and Hour Rules and Regulations
- Requiring off-the-clock work without being compensated
- Underpaying due to too many deductions being taken out of pay
- Taking too many deductions out of their employees’ pay
Can I Be Fired for Whistleblowing?
A whistleblower is an employee who informs a third party or law enforcement of any wrongdoings or illegal activity in the workplace.
Employees often fear that they will lose their jobs if they report any violations in their work environment.
Another fear that employees face after reporting a crime in the workplace is hostility they will face, but whistleblowers do have rights and are protected under federal law.
The United States Department of Labor Section 11(c) of the OSH Act states “If workers have been retaliated or discriminated against for exercising their rights, they must file a complaint with OSHA within 30 days of the alleged adverse action.”
To strengthen your case it is important to gather any evidence such as emails, witness accounts, or even photos of the crimes being committed, to your California whistleblower attorney.
Our skilled attorneys are committed to fighting for clients in court, navigating a range of lawsuits related to employment violations, ensuring that issues such as rest breaks and fair wages are addressed, and ultimately achieving the best possible result for employees facing similar issues.
Class Action Lawsuit vs Individual Employment Lawsuits
An individual case is different from a class action lawsuit because there is only one plaintiff suing an employer. Although there is not a set amount needed for a California class action case, there needs to be more than one person.
Class action employment lawsuits may also take longer than a case with a single plaintiff due to the size and number of people involved.
In class action lawsuits, the process can be stalled for reasons such as both parties collecting discovery (facts and evidence of the case), the defendant does not want to settle, or the courts are not proceeding quickly enough.
Our California class action employment lawyers specialize in representing groups of employees and plaintiffs in class action lawsuits against employers. We ensure their rights are protected in cases involving wage violations, discrimination, and workplace harassment while efficiently navigating the complex litigation process.
The Cost of Hiring a California Class Action Employment Lawyer
Bisnar Chase offers a ‘No Win, No Fee’ guarantee. We will advance all the costs necessary to win your case and will only collect a fee if we win for you.
Our fee will be a standard percentage of the settlement or court-awarded compensation. Class action lawsuits can take 9 months – 2 years to settle, with the timeframe entirely dependent on the specific case involved.
Bisnar Chase, Southern California class action employment lawyer, and Ian Silvers states the importance of hiring a labor law attorney.
“Employment law covers a wide spectrum of claims, ranging from discrimination to harassment, to unpaid wages, just to name a few. Each claim brings with it differing pitfalls and minefields.
You need an employment lawyer to help you navigate through these legal minefields because any wrong step could lead to your case being time-barred or you might not recover all of the money you are entitled to.
Here, at Bisnar Chase, we have experienced employment lawyers who can guide you through the complex and intricate web of employment law,” says Silvers.
Recent Employment Class Action in the United States
- 8/2024: Walmart, FedEx, and other companies sued for employment-related violations.
- 8/2024: Racial discrimination class action against Tesla set for trial.
- 8/2024: FedEx employees sue for unpaid overtime wages.
- 7/2024: Employees file employment class action against Red Lobster for shorting their tips.
- Amazon Faces Wage Class Action Lawsuit Over COVID-19 Screening Pay.
- City of Long Beach Faces Class Action Lawsuit Alleging Racial Discrimination in the Workplace.
- UC Agrees to Pay $73 Million in Class Action Lawsuit Settlement to Victims of Alleged Sexual Abuse.
Read full details of the lawsuits here.
An Increase in Labor and Employment Class Actions
According to a report by Reuters, labor and employment class actions have significantly increased in 2024. The survey shows an almost 10% rise in these actions over the past year, making up the most significant portion of defense spending on class actions.
The survey, which covered companies from over 25 industries, revealed that most have dealt with at least one labor and employment class action in recent years and anticipate this trend to continue.
This case surge is attributed to increased workforce activism, unionization efforts, dissatisfaction with hybrid work policies, and more discrimination and wage claims.
On the other hand, the impact of COVID-19-related cases is on the decline. Despite this rise, only a few companies use arbitration clauses and class action waivers, partly due to regulatory concerns.
Contact Our Top-Rated Employment Class Action Lawyers
Our Southern California employee class action attorneys are experts in handling a wide range of employment class actions, focusing on issues such as retaliation, meal breaks, and discriminatory practices.
We work tirelessly to protect the interests of class members and representatives while navigating the complexities of arbitration agreements, PAGA requirements, and potential settlements.
Whether dealing with contractors, race-related claims, or business expenses, our experienced team is committed to achieving favorable outcomes through expert class-action litigation strategies.
Contact Bisnar Chase now for immediate help with your class action employment claim. We have experienced trial lawyers with the resources to take on large class actions.
Our labor and employment attorneys are passionate about protecting employees’ workplace rights and are dedicated to offering superior representation.
If you or a group of employees want to file a class action lawsuit against your employer, call Bisnar Chase’s class action attorneys.
Contact Bisnar Chase’s California class action employment lawyers now. Call (800) 561-4887 to arrange a free consultation.
