Law Firm Files New Wage Lawsuits in California

The law firm of Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP has a history of filing class-action lawsuits over alleged California labor code violations. In a 2019 case, the firm helped secure a $1.3 million settlement for over 1,000 employees of Glasswerks L.A. who alleged they were denied proper overtime pay and meal breaks. The lawsuit against GEA Mechanical Equipment US, Inc. has been filed in the Stanislaus County Superior Court. The complaint alleges a range of violations of the California Labor Code, including failure to pay minimum and overtime wages, not providing legally required meal and rest periods, and failing to provide accurate wage statements. California law mandates specific meal and rest periods for employees. Generally, a 30-minute unpaid meal break is required for a shift of more than five hours, and a paid 10-minute rest break is required for every four hours worked. The lawsuit against Veracity Research Co. alleges that due to rigorous work schedules, employees were frequently unable to take their entitled 30-minute meal breaks. The legal actions against both companies also invoke the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA). Enacted in 2004, PAGA allows employees to sue their employers on behalf of the state to recover civil penalties for labor code violations, essentially deputizing private citizens to enforce labor laws. Penalties recovered through PAGA lawsuits are distributed between the state and the aggrieved employees. This legal framework was established to enhance the enforcement of California's labor laws. While legal proceedings are just beginning, online reviews from individuals identifying as former employees of Veracity Research Co. describe a "terrible work culture" and issues with low pay. These anecdotal accounts are separate from the formal allegations in the lawsuit.