Protecting Lancaster workers' rights. No fee unless we win.
What is my Lancaster wage claim actually worth to me?
A wage claim in Lancaster seeks to recover money you are owed by an employer. This could include unpaid wages, overtime, meal and rest break penalties, and other compensation mandated by California law. The specific amount depends on what your employer failed to pay and for how long.
What you can recover also includes specific penalties the law sets for different violations. California law holds employers accountable for these failures.
What kinds of wage and hour claims do you handle in Los Angeles County?
We help Lancaster workers recover unpaid wages, overtime, and other compensation they earned. This includes situations where an employer misclassifies an employee as an independent contractor to avoid paying minimum wage or overtime. We also handle claims for workers whose employers failed to provide proper meal and rest breaks or paid them late.
Many disputes involve an employer denying workers their rightful pay for all hours worked. We also assist employees who face retaliation for asserting their wage rights, which is illegal under California law. If you faced such retaliation, you might also find our resources on employee rights in Lancaster helpful. Our firm focuses on wage and hour issues and other areas of California employment law.
Where does a Lancaster wage and hour lawsuit get filed?
A wage and hour lawsuit for an incident in Lancaster is filed in the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles. Specifically, it is filed in the North District, at the Michael D. Antonovich Antelope Valley Courthouse, located at 42011 4th St West, Lancaster, CA 93534. In Los Angeles County, personal injury cases, and by extension many employment cases with similar filing rules, are filed in the judicial district where the incident occurred and assigned to that district's department.
How long do I have to file a wage and hour claim in California?
California wage and hour claims generally have different deadlines depending on the specific type of claim. For claims involving written contracts, you typically have four years (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 337). For unpaid wages, there is generally a three-year deadline (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 338). If your claim involves an employer's failure to pay minimum wage or overtime, those claims often fall under a three-year statute of limitations.
If your claim includes personal injury resulting from workplace actions, such as wrongful termination causing emotional distress, most California personal injury claims must be filed within two years (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1). However, if your claim is against a city, county, or public agency, a written claim must be presented to that public entity within six months (Cal. Gov. Code § 911.2) before a lawsuit can be filed. The deadline is generally paused while an injured person is a minor (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 352), but that pause does not apply to claims against public entities under the Government Claims Act (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 352(b)). It is crucial to confirm the specific deadlines for your situation with an attorney.
What should I do next after discovering wage theft?
After you believe your employer has committed wage theft, take these steps:
Gather Records: Collect pay stubs, timecards, employment contracts, emails, and any other documents related to your employment and pay.
Document Violations: Keep a detailed log of dates, times, and specific instances of unpaid wages, missed breaks, or other violations. Note any witnesses.
Review Company Policies: Look at your employee handbook or company policies regarding wages, overtime, and breaks.
Consult an Attorney: Speak with an attorney experienced in wage and hour law to understand your rights and the deadlines that apply to your specific claim.
Avoid Discussing with Employer (Initially): While you might feel compelled to confront your employer, it's often best to consult an attorney first to avoid actions that could harm your claim.
What does working with Casa Legal Los Angeles involve?
Working with us means having a dedicated legal team in your corner. We handle all communications with your employer and their attorneys, build your case by gathering evidence and witness statements, and negotiate on your behalf. Our goal is to recover the full compensation available under California law. We aim to achieve a fair resolution, whether through negotiation or, if necessary, by filing a lawsuit and proceeding to trial. We work on a contingency fee basis. This means no attorney's fees unless we win—and no case costs either.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I'm misclassified as an independent contractor?
Whether you are properly classified as an independent contractor depends on specific factors, not just what your employer calls you. California law, particularly AB5 and the "ABC test," generally presumes workers are employees unless the hiring entity can prove three things: (A) the worker is free from the control and direction of the hiring entity, (B) the worker performs work outside the usual course of the hiring entity's business, and (C) the worker is customarily engaged in an independently established trade or business. Many employers misclassify employees to avoid paying benefits, overtime, and taxes.
What if my employer retaliates against me for filing a wage claim?
California law strictly prohibits employers from retaliating against employees who assert their wage and hour rights. Retaliation can include wrongful termination, demotion, reduction in hours, or other adverse employment actions. If your employer retaliates against you, you have additional legal protections and may be able to pursue a separate claim for retaliation. Our firm also assists workers with retaliation claims in Lancaster.
Do all wage claims go to court at the Michael D. Antonovich Antelope Valley Courthouse?
Not all wage claims go to court, even if they are eligible to be filed at the Michael D. Antonovich Antelope Valley Courthouse. Many wage disputes are resolved through negotiations, mediation, or by filing a claim with the California Labor Commissioner (DLSE). A lawsuit in court is typically a step taken if these other avenues do not lead to a satisfactory resolution. The courthouse location is where a formal lawsuit would begin if one becomes necessary for your Lancaster-based claim.
What is the deadline for my wage claim?
The deadline for a wage claim depends on the specific violation. Generally, you have three years for most unpaid wage and overtime claims, and four years for claims based on a written contract. However, some claims, especially those involving public entities in Los Angeles County, have a strict six-month deadline to file a preliminary claim. It is crucial to determine the specific deadline applicable to your facts quickly, as missing it can mean losing your right to recover.
If you are a Lancaster worker facing wage and hour violations, we are here to help. Call Casa Legal Los Angeles today at 888-585-2529 for a conversation about your options. No attorney's fees unless we win—and no case costs either.
Serving Lancaster
Our attorneys represent clients throughout Lancaster and the greater Los Angeles area.
Where a Lancaster claim is filed
A personal injury claim arising in Lancaster is filed in Michael D. Antonovich Antelope Valley Courthouse, North District of the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles.
In Los Angeles County a personal injury case is filed in the judicial district where the incident occurred and is assigned to that district's Personal Injury Hub department (LASC Local Rule 2.3; General Order re Assignment and Transfer of Personal Injury Cases, effective May 17, 2024).
Catchment boundaries change. Confirm the filing courthouse on the court's official locator before relying on it.
Source: Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles — Local Rules, Chapter 2 (verified August 23, 2026).
Deadlines that apply in Lancaster
The California filing deadlines that apply to an incident in Lancaster (Los Angeles County) come from state statute, not a local rule. These are the deadlines cited most often.
2 years — personal injury lawsuit
Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1 — two years from the date of injury for most personal injury and wrongful death claims.
6 months — claim against a public entity
Cal. Gov. Code § 911.2 — a written claim must be presented to the public entity within six months for claims involving death or injury to person or personal property, before a lawsuit may be filed.
Injured minors
Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 352 — the limitations period is generally tolled while the injured person is a minor, but the six-month government claim deadline is not tolled the same way.
This is general information about California law, not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Deadlines change with the facts and with who the defendant is — a claim against a city, county, transit agency, or the state triggers a much shorter deadline, and delayed discovery, tolling, and other exceptions apply. Casa Legal Los Angeles is licensed to practice in California. Confirm any deadline with an attorney.
Sources: California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1; California Government Code § 911.2 (verified August 23, 2026).