Wage & Hour Lawyer in Van Nuys

We Represent Van Nuys Workers Only & Never Employers

Wage theft is widespread in Los Angeles, and Van Nuys workers are among those most affected. Whether your employer has shorted your paycheck, denied overtime, or misclassified you to avoid paying benefits, you have legal options. Laurel Employment Law, APC represents workers exclusively, and we never represent employers, so every strategy we deploy is built around protecting your interests, not an employer’s bottom line.

Our founder’s background as a former corporate executive gives us a perspective most wage and hour lawyers can’t offer: We understand how employers construct their defenses because we’ve operated from that side of the table. That insight shapes how we build cases for San Fernando Valley workers from day one. We offer free consultations, work on a contingency-fee basis, and provide bilingual assistance for Spanish-speaking clients.

Call (310) 929-6371 to schedule a free consultation. We represent workers throughout Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley.

California & Los Angeles Minimum Wage & Overtime Laws

California sets a strong floor for worker pay, but Van Nuys workers are entitled to even more. Because Van Nuys falls within the geographic boundaries of the City of Los Angeles, the City’s Minimum Wage Ordinance applies to any employee who performs at least two hours of work within city limits. That rate is $17.87 per hour as of July 1, 2025, compared to the California state minimum wage of $16.90 per hour effective January 1, 2026. Industry-specific rates go higher still: fast food workers at chains with 60 or more national locations earn at least $20 per hour, and certain healthcare workers earn between $18 and $24 per hour depending on facility type.

California’s overtime rules are among the most protective in the country. Unlike federal law, which triggers overtime only after 40 hours in a week, California requires overtime pay based on daily thresholds as well.

Your Rights to Overtime Pay in California

• Work over 8 hours in a single day earns 1.5 times your regular rate
• Work over 40 hours in a week earns 1.5 times your regular rate
• Work over 12 hours in a single day earns 2 times your regular rate

California law also requires a paid 10-minute rest break for every four hours worked and a 30-minute meal break when a shift exceeds five hours. A second 30-minute meal break is required when a shift runs longer than 10 hours. Denied breaks aren’t just inconvenient. They’re a compensable violation.

Wage Violations in Van Nuys & the San Fernando Valley

Wage disputes in Van Nuys arise most frequently in retail, hospitality, construction, and healthcare. These industries employ a large share of the San Fernando Valley workforce, and off-the-clock work, misclassification, and break denials are common. The high cost of living in this area makes every unpaid hour especially consequential for workers in lower-wage jobs.

Van Nuys workers have resources at both the state and local level. The California Labor Commissioner’s Office enforces state wage law, and the Los Angeles County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs provides information on local wage ordinances and can assist workers in filing complaints against non-compliant employers. Knowing where to turn is a start, but understanding which path may offer the strongest opportunity for recovery can take legal guidance.