Labor And Employment Law

The class action lawsuit, In re Sutter Health ERISA Litig. (Case No. 1:20-cv-01007), was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California on behalf of participants in the Sutter Health 403(b) Savings Plan. The plaintiffs alleged that Sutter Health and its fiduciaries breached their duties under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) by failing to leverage the Plan's size to obtain lower-cost investment options and by permitting the Plan to incur excessive recordkeeping and investment management fees. This mismanagement allegedly resulted in significant financial injury to approximately 73,000 current and former employee participants. The parties reached a negotiated agreement, and the court granted preliminary approval for a $4.3 million common fund settlement to resolve all claims of fiduciary breach.

The lawsuit brought by Kayla Vitela against Sizzling Platter, LLC and its Wingstop-affiliated entities centered on alleged statewide wage and hour violations affecting a large group of employees. Filed under the Private Attorneys General Act, the case claimed that workers were denied proper meal and rest breaks, given inaccurate wage statements, owed unpaid final wages, and left without reimbursement for necessary business expenses. The employer denied all allegations, but the risk of mounting penalties across numerous employees pushed the parties toward mediation. The action concluded with a $1.3 million settlement covering civil penalties, employee restitution, and substantial attorney fees, marking a significant outcome in favor of the aggrieved workers.

This employment lawsuit stemmed from Eric Jones’s request for workplace accommodations for a chronic skin condition and a prior shoulder injury while employed with the Los Angeles Unified School District. Jones argued that LAUSD ignored its legal duty to work with him through the interactive process and failed to provide reasonable accommodations, causing him financial and emotional harm. Although the jury rejected his retaliation claim, they concluded that the District’s failures under California’s FEHA laws directly caused damage. On July 2, 2025, the jury awarded Jones $300,000 in past and future lost earnings, confirming that LAUSD’s handling of his accommodation requests violated state disability protections.

Katrina Baptiste resolved her employment lawsuit against The City and County of San Francisco through a $125,000 settlement reached in June 2025. Baptiste had alleged severe workplace misconduct, including sexual and racial harassment, racial discrimination, and retaliation for reporting the misconduct. She claimed the hostile conditions caused emotional distress, financial loss, and professional harm. The City denied all allegations, asserting it responded properly and violated no laws. The settlement brought an end to nearly two years of litigation and allowed both sides to avoid the risks and burdens of a public trial

A years-long wage and hour class action, Geierman v. Grocery Delivery E-Services USA, Inc. (20CV361771), concluded in Santa Clara County with a $945,391 settlement benefiting thousands of current and former workers. The lawsuit alleged that the delivery company and its HR partner failed to provide lawful meal and rest breaks, misrecorded work hours, and issued non-compliant wage statements. Jennifer Geierman, representing the class, argued that systemic timekeeping and scheduling practices denied employees wages and penalties owed under California labor laws. The Defendants denied wrongdoing, asserting that employees controlled their breaks and that policies complied with state requirements. After extensive discovery and mediation, the parties reached a global settlement that compensates workers and mandates key operational changes, including updated timekeeping systems and clearer break policies. The resolution closes a major employment dispute in California’s gig-economy labor landscape.

In a landmark employment retaliation case, Dr. Kristen Wheldon, a respected clinical psychologist, reached a $5.75 million settlement with the City of Los Angeles after alleging whistleblower retaliation and workplace discrimination. Dr. Wheldon claimed city officials punished her for reporting serious ethical and procedural violations, leading to her demotion, isolation, and emotional distress. Her lawsuit cited violations under California’s Labor Code Section 1102.5 and the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). The City denied wrongdoing but agreed to the multimillion-dollar settlement before trial, marking a major victory for employee whistleblower protections in the public sector.

American Freight Management Company LLC resolved a wage-and-hour class action in Sacramento Superior Court by agreeing to a $398,620 settlement that compensated employees for unpaid overtime, missed meal breaks, and inaccurate wage statements. The case involved managers and hourly workers who said the company failed to include nondiscretionary bonuses in overtime rates, routinely delayed meal periods, and issued pay stubs that did not show correct hours or earnings. After extensive discovery, mediation, and class certification, both sides settled before trial. The agreement brought closure to claims stretching back to 2018 and delivered financial relief to affected workers across the company’s California retail locations.

A Sacramento jury delivered a sweeping verdict for Dr. Beth Fischgrund, concluding that the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation unlawfully retaliated against her after she reported workplace misconduct and safety issues. The jury found that Dr. Fischgrund’s protected whistleblower activity triggered a series of adverse employment actions, culminating in significant professional and personal harm. The panel also determined that CDCR defamed her during the conflict, further damaging her reputation and career prospects. After evaluating the evidence, the jury awarded a total of $13.88 million for lost earnings, future economic harm, emotional distress, and reputational damage. The case underscored the legal protections afforded to employees who report unsafe or improper governmental conduct in California.

A class action lawsuit against Pactrack, Inc., a California logistics company, ended in a $160,000 settlement in September 2024. Plaintiff Carmen Bustamante filed the case alleging that Pactrack failed to pay hourly workers for all hours worked, including overtime, and neglected to reimburse them for job-related expenses. The complaint also cited inaccurate pay stubs and violations of California labor laws. The Los Angeles Superior Court approved the settlement, providing financial relief to affected employees and resolving the wage and hour claims without trial.

A wage and hour class action against Metro Eighteen, Inc. ended with a $495,000 settlement approved by the Los Angeles Superior Court in September 2024. Plaintiff David Cancino alleged that the retail operator’s time-rounding system consistently favored the employer, causing employees to lose pay for minutes worked. The lawsuit accused the company of failing to issue accurate wage statements and engaging in unfair business practices. Metro Eighteen denied all wrongdoing but agreed to the settlement to resolve the claims and avoid a lengthy trial.

In a major California labor dispute, furniture retailer La-Z-Boy and its subsidiary LZB Retail, Inc. reached a $1.07 million class action settlement with former and current hourly employees. The lawsuit, led by Plaintiff Dustin Evers and filed in the San Diego Superior Court, accused the company of failing to pay workers for all hours worked and not providing required meal and rest breaks. The settlement, approved in September 2024, provided compensation to hundreds of employees for unpaid wages, penalties, and attorneys’ fees, closing a two-year battle over alleged wage and hour violations.

In a major employment class action, two former employees, Mario Arredondo Jr. and Miguel Rivera, sued Pinkerton Consulting & Investigations Inc. for systematic wage and hour violations. The lawsuit, filed in the San Diego Superior Court, claimed that the international security firm failed to pay hourly staff correctly, denied proper breaks, and issued inaccurate pay stubs. After extensive litigation, the parties reached a $1.35 million settlement in February 2025. The agreement, approved by Judge Gregory W. Pollack, provided compensation to approximately 85 employees for unpaid wages and penalties, concluding a significant California labor law dispute.