The Watkins Firm brings more than 40 years of experienced defense for a California employer in a wage and hour dispute. The number of wage and hour related disputes and lawsuits as significantly increased over the past few years. San Diego employers may face these allegations in the form of a lawsuit by plaintiff’s attorneys or through a hearing or conference before the California Labor Commission. The Watkins Firm does not represent plaintiffs. We are a dedicated San Diego employer defense and business litigation firm who have decades of experience and a successful and proven track record in these cases.
Wage and Hour Defense
The Watkins Firm has seen a substantial increase in wage and hour and other employment-related lawsuits over the past few years. Plaintiffs attorneys are actively marketing to disaffected employees in search of an issue which could form the basis of a wage and hour lawsuit or a Private Attorneys General Act or PAGA Action. PAGA actions provide the plaintiff with extensive access to not only your present employees and records, but in many cases these allegations surface after an employee has left your company. The plaintiffs are expecting you to be unprepared and to settle the case for an unreasonable amount. There’s only one way to fight these cases: head on!
That doesn’t, however, have to mean a long, drawn-out and expensive court process. The Watkins Firm takes a unique approach to mounting an effective, experienced defense for a California employer in a wage and hour dispute or PAGA action which is designed to resolve the matter positively in a timely and cost-effective manner. Most of these cases can be resolved by our leveraged, skilled negotiation strategies. We respond aggressively to opposing counsel or the State of Federal agency who is accusing your business of wage and hour violations. We guide our clients as we take prudent actions to remediate what has happened and limit future exposure. We provide a substantive response which signals our preparedness and ability to fight. Our reputation as skilled trial attorneys communicates your resolve to defend yourself and provides power to change the balance of the equation into your favor.
Pro-Tip: “Let’s talk about an employer who makes a mistake on the way somebody drafted someone’s paycheck in the tune of, let’s say $15 a week. The next thing you know, you’re in a PAGA class action that puts you at risk for $300,000, $400,000 because of an accounting error that led to a class action. Now, had you had certain types of agreements in place, even some kinds of arbitration agreements, that’s where we’re at now on these laws. You could have cut this off also, had you had some lawyer you could talk to about your procedures or maybe our HR person, someone you can call if there’s any questions, or your staff can call, then you won’t have this problem. And if you do, then you shut it down right away.
Pro-Tip: “Let’s talk about an employer who makes a mistake on the way somebody drafted someone’s paycheck in the tune of, let’s say $15 a week. The next thing you know, you’re in a PAGA class action that puts you at risk for $300,000, $400,000 because of an accounting error that led to a class action. Now, had you had certain types of agreements in place, even some kinds of arbitration agreements, that’s where we’re at now on these laws. You could have cut this off also, had you had some lawyer you could talk to about your procedures or maybe our HR person, someone you can call if there’s any questions, or your staff can call, then you won’t have this problem. And if you do, then you shut it down right away.Fast action in any of these matters is the key. Pick up the phone and call us the second that you think something’s going on. Why does that matter? Judges don’t really like these cases, and there’s a lot of technical reasons to throw them out because they’re turning into sort of a shady PI lawyer, the person that hangs out in the hospital room. These kind of employment lawyers are starting to be like that. And so if they don’t follow all the rules and you get to court in the first couple of months and you file a motion saying you didn’t give the proper notice, you didn’t state the proper cause of action, the judge will throw it out.
If you call us, as soon as you’re aware of it, we can help you to mitigate the problem, or remediate it, get rid of it, solve it altogether. If you know ahead of time and your good experienced lawyer at the Watkins Firm, sometimes we have them come in and say, no, no, no, don’t pay us all this money. Pay the extra $3,000 in wages. Send out amended pay stubs before you even have to answer the complaint. And guess what? All of the causes of action that have attorney’s fees in them are gone. Nobody wants to sue you anymore because of that. So yes, quick action gives your lawyer the ability to help you to do things that just destroy a case in the beginning.” – Dan Watkins, Founding Partner
Who Should You Call to Defend a San Diego Employer in a Wage and Hour Dispute
Who should you call to defend a San Diego employer in a wage and hour dispute or PAGA case? If you face the California Labor Commission or a federal agency we will seek a dismissal of your case or a $0 decision. If opposing counsel is threatening a lawsuit or PAGA action we will work to prevent this from occurring and if it is already filed seek a dismissal of the case. Are you looking for seasoned employment defense lawyers with a proven track record of experienced defense for a California employer in a wage and hour dispute? We invite you to review our podcast Episode 39 – What Keeps Employers Up at Night as well as the strong recommendations of our clients and contact the Watkins Firm or call 858-535-1511 for a complimentary consultation today.
