California · Free Case Value Calculator
California Wage & Hour Claim Calculator
Estimate how much you may be owed in unpaid wages, overtime, or wage theft. Our calculator applies federal FLSA rules and your state's specific labor laws, penalty multipliers, and liquidated damages under California's specific laws.
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Key California Laws
Filing Deadline
3 years
Negligence System
Pure Comparative Fault
California Wage & Hour Claim FAQs
You are owed the full amount of unpaid wages plus, under most state and federal law, liquidated damages equal to the unpaid amount — effectively doubling your recovery. Many states also require employers to pay your attorney's fees, and willful violations can trigger additional civil penalties.
Common violations include: failure to pay overtime (1.5x for hours over 40/week), employee misclassification as independent contractors, off-the-clock work, illegal tip pooling, minimum wage violations, failure to provide meal and rest breaks, and improper deductions from paychecks.
In California, you have 3 years from the date of the incident to file a lawsuit. Missing this deadline permanently bars your right to recover — act promptly and consult an attorney before the deadline approaches.
Yes. Retaliation for asserting wage rights is illegal under federal and state law. You can file with your state labor board, the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division, or hire a private employment attorney. Many wage attorneys handle these cases on contingency with no upfront cost.
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