In recent news, a lawsuit alleges that DCH Torrance Imports Inc. violated the labor code by failing to provide their employees with timely rest breaks and meal periods.

The Case: Aaron Castro v. DCH Torrance Imports Inc. ("DCH Toyota of Torrance")

The Court: Los Angeles County Superior Court of the State of California

The Case No.: 23STCV02400,

The Plaintiff: Aaron Castro v. DCH Torrance Imports Inc. (DCH Toyota of Torrance)

The plaintiff in the case, Aaron Castro, filed a class action complaint against the defendant, DCH Torrance Imports Inc (DCH Toyota of Torrance). Castro was employed by the defendant in the case since December 2012 as a non-exempt employee paid hourly plus non-discretionary bonuses. As a non-exempt employee, Castro is entitled to labor law protection, including minimum wages, overtime pay, rest periods, and meal breaks, as determined by federal and state labor laws. Allegedly the company failed to provide employees with timely, off-duty meal and rest periods and engaged in uniform practices and policies that failed to fully compensate employees for their time and, in doing so, violated California State Labor Law.

The Defendant: Aaron Castro v. DCH Torrance Imports Inc. (DCH Toyota of Torrance)

The defendant in the case, DCH Torrance Imports Inc. (Toyota of Torrance), is a California corporation that owns, operates, or manages auto dealerships throughout California, including the location in Los Angeles county where the plaintiff, Aaron Castro, worked. California law requires all employers to pay their employees on the designated payday for each pay period, to provide employees no less than the established minimum wage for hours worked, and to calculate hours worked as the time during which an employee is "subject to the control of an employer" including the time the employee is permitted to work, even if they are not required to work. Allegedly, DCH Toyota of Torrance required employees to perform off-the-clock work before and after their scheduled shifts and during their meal breaks and rest periods. The company also allegedly failed to compensate employees for the time spent under the employer's control when performing off-the-clock work. This alleged uniform practice at the company resulted in the claimed violations of minimum wage and overtime law.

The Allegations: Aaron Castro v. DCH Torrance Imports Inc. (DCH Toyota of Torrance)

According to court documents, the plaintiff alleges that the defendant, DCH Toyota of Torrance, allegedly violated numerous labor laws (California Labor Code Sections §§ 201, 202, 203, 204, 210, 226, 226.7, 246, 510, 512, 558, 1194, 1197, 1197.1, 1198, and 2802) when they engaged in the following business practices and activities:

Failing to pay minimum wages

Failing to pay overtime wages

Failing to provide required meal and rest periods

Failing to pay wages when due

Failing to provide accurate itemized wage statements

Failing to reimburse employees for required expenses

The Case: Aaron Castro v. DCH Torrance Imports Inc. (DCH Toyota of Torrance)

The plaintiffs and class members seek an injunction to prevent the company from engaging in future repeat labor law violations and relief for economic injuries incurred due to DCH Toyota of Torrance's allegedly illegal business practices and policies. The case, Aaron Castro v. DCH Torrance Imports Inc., is currently pending in the Los Angeles County Superior Court of the State of California.

If you have questions about how to file a California class action overtime lawsuit, please get in touch with Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik DeBlouw LLP. Experienced class action attorneys are ready to assist you in various law firm offices in San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento, Los Angeles, Riverside, and Chicago.