LOS ANGELES — A former registered nurse supervisor at the Brookdale Camarillo senior living facility recently filed a potential class action lawsuit against the nursing home’s parent company and largest assisted living facility chain, Brookdale. The claim alleges the defendant failed to pay the plaintiff and other nursing home workers for all their hours worked, including overtime wages and compensation for not taking an uninterrupted 30-minute meal break.
The unpaid overtime class action lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, could end up recovering overtime wages for as many as 200 other potential claimants, if successful. Brookdale also faces another, unrelated civil lawsuit in Florida over allegations the company failed to adequately staff its facilities to meet resident needs despite charging extra money for increased services.
Plaintiffs Denied Overtime and Meal Breaks
According to the complaint, Brookdale maintained a strict overtime policy allowing nurses and other non-exempt staff to work overtime only when approved by management. However, the plaintiff contends the workload and demands placed on staff by the facility meant employees were forced to clock out after eight hours and then spend another two to six extra hours on the job.
Furthermore, the plaintiff alleges the defendant denied its nurses and staff a 30-minute meal break mandated under California wage and labor laws and forced employees to work through their entire shift. Under state law, workers must be compensated with an additional hour of regular hourly pay should employers be unable to offer an uninterrupted meal break.
The class action unpaid overtime lawsuit seeks back pay with interest for all similarly affected claimants, liquidated damages, and attorneys fees to cover the cost of litigating the matter. Additionally, the lawsuit seeks an injunction against the defendant to prevent future wage theft from taking place. As the country’s biggest chain of nursing home facilities, the lawsuit could have a tremendous impact on the business operations of many other assisted living facilities with similar business practices.
Health Care Worker Unpaid Overtime Lawsuit
Call (855) 754-2795 or complete the Free Unpaid Overtime Case Review form on the top right of this page if you believe that your wage rights are being violated under the FLSA. Our top-rated team of unpaid wage lawyers will evaluate your situation to determine your best course of action to help you seek justice.
Our office will also determine if it is in your best interest to file a lawsuit against your employer. Because strict time limitations apply for filing these types of claims, we advise you contact our experienced unpaid overtime wage attorneys at your earliest convenience and preserve your legal rights.