A former employee has filed a lawsuit against a local automotive repair business, alleging multiple labor law violations. On September 19, 2024, Eduin Osbaldo Alatorre Rivera filed a complaint in the Superior Court of California, County of Ventura, against Commercial Autobody & Paint, Inc., and its owner Jose G. Reveles.
Rivera's lawsuit details numerous grievances against his former employer, including failure to pay minimum wage, overtime compensation, and provide adequate meal and rest breaks. According to the complaint, Rivera worked as a laborer for approximately one and a half years until May 15, 2024. During this time, he claims that the company failed to keep accurate records of hours worked and often rounded down employees' work hours inaccurately. Rivera also alleges that employees were required to work off-the-clock without compensation and were not reimbursed for work-related expenses such as personal cell phone use.
The plaintiff asserts that these actions are in direct violation of several sections of the California Labor Code and Industrial Welfare Commission Wage Orders. For instance, Rivera claims that Commercial Autobody & Paint did not pay him or other employees for overtime hours worked beyond eight hours per day or forty hours per week. Additionally, he alleges that the company did not provide compliant meal or rest breaks as mandated by law.
Rivera's complaint also highlights the company's failure to furnish accurate wage statements and final wages upon discharge. He argues that these omissions caused significant financial harm and confusion about his entitlements under California labor laws. The lawsuit seeks various forms of relief including unpaid wages, statutory penalties, compensatory damages for emotional distress, restitution for unfair business practices under California Business & Professions Code Section 17200 et seq., and civil penalties under the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA).
The plaintiff is represented by Sarkis Sirmabekian from Sirmabekian Law Firm PC. The case is presided over by Judge Brenda L. McCormick with Case ID: 2024CUOQE030822.