Angelica Rachel Ayala has filed a lawsuit against Ventura Orthopedics Medical Group, Inc., accusing the company of multiple labor law violations. The complaint was lodged on January 31, 2025, in the Superior Court of California for the County of Ventura. Ayala's claims are centered around the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA), which allows employees to sue for civil penalties on behalf of themselves and other aggrieved workers.
Ayala, represented by Wilshire Law Firm, alleges that Ventura Orthopedics failed to pay for all hours worked, including minimum wage and overtime. She also claims that the company did not provide proper meal and rest breaks, maintain accurate records, or timely pay final wages upon termination. According to Ayala, these actions violate several sections of the California Labor Code. "Defendants' violations... were willful and deliberate," states the complaint, highlighting the intentional nature of these alleged infractions.
The lawsuit outlines numerous grievances: failure to compensate for off-the-clock work during meal periods; neglecting to authorize rest breaks; not paying earned wages twice monthly; and providing inaccurate wage statements. Additionally, Ayala accuses Ventura Orthopedics of not indemnifying employees for necessary expenditures like cell phone costs incurred during their duties. The plaintiff seeks civil penalties under PAGA for these violations but does not pursue general damages or restitution at this time.
Ayala's legal team argues that Ventura Orthopedics was aware of its unlawful practices yet chose not to correct them. They emphasize that such actions contravene California's wage-and-hour laws designed to protect workers' rights and ensure fair compensation. By bringing this case forward, Ayala aims to recover penalties on behalf of herself and other affected employees while prompting compliance with state labor regulations.
The plaintiff is seeking various forms of relief from the court: declaratory judgment affirming Ventura Orthopedics' legal breaches; civil penalties under PAGA; pre-judgment and post-judgment interest; attorneys’ fees; injunctive relief compelling adherence to labor laws; and any additional remedies deemed appropriate by the court.
The case is being handled by attorneys John G. Yslas, William M. Pao, and W. Christina Chang from Wilshire Law Firm PLC. The presiding judge in this matter has yet to be named as per Case No. #025 CUME03r"40.