Wage Theft Lawyer in Compton

Compton wage theft cases are pursued under California's broad employment-protection framework, including FEHA (Government Code section 12940), Title VII, and Labor Code sections 1102.5/6310. Strict filing deadlines apply: CRD 3 years; EEOC 300 days. We represent employees only, never employers. Free confidential consultation.

What Are Wage and Hour Claims in Compton

Compton workers are entitled to the highest of: federal minimum wage ($7.25/hour), California state minimum wage ($16.90/hour effective January 1, 2026 under California Labor Code section 1182.12), or any applicable local minimum wage. Compton has no separate citywide minimum-wage ordinance; the California state minimum wage of $16.90/hour applies. Fast-food workers at chains with 60 or more national locations earn at least $20.00/hour under AB 1228 (California Labor Code section 1474) since April 1, 2024. Healthcare workers at covered facilities earn tiered rates under SB 525 (California Labor Code sections 1182.14, 1182.15, 1182.16) reaching $25/hour at large hospital systems on July 1, 2026.

Compton Industries Where Wage and Hour Violations Are Most Common

• Warehouse, logistics, and distribution workers - at the Ralphs/Kroger Compton Distribution Center (2201 S. Wilmington Avenue - part of the Ralphs/Food4Less/Kroger system; additional Kroger logistics at 1100 W. Artesia Boulevard), Best Buy Compton Distribution Center (230 Towne Center Drive - opened October 2017 with 90+ employees, ramping to 125+ during holidays), Goodman Logistics Center Compton, Noatum Logistics, and dozens of smaller 3PL and fulfillment operators along the I-710 / I-105 / Alameda Corridor. Covered by California's Warehouse Quotas Act, AB 701 (California Labor Code sections 2100-2112), client-employer liability under Labor Code section 2810.3, and piece-rate compensation under Labor Code section 226.2.
• Manufacturing and industrial workers - at Green Mountain Corporation, 4 Wheel Parts (both listed on Zippia's biggest Compton employers list), and other manufacturers across Compton's industrial corridors. Common claims: wage and hour, Cal/OSHA retaliation (Labor Code section 6310), piece-rate (Labor Code section 226.2), and Cal-WARN mass-layoff notice (Labor Code sections 1400-1408).
• Education workers - at Compton College / Compton Community College District (1111 E. Artesia Boulevard - originally established 1927, serves five Trustee Areas encompassing 12 cities) and Compton Unified School District. Protected by Skelly v. State Personnel Board (1975) 15 Cal.3d 194 due-process rights and California Whistleblower Protection Act, Cal. Government Code section 8547.
• Public-sector workers - at the City of Compton (205 S. Willowbrook Avenue - charter city, incorporated May 11, 1888), Compton Police Department / LA County Sheriff's Department - Compton Station (under contract), Compton Unified, Compton CCD, and other Los Angeles County agencies. Subject to the 6-month Government Claims Act deadline under Cal. Government Code section 911.2 for parallel tort claims.
• Retail, restaurant, and small-business workers - along Compton Boulevard, Long Beach Boulevard, Alondra Boulevard, and Artesia Boulevard, including the Gateway Towne Center. Fast-food workers at chains with 60 or more national locations earn the $20.00/hour AB 1228 floor (California Labor Code section 1474). Common claims: wage and hour, commission disputes (Labor Code section 2751), and sexual harassment under FEHA Cal. Government Code section 12940(j).
• Transportation and port-adjacent workers - serving the Alameda Corridor freight rail line connecting the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach to inland distribution networks, plus drayage and trucking operations on I-710. Port truck drivers are protected against misclassification under California Labor Code section 2775 (ABC test from Dynamex codified in AB 5/AB 2257) and against wage theft under Labor Code section 2810.4 (port drayage motor carriers and customers).

Compton Local Protections

Compton has no separate citywide minimum-wage, hotel-worker, fair-workweek, healthcare-worker, or paid-sick-leave ordinance beyond California state law. Compton is a charter city (incorporated May 11, 1888) and reserves the right to enact local labor ordinances in the future under its police power. Compton workers currently rely on the state-level floor under California Labor Code section 1182.12 ($16.90/hour effective January 1, 2026) plus industry-specific state rules including AB 1228 ($20/hour fast-food), SB 525 (healthcare-worker tiered schedule), and AB 701 (warehouse quotas - directly relevant to Compton's major distribution employers).

California Paid Sick Leave (Labor Code sections 245-249) requires at least 40 hours (5 days) of paid sick leave per year, effective January 1, 2024. The 2026 exempt-salary floor is $70,304/year (twice the state minimum wage, per DIR News 2025-118).

California Law

For the full California wage-and-hour framework, including overtime (Labor Code section 510), meal and rest breaks (sections 512 and 226.7), wage statements (section 226), waiting-time penalties (section 203), expense reimbursement (section 2802), and PAGA (sections 2698 et seq.), see our California employment law page.

What Compensation Can You Recover

Unpaid wages, overtime, missed meal/rest premiums (one hour of pay per missed break), wage-statement penalties (up to $4,000 per employee under Labor Code section 226(e)), waiting-time penalties (up to 30 days of pay under Labor Code section 203), interest, liquidated damages on minimum-wage shortfalls, and attorneys' fees and costs (Labor Code section 1194). For details, see our California employment law page.

How to File a Wage Claim in Compton

Wage claims can be filed with the California Labor Commissioner (DLSE Long Beach Office, 300 Oceangate, 3rd Floor, Long Beach, CA 90802). Civil suits are heard at the Los Angeles County Superior Court, Compton Courthouse, 200 West Compton Boulevard, Compton, CA 90220. Call us at 1-800-371-3088 before any deadline.