Los Angeles County
Meal and Rest Break Lawyer

At Seligson Law, we fight for workers across Los Angeles and California’s Central Valley who have been denied their legally required meal and rest breaks. If you’ve been forced to work through lunch, pressured to skip rest breaks, or not properly paid when breaks were missed, your rights have been violated. You deserve fair treatment and compensation for your time.

Led by employment attorney Ken Seligson, our firm helps employees in industries like restaurants, construction, trucking, farming, car sales, fast food, and grocery stores hold employers accountable for ignoring California’s strong labor protections.

What Are Your Rights to Meal & Rest Breaks in California?

Employers who fail to provide these breaks or pressure employees to skip them are breaking the law and may owe you additional pay.

Meal Breaks: You’re entitled to a 30-minute unpaid meal break after 5 hours of work. If your shift is longer than 10 hours, you’re entitled to a second meal break.
Rest Breaks: You must receive a paid 10-minute rest break for every 4 hours worked.
Compensation for Missed Breaks: If your employer fails to provide a meal or rest break, they must pay you one additional hour of wages for each violation.

Employers who fail to follow these rules are responsible for compensating affected workers.

Exempt vs. Non-Exempt

Under California Labor Code § 512, non-exempt employees are entitled to meal and rest breaks. Common myths from employers include claiming that “exempt” workers or certain industries are not covered, but that’s often false.

You are likely covered if you:

Are paid hourly
Work in retail, restaurants, fast food, trucking, construction, or farming
Don’t supervise other employees or make executive-level decisions

If your employer has denied you breaks, our team can review your classification and determine whether your rights were violated.

Common Break Violations We See in Los Angeles County

Workers in fast-paced industries are often the most affected by break violations. We represent employees in cases involving:

Being pressured to work through lunch or breaks
Any meal break less than 30 minutes or interrupted meal breaks
Lack of second meal breaks for longer shifts

Rest breaks were skipped due to understaffing
Failure to pay the additional hour of wages owed for missed breaks

These aren’t small oversights, they’re serious violations of California labor law. Over time, missed meal and rest periods can cost workers thousands of dollars in unpaid wages and penalties. They also take a toll on health, safety, and overall well-being, especially in industries where physical labor and long hours are common, such as construction, farming, and food service.

At Seligson Law, we know how difficult it can be to push back when you rely on your job to support yourself and your family. That’s why we step in: to hold employers accountable, recover the pay you’re owed, and make sure you’re treated with the dignity the law guarantees.

Our Process for Meal & Rest Break Claims

At Seligson Law, our process is built on transparency and trust. Here’s what you can expect:

Initial Consultation

We start with a private, confidential consultation to listen to your experience and assess potential claims.

Strategic Planning

We explain your rights and outline your legal options—including agency filings, settlement talks, or litigation.

Action & Advocacy

Our attorneys act swiftly to file the necessary claims, respond to employer pushback, and protect you at every turn.

Resolution & Results

Whether through settlement or trial, we pursue outcomes that provide closure and justice.

Get started today: 213-293-6692

FAQs

What types of cases do you handle?

We represent workers denied meal breaks, forced to skip rest breaks, not paid for missed breaks, or pressured into “on-duty” meals without proper agreements. We also take on cases where employers create schedules that make legally required breaks practically impossible.

Who can file a meal or rest break claim in California?

Any non-exempt employee, including part-time, seasonal, or temporary workers, may file if denied their breaks. Even if you were paid in cash or worked informally, you may still have the right to file.

How do I know if my break rights were violated?

If you regularly skipped meals, had shortened or interrupted breaks, or were not paid an extra hour of wages when breaks were missed, you may have a claim. Keeping records of your shifts and pay can strengthen your case.

What laws protect employees in California?

The California Labor Code and Industrial Welfare Commission Wage Orders require employers to provide meal and rest breaks. These laws apply across industries, from restaurants and trucking to farming and retail.

How long do I have to file a claim?

In most cases, you have three years to file a claim for missed meal and rest breaks. The sooner you act, the easier it is to gather evidence and recover the pay you deserve.

Can my employer punish me for filing a claim?

No. Retaliation for asserting your break rights is illegal. If it happens, you may also be entitled to damages for wrongful termination or workplace retaliation.

Do part-time employees get meals and rest breaks?

Yes. Break laws apply to all non-exempt employees, no matter how many total hours you work per week. Even a short shift may entitle you to rest breaks under California law.

Contact Our Meal & Rest Break Attorneys in Los Angeles County

Break violations are not just inconvenient, they’re illegal, and they cost workers valuable time and money. Our attorneys at Seligson Law have helped employees across Los Angeles and the Central Valley recover compensation for missed meal and rest breaks, and we’re ready to do the same for you. Reach out at 213-293-6692 to get started.

Get started today: 213-293-6692