Castronovo & McKinney, LLC handles complex employment class actions on behalf of employees who have been treated unfairly in New Jersey workplaces. Class action lawsuits effectively protect workers against discrimination, wage and hour violations, and fiduciary breaches that jeopardize their retirement plans.
Our firm has the skills and resources to prosecute class actions in state and federal courts. We work to recover damages for our clients and improve their working conditions. When you become our client, your case will be handled by an accomplished class action attorney who has extensive experience handling collective legal actions. Because we assume the risk of going to court, you will not pay any attorneys’ fees until we obtain damages on behalf of the class members. Contact our Morristown or Manhattan office today to get started.
What is an Employment Class Action Lawsuit?
An employment class-action lawsuit combines multiple claims of individuals who have been subjected to the same unlawful conduct in the workplace. When an employer’s illegal actions have impacted numerous employees or job applicants, pursuing a class action is more efficient than filing individual lawsuits.
Certain legal requirements must be met for a group of employees to form a class. Generally, the group must be so large that pursuing individual actions would be impractical and the class members must share common questions of fact or law. Also, the class representatives must fairly and adequately represent the claims of all class members.
There is no specific number of people who have been affected to bring a class-action lawsuit, however, at least 40 or more people is generally sufficient. A judge will determine whether to certify the class and allow the collective action to proceed.
Once the class is certified, attorneys notify all potential class members about the lawsuit and inform them of their rights and options. Class members have the right to opt-out and pursue individual lawsuits, but they will not share in any settlement or monetary award obtained as a result of the class action.
If your employer has discriminated against you or violated other employment laws, you may be able to represent the class or participate in the lawsuit. Our legal team is here to help you understand your rights and explore your options.
Employment Discrimination Class Action Lawsuit
Our firm is dedicated to helping workers fight discrimination in the workplace. Federal and New Jersey laws protect workers from discrimination based on age, race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, disability, sexual identity, and other protected characteristics. Applicable laws that prohibit employment discrimination include:
- Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
- Equal Pay Act of 1963 (EPA)
- Pregnancy Discrimination Act
- Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA)
- Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA)
- New Jersey Law Against Discrimination
Employment discrimination can occur in several ways. An employer may refuse to hire a job applicant because of his or her race, deny a pregnant employee family medical leave, or exclusively target older workers in a layoff. Our employment lawyers have a proven history of holding employers accountable for discriminatory conduct and policies through class-action lawsuits and obtaining significant damages on behalf of aggrieved employees.
Wage and Hour Violations
Federal and state laws require employers to pay workers a minimum wage, provide overtime pay to eligible employees, and properly classify employees. However, wage and hour violations are common in New Jersey. Employers frequently withhold pay, require their employees to work off the clock, or misclassify employees as independent contractors.
Wage and hour violations are usually systemic, affecting large numbers of employees and adding up to millions of dollars in employee losses. If you discover this unlawful behavior is occurring company-wide, a class-action lawsuit is an especially powerful tool to recover lost wages and other damages.
The federal Fair Labor Standard Act (FLSA) protects workers from wage theft by mandating at least the minimum wage and overtime pay for covered employees. New Jersey law places stricter requirements on employers regarding minimum wage and hour laws. At Castronovo & McKinney, we have a demonstrated track record of helping workers recover all of their rightful wages. You can trust our class action attorneys to help you pursue all available legal remedies.
Employee Benefits and ERISA Class Action Lawsuits
The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) protects employees who participate in voluntary retirement and health plans. ERISA requires fiduciaries to abide by specific duties, act in the plan’s best interests, and avoid conflicts of interest. If your employer engages in investment negligence or fraud, pursuing an ERISA class-action lawsuit can help you recover any losses and prevent further damage to the plan.
Contact An Experienced Employment Class Action Lawsuit Attorney Today!
Employment class-action lawsuits are more complicated than individual lawsuits because of the number of participants, witnesses, and evidence involved. For this reason, it is crucial to work with an attorney who knows how to handle class actions. Collective legal action can help to bring your employer to the negotiating table, and help you obtain meaningful compensation. Whether you have been subjected to discrimination, wage theft, or other illegal conduct by your employer, our firm is here to help you fight back. Contact our office today for a consultation.