9 Tools To Manage PAGA Claims After Calif. High Court Ruling

On Jan. 18, the California Supreme Court issued its decision in Estrada v. Royalty Carpet Mills Inc., finding that trial courts lack inherent authority to strike claims under the Private Attorneys General Act on manageability grounds.

This article addresses the potential impact of the decision on California employers, and options that employers and courts may consider to handle these cases.

Wave of PAGA Lawsuits Likely to Continue

Sending a letter alleging the facts and theories of violations is a prerequisite for an employee to file a civil lawsuit asserting a PAGA claim on behalf of the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency.

Every month, hundreds of letters are sent to the LWDA against California employers. The letters often allege the same types of claims, asserting employers have violated requirements for meal and rest periods, overtime pay, minimum wage, wage statements, and waiting time penalties. And they often allege that such