A leading provider of solar energy solutions in Sacramento, CA, is facing a class action lawsuit for alleged violations of the California Labor Code and Business and Professions Code. The complaint was filed by Brandon Caston on September 19, 2024, in the Superior Court of California for the County of Sacramento against North Valley, LLC.
The plaintiff, Brandon Caston, who worked as a Solar Installation Technician from June 3, 2024, to August 23, 2024, alleges that North Valley LLC failed to pay all overtime compensation and sick pay wages due to incorrect calculations of the "regular rate of pay." Additionally, Caston claims that the company's meal and rest period policies did not allow non-exempt employees to take compliant breaks or receive premium wages in lieu thereof. He further accuses North Valley LLC of providing inaccurate wage statements and failing to reimburse necessary business expenses. These allegations extend to all similarly situated non-exempt employees who have worked for the company over the past four years.
Caston's complaint details multiple violations under various sections of the California Labor Code. For instance, he argues that North Valley LLC did not include all forms of compensation such as shift pay, commissions, incentives, stipends, and non-discretionary bonuses when calculating overtime pay. This omission allegedly led to employees not receiving their rightful overtime wages. Moreover, Caston asserts that North Valley LLC's failure to provide legally compliant meal and rest periods violated Labor Code §§ 226.7 and 512. "Due to Defendant’s uniform meal period practices," Caston states in his complaint, "non-exempt employees were also regularly denied legally compliant meal periods."
In addition to these claims, Caston alleges that North Valley LLC did not reimburse employees for necessary business expenses like cell phone use and other tools required for their job duties. This failure purportedly violates Labor Code §§ 2802-2804. Furthermore, he contends that the company issued wage statements lacking essential information such as total hours worked and correct hourly rates.
The plaintiff seeks several forms of relief from the court: certification of the proposed classes; appointment of himself as class representative; compensatory damages; statutory penalties; restitution; prejudgment interest on unpaid wages; and attorney’s fees and costs. Specifically, Caston demands compensatory damages for unpaid overtime wages under Labor Code §§ 204, 210, 510, 1194, and 1198; damages for missed meal periods under Labor Code §§ 226.7 and 512; penalties for inaccurate wage statements under Labor Code § 226(a); waiting time penalties under Labor Code §§ 201-203; reimbursement for necessary business expenditures under Labor Code § 2802; and restitution under Business and Professions Code §17200 et seq.
Representing Brandon Caston are attorneys Joshua S. Falakassa from Falakassa Law P.C., and Mehrdad Bokhour from Bokhour Law Group P.C. The case has been assigned Case No.: 242 °OTS816 with Judge Russell presiding.