Bradford Alan McDermott has taken a bold step in the fight for workers' rights by filing a class action lawsuit against his former employers, alleging multiple violations of California labor laws. The complaint was filed on April 17, 2025, in the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara, targeting Vitamin World USA Corporation and other associated entities. This legal battle seeks to address significant grievances related to unpaid wages and unfair labor practices.
The lawsuit, spearheaded by McDermott on behalf of himself and others similarly situated, accuses Vitamin World USA Corporation and its affiliates—Coachella Valley Behavioral Health and Indio Behavioral Health—of numerous infractions against the California Labor Code. The plaintiff claims that these companies failed to provide meal and rest periods as required by law, neglected to pay overtime wages at the correct rate, did not offer proper sick pay or vacation wages, and failed to furnish accurate wage statements. "Defendants have applied centrally devised policies and practices," McDermott asserts in his complaint, which allegedly resulted in systematic underpayment and mistreatment of employees.
McDermott's legal team argues that these actions constitute not only breaches of specific labor codes but also amount to unfair competition under California's Business and Professions Code. They contend that such practices have allowed the defendants to gain an unlawful competitive advantage over other businesses that comply with state regulations. In particular, McDermott highlights how employees were not reimbursed for necessary business expenses incurred during their employment—a violation that further exacerbates the financial strain on affected workers.
The plaintiff is seeking comprehensive relief from the court. This includes unpaid wages for all hours worked beyond regular shifts without proper compensation, liquidated damages for withheld earnings, restitution for unreimbursed expenses, statutory penalties for failure to adhere to labor laws, and injunctive relief to prevent future violations. Additionally, McDermott demands declaratory relief recognizing the rights of employees under current labor statutes. The lawsuit also calls for a jury trial to adjudicate these matters transparently.
Representing Bradford Alan McDermott are attorneys Emil Davtyan (SBN 299363), David Yeremian (SBN 226337), David Keledjian (SBN 309135), and Elizabeth Harrier (SBN 319550) from D.LAW Inc., based in Glendale, CA. The case is presided over by Judge M. Aréchiga under Case ID #25CV463864.