What is the IFPA? It is the Insurance Fraud Protection Act and presents a tool to combat fraud while providing our clients with a supplemental recovery opportunity for injustices they have suffered.
To start with, it is illegal make a written or oral statement to an insurance company in support of or against benefits, knowing that the statement contains any false or misleading information.
Relevant to your case this may take the form of an employer denying you were hurt, hiding evidence, lying about how the injury occurred, lying about your wages or even denying you were an employee.
When anyone lies to the insurer the IFPA comes into play. It provides for a penalty of three times the value of the fraud plus attorney fees. It is a powerful tool to combat fraud and the whistleblower, who is almost always the injured worker, is rewarded with up to half the penalty for helping the State of California fight insurance fraud.
While the propaganda is that injured workers commit fraud, the reality is that employers commit fraud, too. We have successfully prosecuted IFPA cases against government entities, large banks, large retailers, manufacturers, etc. Those successes result in additional recovery for our clients.
We look at fraud potential in every case.
Wage And Hour FAQs
Many workers feel they have been wrongly denied wages they earned, but are unsure of their rights. At English Lloyd & Armenta, we are here to help educate you. Once you understand your legal rights and your options, you can decide whether pursuing a wage and hour claim is right for you.
Our firm has been representing workers in Rancho Mirage and the Coachella Valley for more than 30 years. We can help you.
See below for general answers to common wage and hour FAQs, or contact our firm online or call 760-760-HELP for information specific to your wage and hour dispute.
Will I Get Fired For Pursuing My Claim?
Many people are worried they will lose their jobs if they file a legal claim against their employers. While employers don’t have the legal right to fire you for filing a wage and hour claim, they do have the power to do it. If you are fired for bringing a wage and hour claim, we can file a second claim for retaliation against them. Our lawyers will discuss your case with you to determine if taking legal action is a risk you are willing to take.
How Do I Know If I’m Exempt From Overtime?
Only certain employees are exempt from overtime — such as managers and other people who help make managerial decisions. If you have been “promoted” to management but are still completing the tasks of a regular worker, you may still be entitled to overtime. Contact our office to discuss your case in more detail.
Is It Legal For My Employer To Deny Meal And Rest Breaks?
No. It is not legal. In California, you are entitled to a 30-minute unpaid meal break if you work more than five hours in a day. If you work more than 10 hours in one day, you must be given a second 30-minute break.
How Long Will My Case Take?
The length of your case really depends on your employers. If they are willing to submit to your claim and pay what is owed, your case may be over relatively quickly. If litigation is required your case may take up to three years to complete. At English Lloyd & Armenta, we have never lost a wage and hour case in court. If we advise you to try your case, you can trust our abilities to get you the money you are owed.
How Much Will It Cost To Hire An Attorney?
TAt English Lloyd & Armenta, we provide free consultations and take all wage and hour cases on a contingency basis. You won’t pay us anything unless we recover compensation for you. In general, if we are able to prove your wage and hour claim, your employer will be responsible for paying all of our attorneys’ fees.
Call 760-760-HELP for a free consultation. Se habla español.
Stalled Serious
Injury Cases
We specialize in reviving and closing stalled workers’ comp cases on your behalf.
Workers’
Compensation
We work hard to get you the proper medical care and full benefits you deserve.
