RENO, Nev. — A group of current and former prison guards recently filed a class action unpaid overtime lawsuit against the state of Nevada claiming they are each owed tens of thousands of dollars in back pay, damages, and interest.
The claim seeks to represent hundreds and potentially thousands of guards and could be worth a total of $60 million if the judge hearing the case allows certain portions of the claims to proceed in state and federal courts.
According to the class action unpaid overtime lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in New Mexico, the plaintiffs spend up to 45 minutes before and after each shift taking part in briefings, equipment pick-ups, and uniform inspections. The plaintiffs claim they are not paid for this time as the state contends these off-the-clock duties are small and therefore do not have to be compensated.
The federal judge hearing the case disagreed and called the guards’ duties “integral and indispensable” to the jobs performed by the plaintiffs.
To date, an estimated 500 current and former guards have joined the claim. Attorneys for the plaintiffs believe that each plaintiff could be in line to receive anywhere from $20,000 to $40,000 for six years of back pay, interest, and damages.
However, an estimated 3,000 total workers could join the lawsuit if the same judge hearing the case allows claims to proceed under New Mexico’s own labor and wage laws.
Unfortunately, these types of claims are all too common in the law enforcement community where state and local governments try to keep their agencies’ budgets as small as possible at the expense of the brave men and women who put their lives on the line every day at work to keep us safe.
Recent court rulings and lawsuits have challenged the assertion of many different types of employers that workers do not need to be compensated for tasks performed before and after their shifts, with some lawsuits producing significant verdicts for plaintiffs.
Prison Guard Unpaid Overtime Lawsuit
Call (855) 754-2795 or complete the Free Unpaid Overtime Case Review form on the top right of this page if you feel that your wage rights are being violated under the FLSA.
Our top-rated team of unpaid wage lawyers will evaluate your situation to determine your best course of action to help you seek justice. Our office will also determine if it is in your best interest to file a lawsuit against your employer.
Because strict time limitations apply for filing these types of claims, we advise you contact our experienced unpaid overtime wage attorneys at your earliest convenience and preserve your legal rights.