A Houston area woman is suing her employer alleging violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act prior to and during 2015.
Maria Castillo filed a lawsuit against Car Wash Etc. Inc. and Lloyd S. Downing of Cypress, in the Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas on Aug. 20, claiming labor law violation during her period of employment with the defendant ending in May 2015.
According to the lawsuit, Castillo worked as a general laborer for the defendant from 2003 until May 23, 2015, performing tasks such as sweeping floors, laundering, cleaning, and hand drying vehicles. Castillo avers that she often worked up to 10 hours per day for six and sometimes even seven days per week without being compensated fairly.
The complaint states that the defendant generally paid the plaintiff for less than 40 hours per workweek, “stealing over half of her pay.” Consequently, the suit states, her employer illegally paid her an hourly rate less than federal minimum wage and with no overtime rate.
Charging the business and its owner with willful and blatant disregard for her protected rights, the lawsuit holds the defendants responsible for recovery of unpaid minimum wage and overtime payments for a period of three years prior to the filing.
Castillo seeks judgment against the defendants for compensation equal to her unpaid minimum wages and overtime wages at the applicable rate, plus an equal amount in liquidated damages or pre-judgment interest, attorney’s fees, expenses, and costs. The plaintiff is represented by Josef Buenker of Houston.
Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas Case 4:15-cv-02410