HOUSTON — A welder has filed a class action lawsuit against an oil and gas exploration company, alleging violation of workers compensation acts in failing to pay overtime.
Phillip Lanier, individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated, filed a complaint June 8 in the Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas against Apache Corporation, alleging violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act.
According to the complaint, Lanier worked for Apache from 2009 to 2015 and regularly worked in excess of 40 hours each week without receiving overtime compensation. The plaintiff alleges Apache improperly classified Lanier as an independent contractor, paying him straight hourly rate with no overtime compensation as required by FLSA.
Lanier seeks trial by jury, an order certifying this case as a collective action, unpaid back wages, liquidated damages, attorney fees, costs, pre- and post-judgment interest and all other necessary and appropriate relief. He is represented by attorneys Michael A. Josephson, Andrew W. Dunlap, Lindsay R. Itkin and Jessica M. Bresler of Josephson Dunlap Law Firm in Houston, and by Richard J. (Rex) Burch of Bruckner Burch PLLC in Houston.
Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas case number 4:17-cv-01734