Active cases

Sanford DeRose Trial Lawyers, LLP, along with Nilges Draher LLC, filed a lawsuit on behalf of hourly employees at McDonald’s franchise locations in the Northern District of Ohio (Case No. 1:25-cv-00928), alleging violations of federal and state wage laws.

The lawsuit claims that hourly employees regularly worked more than 40 hours in a workweek but were paid their straight-time hourly rate for hours exceeding 40. It also alleges that employees were required to perform off-the-clock work without pay, such as phone calls and scheduling, and to work through unpaid meal breaks.

Jones, et al. v. The Ford Motor Company was filed on behalf of Process Coaches working at Ford Motor Company, alleging violations of federal and state wage laws. The case is being heard in Ohio (Case No. 3:24-cv-02112) before Judge Jack Zouhary.

The lawsuit alleges that Process Coaches were wrongly classified, were not paid correctly for overtime, and did not receive pay for all hours worked.

Hockey, et al. v. Seafood Shake Boil Strongsville, Inc. was filed in the Northern District of Ohio (Case No. 1:25-cv-00089) before Judge Christopher A. Boyko on behalf of servers and bartenders, alleging violations of federal and Ohio state wage laws.

The lawsuit claims that employees were forced to participate in unlawful tip-sharing practices, including sharing tips with kitchen staff and management. It also alleges that servers and bartenders were required to perform significant non-tip-producing tasks, such as cleaning bathrooms and taking out the trash before and after customer service, while earning less than minimum wage.

The plaintiffs seek compensation for lost tips and unpaid wages, among other relief.

A lawsuit was filed against East Ohio Regional Hospital and Dr. John Johnson, alleging violations of federal and state wage laws and the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act.

The lawsuit claims that employees were not paid properly, including a failure to receive final paychecks covering hours worked and overtime. It also alleges that the hospital failed to provide the legally required 60 days’ notice before its closure and mass layoffs, leaving employees without time to prepare for the loss of their jobs.

The lawsuit seeks compensation on behalf of former East Ohio Regional Hospital employees affected by these alleged practices.

A federal lawsuit was filed against Rise Brands, Inc., the parent company of Pins Mechanical Co., 16-Bit Bar + Arcade, and No Soliciting, alleging violations of federal and state wage and hour laws affecting bartenders and servers at locations across the country.

The lawsuit claims that tipped employees were forced to share tips with non-tipped staff members, including managers and members of the “experience team.” It also alleges that bartenders were required to report to work at least an hour before scheduled shifts and stay well after closing to perform tasks such as cleaning, restocking, and equipment checks, while being paid less than minimum wage and unable to earn tips during those times.

Sanford DeRose Trial Lawyers, LLP partnered with Anderson Alexander, PLLC and Falls Legal, LLC to file a federal class and collective action in the U.S. District Court of South Carolina before Judge Hendricks (Case No. 2:25-cv-13409-BHH).

The lawsuit was filed on behalf of current and former hourly employees with patient care responsibilities who worked for the Roper St. Francis Healthcare system in South Carolina within the last three years. Plaintiffs allege that the healthcare system’s policies and practices failed to compensate employees for all hours worked.

Plaintiffs allege violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act and the South Carolina Payment of Wages Act. They seek unpaid compensation, liquidated damages, and attorneys’ fees and costs on behalf of themselves and other affected employees.

Sanford DeRose Trial Lawyers, LLP filed a lawsuit against OS Restaurant Services, LLC (Carrabba’s Italian Grill) in the Southern District of Ohio (Case No. 2:26-cv-00040-JLG-EPD) before Judge Graham. Plaintiffs allege violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act and the Ohio Wage Acts.

The lawsuit claims that Carrabba’s required bartenders and servers to share tips earned during their shifts with managers and server assistants who did not work during the tipped employee’s shift. It also alleges that bartenders and servers performed non-tipped work before, after, and throughout their shifts—such as rolling silverware, restocking, and cleaning workstations—while being paid less than minimum wage.

Plaintiffs seek lost wages, liquidated damages, and attorneys’ fees on behalf of themselves and other affected employees who worked for Carrabba’s within the last three years.

Sanford DeRose Trial Lawyers, LLP, along with Manes & Narahari, LLC, filed two lawsuits against Capital Management Services Group, Inc. and Center One, alleging violations of federal, Ohio, New York, and Pennsylvania wage laws.

Stoot, et al. v. Capital Management Services Group, Inc., et al. is pending in the Western District of New York (Case No. 1:24-cv-00592-LJV) before Judge Vilardo. Fulton, et al. v. Capital Management Services, L.P., et al. is pending in the Western District of Pennsylvania (Case No. 2:22-cv-823-MRH) before Judge Hornak.

The lawsuits allege that call center agents were required to spend time before and during shifts booting up software systems and addressing technical issues while off the clock. They also allege that agents were required to work through lunch breaks without compensation.

These practices are alleged to violate the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Ohio Minimum Fair Wage Standards Act, the New York Minimum Wage Act, the Pennsylvania Minimum Wage Act, and the Pennsylvania Wage Payments and Collection Act.