Recently, together with our colleagues from Connolly Wells & Gray, LLP, attorneys from Kalikhman & Rayz, LLC initiated a class action against a Philadelphia franchise of the International House of Pancakes – a United States–based restaurant chain (commonly known as “IHOP”) that specializes in breakfast foods.
If you worked for an IHOP and have been taken advantage of or denied the compensation you are entitled to, do not hesitate to contact our team to discuss your legal options.
What is The IHOP Lawsuit?
As detailed in the complaint, International House of Pancakes required its employees to effectively work “off-the-clock” due to the time clock either not working or the owner and/or manager requiring them to “clock out” before commencing clean up or side work.
Initiated in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, the class action seeks compensation on the basis of the Fair Labor Standards Act, 29 U.S.C. § 201 et seq., the Pennsylvania Minimum Wage Act, 43 P.S. § 333.101, et seq., the Pennsylvania Wage Payment and Collection Law, 43 Pa.C.S. § 260.1 et seq., and common law causes of action.
Employment and Labor Law Violations
Employment and labor law violations can take multiple forms. IHOP is accused of violating rules and regulations regarding employee work hours and pay.
Our firm is actively involved in the investigation and prosecution of various aspects of “wage and hour” violations, especially in the restaurant and entertainment industries, such as “working off the clock,” failure to pay minimum wage, and failure to conform to the U.S. Department of Labor “tip credit” requirements. If you or anyone you know may have been victimized by nefarious employment practices, please do not hesitate to contact Kalikhman & Rayz, LLC.
How Class Action Lawsuits Work
Class action lawsuits allow a larger group of individuals who have been wronged by the same defendant to pursue legal action against them as a group. The IHOP class action lawsuit involves many current and former IHOP employees who have accused the restaurant of forcing them to work without being considered “on the clock” and otherwise denying them the fair wages and salary they are entitled to.
Although every case is different, here is a general idea of how class action lawsuits work:
- Your class action lawyer identifies a group of people who have grounds for similar legal action against a specific defendant, in this case, IHOP.
- The court system certifies the class so their individual lawsuits can be combined into one, and the case can be handled far more efficiently.
- The class is represented by a plaintiff or small group of plaintiffs that advocate for the interests of all involved class members (this is usually an experienced class action attorney).
- After certification, your attorney sends notice to other potential class members allowing them to opt out of the class if they choose to pursue their IHOP lawsuit as an individual.
- Next is discovery, where plaintiffs and defendants interview witnesses, obtain evidence to support their case and exchange this information with the opposite party.
- Your class action attorney handles settlement negotiations and pretrial motions to prepare the IHOP lawsuit for trial.
Unfortunately, if IHOP or other defendants refuse to settle outside of court, the class action lawsuit will move forward to a formal trial. At this time, the plaintiffs and defendants will present evidence, make arguments, and closing statements. The judge or jury will then make a decision and determine whether IHOP or other defendants should be ordered to compensate the class for their damages.
When damages are awarded, the entire class is awarded the settlement, with the court deciding how damages should be distributed amongst the members of the class. The economic and non-economic damages victims suffered will determine how much compensation they may be entitled to on an individual basis.
Since class action lawsuits are so complex, having an experienced legal advocate fighting for your rights may be the best way to ensure you receive the fair compensation you are entitled to.
Contact Our IHOP Lawsuit Attorneys to Explore Your Legal Options Today
Our IHOP lawsuit attorneys are here to help you demand the financial compensation you are owed. You can ensure IHOP and its affiliates are held accountable and compelled to compensate you for your back pay and other financial losses when you pursue a class action lawsuit with help from our personal injury team at Kalikhman & Rayz, LLC.
Find out how much you can expect from your case when you contact our team by phone or through our convenient contact form to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation as soon as today.
