Summary:
Fitapelli & Schaffer, LLP, alongside Bruckner Burch, PLLC and Josephson Dunlap, LLP, are currently bringing a class and collective action lawsuit against Cobra Energy and Espada Security for unpaid wages. Following state emergencies such as natural disasters companies like Cobra Energy and Espada hire workers to provide aid, repairs, and security during the aftermath. The complaint filed against the companies states that they failed to pay overtime to its hired security and paramedic workers that worked in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Irma and Maria.
The affected workers were paid a day-rate regardless of the hours they worked during the massive devastation caused by Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico. These day-rate workers were hired by the company as independent contractors. This wrongful classification of workers as independent contractors instead of employees often occurs when companies try and skirt wage and hour laws denying hard working employees of rightfully earned wages. The affected day-rate workers had all aspects of their employment controlled by the companies, which would more closely resemble an employer-employee relationship as opposed to independent contractor set up. These day-rate workers often worked at least 8-12 hours a day six to seven days a week. Their schedules were way over 40 hours per week, and were allegedly not compensated for their overtime.
If you or anyone you know has worked for Cobra Energy or Espada in Puerto Rico and has questions about their pay do not hesitate to call our firm for more information at (212) 300-0375. Additionally, if you’ve worked as a recovery worker during hurricane season throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, or U.S. Virgin Islands, you may be owed money. Feel free to call us for a free phone consultation at (212)300-0375 or visit our website for additional information.
You can also view the complaint here.