California Mileage Reimbursement Lawsuits for Outside Salespeople
Last Updated on September 23, 2024
At A Glance
- This Alert Affects:
- Outside salespeople in California who used their personal vehicles for work and were not reimbursed for mileage, gas and other related expenses.
- What’s Going On?
- Attorneys working with ClassAction.org are investigating whether businesses in California are properly reimbursing outside sales representatives for use of their personal vehicles. If not, they may be able to file class action lawsuits to help those affected.
- How a Lawsuit Can Help
- If filed and successful, class action lawsuits could help outside salespeople recover money for auto-related expenses that were not reimbursed, plus interest. It could also force the company to change its reimbursement policy.
- What You Can Do
- If you weren’t reimbursed for driving expenses, fill out the form on this page. One of the attorneys working with ClassAction.org may then reach out to you directly via email or phone.
- Can I Be Fired for Speaking Up?
- Both California and federal law protect employees from being fired, demoted or otherwise retaliated against for exercising their legal rights.
Attorneys working with ClassAction.org are investigating whether certain companies in California are properly reimbursing outside salespeople for use of their personal vehicles at work.
As part of their investigation, they need to speak with outside sales representatives who weren’t properly paid back for mileage, gas and other related expenses to help determine which companies are acting in violation of California law.
If you’re not being reimbursed for use of your personal vehicle for work-related travel, fill out the form on this page and tell us about it.
After you get in touch, one of the attorneys working with ClassAction.org may reach out to you directly to explain more about their investigation and any options you may have. You may be able to file a lawsuit on behalf of yourself and other outside salespeople to recover proper reimbursement for use of your vehicles.
What Does the Law Say About Mileage Reimbursement in California?
The law regarding business expense reimbursement in California states that an employer must pay back “all necessary expenditures or losses” incurred by employees “in direct consequence” of the performance of their duties. Reimbursement for use of a personal vehicle for work-related travel generally falls under this provision of California’s Labor Code.
This means that outside salespeople who are using their vehicles to travel to and between the offices of clients or prospective clients should be reimbursed for related expenses.
What Expenses Could Be Reimbursed?
Lawsuits have been filed arguing that California workers should be reimbursed for:
- Auto insurance
- Mileage
- Gas
- Tolls
- Parking
In a successful case, workers who were not properly reimbursed may be able to collect the money owed to them, plus interest. The court could also declare the company’s reimbursement policy as illegal and require that they change it.
Can I Be Fired for Speaking Up?
Both California and federal law prohibit employers from retaliating against employees (e.g., firing, demoting) just because they’ve exercised their legal rights.
If you’re not being reimbursed for mileage and other vehicle-related expenses by your employer, fill out the form on this page and tell us about it. One of the attorneys working with ClassAction.org may then reach out to you directly to ask you a few questions, address any concerns you may have and explain how you could get back the money you missed out on. It doesn’t cost anything to speak to an attorney and you’re not obligated to take legal action after speaking to someone about your rights.
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