Skip to main content

United States Department of Labor v. Los Cocos Mexican Restaurant, Inc.

D. Kan.January 29, 2025No. 6:22-cv-01004
Plaintiff WinLos Cocos Mexican Restaurant, Inc.$1,931,381.58 awarded
Facing something similar at work?Check your rights — free, private, no sign-up

Case Details

Nature of Suit — the legal category of the dispute
Labor: Fair Standards
Status — whether other courts must follow this ruling
Unknown
Procedural Posture — the stage the case had reached
jury verdict
State
Kansas

Related Laws

No specific laws identified for this ruling.

Claim Types

Wage Theft

Outcome

The Department of Labor prevailed on all FLSA claims against Los Cocos Mexican Restaurant and individual defendants. A jury found willful violations of minimum wage, overtime, and tip pool provisions, awarding $957,323.75 in back wages. The court subsequently granted liquidated damages of $974,057.83 and issued injunctive relief.

What This Ruling Means

**What Happened:** The U.S. Department of Labor filed a case against Los Cocos Mexican Restaurant, Inc. for violating the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The FLSA is the federal law that sets rules for minimum wage, overtime pay, and other worker protections. While the specific details aren't provided, these cases typically involve employers not paying workers properly - such as failing to pay minimum wage, not providing overtime pay for hours worked over 40 per week, or making illegal deductions from paychecks. **What the Court Decided:** The outcome of this case was listed as "unresolvable," meaning the court's final decision and any damages awarded are not available in the public records reviewed. **Why This Matters for Workers:** Even without knowing the final outcome, this case demonstrates that the Department of Labor actively investigates and pursues legal action against employers who may not be following wage and hour laws. Restaurant workers, in particular, should know their rights under federal law, including their right to minimum wage and overtime pay. If workers suspect their employer isn't paying them correctly, they can file complaints with the Department of Labor, which may investigate and take legal action on their behalf.

This summary was generated to explain the ruling in plain English and is not legal advice.

Browse more:Wage Theft cases

Browse Related

Facing something similar at work?

Court rulings like this one are useful, but every situation is different. Take 2 minutes to see which laws may protect you — it's free, private, and no account is required to start.

This ruling information is sourced from public court records via CourtListener.com. Case outcomes, claim types, and summaries are extracted using AI analysis and may be incomplete or inaccurate. It is provided for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.

See something wrong, or named in this ruling and want it corrected or redacted? Request a correction.