A Fresno hospital system faces a potential class-action lawsuit for not paying workers overtime and committing other labor violations.

Rachel Lerma filed the suit against Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno County Superior Court on March 11. She accuses the hospital of failing to pay overtime, provide meal and rest break premiums (when an employee misses a required break because of work), reimburse necessary business expenses, and pay wages owed upon termination.

The lawsuit does not specify Lerma’s role at the hospital, describing her only as an hourly, nonexempt employee.

The allegations include workers not being allowed to take legally required breaks and the hospital not accurately tabulating total hours worked and wages earned on wage statements.

“Because of defendants’ unlawful conduct, plaintiff and the class have been and continue to be systematically deprived of their benefits,” the lawsuit states.

The lawsuit describes the labor violations generally, without specific details of Lerma’s damages. It seeks unpaid wages, penalties, and attorneys’ fees.

“We have not been served with this lawsuit and cannot comment on pending litigation,” said Michelle Von Tersch, spokesperson for Community Health Systems — CRMC’s parent company.

Jason Hatcher, an attorney with Rancho Cucamonga-based The Myers Law Group representing Lerma, did not respond to a request for comment.

Seeking Class-Action Status

The lawsuit seeks class-action status, which would expand the number of plaintiffs, as well as the scope and complexity. The class would include nonexempt employees who worked for CRMC during the previous four years “who provide patient care services.”

A class-action suit groups several plaintiffs in a similar situation into one lawsuit. The court’s decision would be binding on the entire class.

According to her attorneys, “members of the class are so numerous that their individual joinder is impracticable.”

A case management conference is scheduled before Judge Lisa Gamoian on Sept. 29.