Work & The Law

Misclassification of Independent Contractors: Understanding the Consequences under Federal and Massachusetts Laws

Independent contractors play a vital role in the U.S. economy, providing services to businesses and individuals on a project basis. However, employers often misclassify employees as independent contractors to avoid paying benefits, taxes, and to sidestep various employment laws. As a result, independent contractors need to be wary of misclassification by their employers and understand their rights under federal and

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Independent Contractor Misclassification Class Action – Stallion Express, LLC

On January 28, 2024, Attorney Shafran filed an Independent Contractor Misclassification suit against Stallion Express, LLC, a pharmaceutical courier, and Pharmscript, LLC (collectively “Defendants”) alleging that the companies misclassified their pharmaceutical drivers as independent contractors in violation of Massachusetts law and the Fair Labor Standards Act. The suit seeks to recover damages on behalf of all Stallion and Pharmscript drivers

Read More »

Misclassification of Independent Contractors: Understanding Your Rights as a Massachusetts Worker

Misclassification of Independent Contractors: Understanding Your Rights as a Massachusetts Worker  Many workers in Massachusetts are classified as independent contractors, which means that they are not considered employees and are not entitled to certain employment protections and benefits. However, some workers may be misclassified as independent contractors when they should actually be classified as employees. If you believe that you

Read More »

Delivery Drivers Misclassified as Independent Contractors

The U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts has ruled that RXO delivery drivers were misclassified as independent contractors under the Massachusetts Independent Contractor Statute, G.L. c. 149, § 148B, entitling them to recover unlawful deductions taken from their pay. United States District Court of Massachusetts SUMMARY: (court decision – opens in PDF) “Plaintiffs Justin Muniz, Mohammed Belaabd, Jose

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Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Independent Contractor Misclassification Case To Proceed

The Massachusetts Appeals Court has reversed the dismissal of an independent contractor misclassification/unpaid overtime case brought against the Montachusetts Regional Transit Authority (MART), noting the different standard used determining whether an individual is an employee for purposes of discrimination claims versus unpaid wage claims in Massachusetts. Massachusetts Appeals Court SUMMARY: (court decision – opens in PDF) “In July 2021, the

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Seeking Reinstatement Under the Mass Wage Act

The Massachusetts Wage Act affords aggrieved employees the ability to sue their employers and recover for an employer’s failure to pay wages to which the employee was entitled. The Supreme Judicial Court recently address the issue of whether an employee may also seek reinstatement under the Wage Act.

Read More »

The Employment Status of Delivery Drivers

As the issue of independent contractor misclassification becomes more and more prevalent, rampant employment misclassification has become a frequent occurrence in the delivery, distribution and logistics industry. In a recent decision in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, the Court held that delivery drivers for a delivery and logistics company were improperly classified as independent contractors rather than

Read More »

Misclassification of Independent Contractors: Understanding the Consequences under Federal and Massachusetts Laws

Independent contractors play a vital role in the U.S. economy, providing services to businesses and individuals on a project basis. However, employers often misclassify employees as independent contractors to avoid paying benefits, taxes, and to sidestep various employment laws. As a result, independent contractors need to be wary of misclassification by their employers and understand their rights under federal and

Read More »

Independent Contractor Misclassification Class Action – Stallion Express, LLC

On January 28, 2024, Attorney Shafran filed an Independent Contractor Misclassification suit against Stallion Express, LLC, a pharmaceutical courier, and Pharmscript, LLC (collectively “Defendants”) alleging that the companies misclassified their pharmaceutical drivers as independent contractors in violation of Massachusetts law and the Fair Labor Standards Act. The suit seeks to recover damages on behalf of all Stallion and Pharmscript drivers

Read More »

Misclassification of Independent Contractors: Understanding Your Rights as a Massachusetts Worker

Misclassification of Independent Contractors: Understanding Your Rights as a Massachusetts Worker  Many workers in Massachusetts are classified as independent contractors, which means that they are not considered employees and are not entitled to certain employment protections and benefits. However, some workers may be misclassified as independent contractors when they should actually be classified as employees. If you believe that you

Read More »

Delivery Drivers Misclassified as Independent Contractors

The U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts has ruled that RXO delivery drivers were misclassified as independent contractors under the Massachusetts Independent Contractor Statute, G.L. c. 149, § 148B, entitling them to recover unlawful deductions taken from their pay. United States District Court of Massachusetts SUMMARY: (court decision – opens in PDF) “Plaintiffs Justin Muniz, Mohammed Belaabd, Jose

Read More »

Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Independent Contractor Misclassification Case To Proceed

The Massachusetts Appeals Court has reversed the dismissal of an independent contractor misclassification/unpaid overtime case brought against the Montachusetts Regional Transit Authority (MART), noting the different standard used determining whether an individual is an employee for purposes of discrimination claims versus unpaid wage claims in Massachusetts. Massachusetts Appeals Court SUMMARY: (court decision – opens in PDF) “In July 2021, the

Read More »

Seeking Reinstatement Under the Mass Wage Act

The Massachusetts Wage Act affords aggrieved employees the ability to sue their employers and recover for an employer’s failure to pay wages to which the employee was entitled. The Supreme Judicial Court recently address the issue of whether an employee may also seek reinstatement under the Wage Act.

Read More »

The Employment Status of Delivery Drivers

As the issue of independent contractor misclassification becomes more and more prevalent, rampant employment misclassification has become a frequent occurrence in the delivery, distribution and logistics industry. In a recent decision in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, the Court held that delivery drivers for a delivery and logistics company were improperly classified as independent contractors rather than

Read More »