TAMPA – A California woman and a Maryland man have filed a class action against a Tampa-based business over allegations that they did not receive overtime pay.
Margaret Cotter and Justin Duarte filed a complaint on behalf of individually and on behalf of others similarly situated on April 17 in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida against Bloomin' Brands Inc. and Bonefish Grill LLC citing the Fair Labor Standards Act.
According to the complaint, the plaintiffs worked as restaurant managers for the defendants and were misclassified as exempt from overtime pay. The plaintiffs holds Bloomin' Brands Inc. and Bonefish Grill LLC responsible because the defendants allegedly failed to pay plaintiffs overtime compensation for excess hours worked and failed to keep accurate records of hours worked by plaintiff.
The plaintiffs request a trial by jury and seek judgment against defendant, award of damages, liquidated damages, interest, equitable and injunctive relief, incentive, attorneys’ fees, costs of action, and other relief the court shall deem just. They are represented by Gregg I. Shavitz of Shavitz Law Group PA in Boca Raton and Michael Palitz of Shavitz Law Group PA in New York.
U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida Case number 8:17-cv-00910