The forensic HR partner that protects California employers from compliance exposure.
California Labor Law Moves Fast.
Move Faster.
Whether you've received a notice or just want to sleep better, our forensic engine identifies your exact wage exposure—and the path to protection.
Select your current status to see your mandatory deadlines and available penalty caps.
See What a Single Violation Costs at Your Scale
Formula: Employees × Pay Periods × $100 penalty × 1.35 attorney fee multiplier
50 Employees
$162,000
24 pay periods × $100 × 1.35
150 Employees
$486,000
24 pay periods × $100 × 1.35
500 Employees
$1,620,000
24 pay periods × $100 × 1.35
Free. No account required. Results in under 2 minutes.
$47M+
Liability Reduced
500+
CA Employers Protected
98%
Cure Success Rate
15+ Years
CA Compliance Expertise
PAGA By The Numbers
Real data from analyzed PAGA cases. These are the numbers plaintiffs' attorneys don't want you to see.
$1.23M
Avg. PAGA Court Case Cost
Per employer settlement
33%
Goes to Plaintiffs' Attorneys
~$405K per case avg.
2 Yrs
Avg. Time to Resolve
707 days in court
6x
Increase in PAGA Revenue
$5.7M → $34.4M in 5 years
Demand Letter Trap
Plaintiffs' attorneys use threat letters to pressure employers into settling before a lawsuit is even filed. These settlements are never reported to LWDA or reviewed by any court — meaning there's no oversight that workers actually receive fair compensation.
Bay Area Employers: Highest Risk
Bay Area PAGA cases average $1.7 million per settlement — 38% higher than the statewide average. LA County represents 37% of all cases filed. If you operate in either region, your exposure is significantly elevated.
Data: CABIA Foundation analysis of LWDA records, FY 2013/14 – FY 2017/18. Court case data per SB 836 reporting requirements.
Why Act Now?
PAGA Fund revenue grew 6x in five years ($5.7M to $34.4M), with reserves exceeding $113 million. Lawsuit volume is accelerating — and under the 2024 reforms, employers who audit before receiving a notice lock in penalty caps that are unavailable once the letter arrives. Every day without a proactive audit is a day closer to full exposure.
2024 PAGA Reform: Cure + Good-Faith Steps
California's 2024 PAGA reforms created a tiered penalty system tied directly to employer action. The earlier you act, the lower your exposure.
of statutory maximum
Audit before any notice arrives. Document reasonable steps. Lock in the lowest available penalty tier under AB 2288.
of statutory maximum
Received a notice? Employers under 100 employees have 33 days to submit a confidential Proposal to Cure to the LWDA.
of statutory maximum
Without documented reasonable steps, penalties run $200 per employee per pay period. On 50 employees over 3 years: $1.56M+.
What the 2024 Reforms Actually Changed
Employers can now cure violations and resolve claims before court — if they act within the 33-day window (SB 92)
Good-faith corrective steps documented before notice = 85% penalty reduction, even if an audit finds violations
Post-litigation good-faith steps still reduce per-pay-period penalties from $200 to as low as $15
LWDA must now review Cure Proposals within 65 days — no response means the employee may file a civil action
Early Evaluation Conference (EEC) allows employer and plaintiff to negotiate before full litigation begins
4-year forensic lookback required — payroll, timekeeping, meal/rest, final pay, and wage statements all in scope
When Did You Receive The Letter?
Enter the date on your LWDA notice letter. We'll calculate every critical deadline and tell you exactly what to do next.
This is the date printed on the certified LWDA notice you received.
Four-Scenario Defense Framework
Select the scenario that matches your current situation to see your mandatory deadlines and available penalty caps.
The Preventative Shield
Proactive Audit Before Notice
BEFORE NOTICE
Lock in 15% penalty cap
Who this is for: Employers who have NOT received a notice but want to protect their enterprise.
Click to see full details, timeline, and deliverables
Violation Notification
Post-Notice Response
33 DAYS
From date of LWDA notice
Who this is for: Employers who just received a certified LWDA notice letter.
Click to see full details, timeline, and deliverables
Active Litigation Defense
Post-Lawsuit Strategy
IMMEDIATE
Request EEC + stay proceedings
Who this is for: Employers who have been served with a civil complaint.
Click to see full details, timeline, and deliverables
Traditional Wage & Hour Defense
Non-PAGA Wage Lawsuits
VARIES
4-year lookback (PAGA + wage + UCL)
Who this is for: Non-PAGA wage lawsuits where 100% of recovery goes to plaintiff.
Click to see full details, timeline, and deliverables
Standard Reports Hide the Truth
Your payroll system wasn't designed to protect you from PAGA claims. Our forensic approach was.
Temporal Handshake
Standard payroll reports hide errors. We use forensic sequencing to find the truth—even if your data is missing dates. Every punch-in, break, and meal is reconstructed to find the invisible violations.
2026 Multipliers
Don't let a $1,300 error turn into a $10,000 penalty. Our Cure Cards are calibrated for 2026 interest rates and SB 261 protection—the exact math you need to demonstrate "Reasonable Steps."
Expert Analysis
Our team identifies hidden wage gaps before they become costly lawsuits.
Marketing vs. Reality
What your payroll provider tells you vs. what actually happens in a California audit
What Your Payroll Provider Says | The Reality of a California Audit |
|---|---|
Your checks are printed correctly. | Doesn't matter if the meal was 1 minute late. |
We handle your taxes. | They don't handle your § 203 Waiting Time penalties. |
You have an OT report. | It doesn't link to the Regular Rate of Compensation (RRC). |
You're Safe. | You're a target until you have a Forensic Cure Card. |
How We Protect You
A systematic approach conducted by our compliance experts on your behalf
Data Collection
We gather your payroll records, time data, and employee classifications.
Forensic Analysis
Our compliance team uses forensic sequencing to find hidden violations.
Cure Calculation
We calculate exact principal, 7% interest, and liquidated damages owed.
Certification
You receive your 'Certification of Reasonable Steps' documentation.
Interactive Audit Tools
Use these tools to assess your risk and build your defense strategy.
Exposure Calculator
Max Autonomy Tool
Input # of employees and pay periods to see your total liability across Cure, Litigation, and Treble tiers.
Powered by
Relief Toggle Suite
Standing Checker
Max Autonomy Tool
Input plaintiff's name and specific allegations to validate their legal standing.
Powered by
Standing Validator
Cure Math Portal
Max Autonomy Tool
Upload raw data for "Make-Whole" math including 3-year back pay and 7% interest.
Powered by
Cure Proposal Generator
Your Best Defense is a Proactive Cure
"In California, the best defense is a proactive cure. Our system provides the mathematical proof required to certify that your business has taken 'All Reasonable Steps' to comply with the Labor Code."
Penalty reduction with proactive audit
Cure window after receiving notice
Per pay period penalty reduction
"PAGA IQ identified $2.3M in ghost liability we didn't know existed. We cured before the lawsuit was filed."
James R.
CFO, Healthcare Group
"The 33-day cure window saved us over $800K in potential penalties. Best investment we've made."
Maria S.
HR Director, Manufacturing
"Our payroll provider missed meal break violations for 3 years. Easeworks found them in 48 hours."
David L.
CEO, Retail Chain
"After a competitor got hit with a $1.5M PAGA suit, we got proactive. Now we sleep at night."
Sarah K.
Operations VP, Logistics
"The forensic audit paid for itself 50x over. We locked in the 85% penalty discount."
Michael T.
Owner, Restaurant Group
"Attorney-privileged protection gave us confidence to audit without creating liability."
Jennifer W.
General Counsel, Tech Startup
"PAGA IQ identified $2.3M in ghost liability we didn't know existed. We cured before the lawsuit was filed."
James R.
CFO, Healthcare Group
"The 33-day cure window saved us over $800K in potential penalties. Best investment we've made."
Maria S.
HR Director, Manufacturing
"Our payroll provider missed meal break violations for 3 years. Easeworks found them in 48 hours."
David L.
CEO, Retail Chain
"After a competitor got hit with a $1.5M PAGA suit, we got proactive. Now we sleep at night."
Sarah K.
Operations VP, Logistics
"The forensic audit paid for itself 50x over. We locked in the 85% penalty discount."
Michael T.
Owner, Restaurant Group
"Attorney-privileged protection gave us confidence to audit without creating liability."
Jennifer W.
General Counsel, Tech Startup
PAGA Resources for California Employers
Frequently Asked Questions About PAGA
Answers to the most common questions California employers ask after receiving a PAGA notice.
I just got a PAGA notice — what do I do first?
How far back can a PAGA lawsuit go?
What is the 33-day cure deadline?
What happens after the LWDA's 65-day investigation window?
How much does the average PAGA lawsuit cost an employer?
What are 'reasonable steps' and how do they reduce penalties?
Can I settle a PAGA case?
Do I need a lawyer for a PAGA claim?
Continue Strengthening Your Defense
Pair the PAGA Defense Audit with these resources for complete protection.
PAGA Employer Guide
Full breakdown of PAGA law, penalties, deadlines, and defense tactics.
PAGA Claims Process
Timeline, filing requirements, and defense options for PAGA claims.
PAGA Compliance Checklist
Actionable compliance steps to prevent PAGA violations.
PAGA Penalty Structure
Understand penalty tiers, calculations, and financial exposure.
PAGA Risk Assessment
Score your PAGA exposure and get a prioritized remediation plan.
Compliance Monitoring
Prevent new violations with real-time HALO IQ regulatory tracking.
PAGA Exposure Calculator
Estimate your potential PAGA liability with our interactive calculator.