amended complaint (class action) with exhibits

39
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA SUPERIOR COURT CIVIL DIVISION MICHAEL THOMPSON, et al. Plaintiffs, v. HEALTH MANAGEMENT, INC. 1707 L Street NW, Suite 900 Washington, D.C., 20036 ROBINSON ABRAHAM 911 Tanley Road Silver Spring, MD 20904 NURSING ENTERPRISES, INC. 5101 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, #250 Washington, D.C. 20016 MYRTLE R. GOMEZ 5408 Colorado Avenue, NW Washington, D.C., 20011 VIZION ONE, INC. 6856 Eastern Avenue NW, Suite 350 Washington, D.C., 20012 VENISIA KITWARA 2707 St. Josephs Drive, Apt. 51P Bowie, MD 20721 Defendants. __________________________________ ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) Case No. 2014 CA 007859 B Judge Michael O’Keefe Next Court Date: March 13, 2015 Event: Initial Conference AMENDED COMPLAINT Plaintiffs are home health aides employed by District of Columbia home care agencies, and by and through their counsel, the law firm of Woodley & McGillivary LLP, file this class action against their employers, the defendants, asserting violations of the D.C. Living Wage Act of 2006, D.C. Code § 2-220.01 et seq., the D.C. Wage Payment

Upload: tinareedreporter

Post on 21-Nov-2015

702 views

Category:

Documents


5 download

DESCRIPTION

D.C. home health care workers - who filed suit regarding backpay for unpaid wages, benefits and overtime last month - are now filing for the case to receive class action status.

TRANSCRIPT

  • DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA SUPERIOR COURT CIVIL DIVISION

    MICHAEL THOMPSON, et al. Plaintiffs, v. HEALTH MANAGEMENT, INC. 1707 L Street NW, Suite 900 Washington, D.C., 20036 ROBINSON ABRAHAM 911 Tanley Road Silver Spring, MD 20904 NURSING ENTERPRISES, INC. 5101 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, #250 Washington, D.C. 20016 MYRTLE R. GOMEZ 5408 Colorado Avenue, NW Washington, D.C., 20011 VIZION ONE, INC. 6856 Eastern Avenue NW, Suite 350 Washington, D.C., 20012 VENISIA KITWARA 2707 St. Josephs Drive, Apt. 51P Bowie, MD 20721 Defendants. __________________________________

    ))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

    Case No. 2014 CA 007859 B Judge Michael OKeefe Next Court Date: March 13, 2015 Event: Initial Conference

    AMENDED COMPLAINT

    Plaintiffs are home health aides employed by District of Columbia home care

    agencies, and by and through their counsel, the law firm of Woodley & McGillivary LLP,

    file this class action against their employers, the defendants, asserting violations of the

    D.C. Living Wage Act of 2006, D.C. Code 2-220.01 et seq., the D.C. Wage Payment

  • and Collection Act, D.C. Code 32-1301 et seq., and the Accrued Sick and Safe Leave

    Act of 2008 and Earned Sick and Safe Leave Amendment Act of 2013, D.C. Code 32-

    131.01 et seq.. Plaintiffs also file a collective action asserting violations of the overtime

    provisions of the D.C. Minimum Wage Act, D.C. Code 32-1001 et seq. As explained

    below, the defendants have, for years, flagrantly violated these basic wage and hour

    protections for workers set forth in laws enacted by the District of Columbia, and

    defendants have lined their pockets with the money owed the plaintiffs and to the

    detriment and expense of the plaintiffs. As such, the plaintiffs seek as a remedy back pay,

    liquidated damages, and all other relief available to them under the law, on behalf of

    themselves and all similarly situated home health aides employed by defendants.

    I. INTRODUCTION

    1. Plaintiffs are skilled and trained employees who are certified to provide in-home

    care for those who are unable to care for themselves. Plaintiffs perform essential work

    with low-income Medicaid patientswork that includes the provision of basic medical

    care and counselingwhich allows those patients to remain in their own homes and

    communities, rather than in nursing homes or other long-term care institutions. The

    hands-on care provided by plaintiffs on a daily basis allows these patients to continue to

    live at home and with dignity, without the added cost to the District of Columbia of

    institutionalized care.

    2. The District of Columbia Council has enacted laws intended to protect workers

    such as the plaintiffs. Those protections include a living wage for employees of

    government contractors, the requirement that wages be paid on a timely basis, that

    2

  • workers receive paid sick leave, and that workers receive overtime pay when working

    over 40 hours a week.

    3. Defendants, however, have repeatedly and blatantly flouted the laws and

    regulations of the District of Columbia designed to protect workers. For example, for

    years the defendants have deprived the plaintiffs of the receipt of a living wage, of timely

    pay, of their ability to use guaranteed paid sick leave, and of the overtime pay they are

    entitled to receive for all hours worked over forty per week.

    II. JURISDICTION 4. The Court has jurisdiction over this action pursuant to D.C. Code 11-921, D.C.

    Code 2-220.08, D.C. Code 32-1012, D.C. Code 32-1308, and D.C. Code 32-

    131.12. Further, all of the acts and omissions described herein occurred within the

    District of Columbia; accordingly, venue is proper in this Court.

    III. PARTIES

    5. Plaintiffs are, and at all time material herein have been, home health aides

    (HHAs) employed in the District of Columbia by one or more of the defendant home

    care agencies.

    6. All plaintiffs have given their written consent to be party plaintiffs in this action

    pursuant to D.C. Code 32-1012(b). A listing of the 161 plaintiffs currently in the case is

    attached hereto as Exhibit A. This list contains the names of the 149 plaintiffs who

    initially filed their consent forms with the Complaint on December 11, 2014, as well as

    those plaintiffs who are filing their consent forms along with this Amended Complaint.

    The additional written consents are appended to this Complaint in Exhibit B. These

    written consent forms set forth each plaintiffs name and address. Plaintiffs bring this

    3

  • action as a collective action on behalf of themselves and all others similarly situated in

    accordance with D.C. Code 32-1012(b).

    7. In addition to the claims of the individually named plaintiffs, Mahera Copeland,

    Misty Hopkins, and Shannon Williams bring Counts 1, 2, and 3 as a class action pursuant

    to D.C. Super Ct. R. Civ. P. 23 on behalf of themselves and as representatives of the

    following class:

    a. All home health aides employed by defendant Health Management, Inc.

    since December 2011, who cared for DC Medicaid clients, and who were

    not paid the living wage, who were not timely paid for all work time or

    who on some occasions were not paid at all, and/or who did not receive

    paid sick leave.

    8. Plaintiffs Lisa Nibblins, Valencia Pugh, Serena Corley, and Michael Thompson

    bring Counts 1, 2, and 3 as a class action pursuant to D.C. Super Ct. R. Civ. P. 23 on

    behalf of themselves and as representatives of the following class:

    a. All home health aides employed by defendant Nursing Enterprises, Inc.

    since December 2011, who cared for DC Medicaid clients, and who were

    not paid the living wage, who were not timely paid for all work time or

    who on some occasions were not paid at all, and/or who did not receive

    paid sick leave.

    9. Plaintiffs Linita Eddy-Montgomery, Anita Calhoun, and Sylvie Tagba bring

    Counts 1, 2, and 3 as a class action pursuant to D.C. Super Ct. R. Civ. P. 23 on behalf of

    themselves and as representatives of the following class:

    4

  • a. All home health aides employed by defendant Vizion One, Inc. since

    December 2011, who cared for DC Medicaid clients, and who were not

    paid the living wage, who were not timely paid for all work time or who

    on some occasions were not paid at all, and/or who did not receive paid

    sick leave.

    10. The District of Columbia Medicaid Program (DC Medicaid) is a federally

    assisted, District-operated program designed to provide comprehensive medical care and

    services to all eligible residents of the District of Columbia. The Department of Health

    Care Finance (DHCF) is the District of Columbia agency responsible for administering

    the DC Medicaid program and, to do so, enters into agreements with various health care

    providers (DC Medicaid providers), including agencies that provide home health aide

    services to eligible residents. These DC Medicaid providers must meet numerous

    requirements set forth by DHCF, including record-keeping requirements.

    11. Defendants, at all times material herein, are or have been licensed home care

    agencies, and the owners of such agencies, who provide home health care services to

    eligible residents in the District of Columbia. These agencies are DC Medicaid providers.

    12. Defendants, at all time material herein, have maintained lists of employees, and

    are aware of which plaintiffs have been employed by each respective home care agency.

    13. Defendant Health Management, Inc., is a for-profit corporation that employs

    home care workers in the District of Columbia, is licensed as a DC Medicaid provider,

    and has a place of business at 1707 L Street NW, Suite 900, Washington, D.C. 20036.

    14. Defendant Robinson Abraham is the owner of Health Management, Inc.

    Defendant Abraham, through Defendant Health Management, Inc., exerted control over

    5

  • plaintiffs sufficient to establish that he employed plaintiffs and is thus subject to liability

    under the relevant laws. His address is 911 Tanley Road, Silver Spring, MD 20904.

    15. Defendant Nursing Enterprises, Inc., is a for-profit corporation that, at all times

    material herein, has employed home care workers in the District of Columbia, was

    licensed as a DC Medicaid provider, and has a place of business at 5101 Wisconsin

    Avenue NW, #250, Washington, D.C. 20016.

    16. Defendant Myrtle R. Gomez is the president, owner, and registered agent of

    Nursing Enterprises, Inc. Defendant Gomez, through Defendant Nursing Enterprises,

    Inc., exerted control over plaintiffs sufficient to establish that she employed plaintiffs and

    is thus subject to liability under the relevant laws. Her address is 5408 Colorado Avenue,

    NW Washington D.C. 20011.

    17. Defendant Vizion One, Inc., is a for-profit corporation that, at all times material

    herein, has employed home care workers in the District of Columbia and was licensed as

    a DC Medicaid provider. Vizion One has a place of business at 6856 Eastern Avenue

    NW, Suite 350, Washington, D.C. 20012.

    18. Defendant Venisia Kitwara is the co-owner and vice president of Vizion One, Inc.

    Defendant Kitwara, through Vizion One, Inc., exerted control over plaintiffs sufficient to

    establish that she employed plaintiffs and is thus subject to liability under the relevant

    laws. Her address is 2707 St. Josephs Drive, Apt. 51P, Bowie, MD 20721.

    III. STATEMENT OF FACTS

    19. Plaintiffs duties as home health aides in caring for DC Medicaid patients include

    but are not limited to: basic personal care including bathing, grooming, and assistance

    with toileting and basin use; assisting the patient with transfer, walking, and exercise as

    6

  • prescribed; assisting with the patients self-administration of medication; changing

    urinary drainage bags; reading and recording temperature, pulse, and respiration;

    observing, recording and reporting the patients physical condition, behavior or

    appearance; meal preparation in accordance with dietary guidelines; assisting the patient

    with eating; keeping the patients living area in a condition that promotes the patients

    health and comfort; and infection control.

    20. Plaintiffs are trained and certified health care workers. They must complete 75

    hours of classroom and supervised practical training and pass a competency exam in

    order to receive their certification. Plaintiffs must attend continuing education or in-

    service training each year in order to retain their license.

    21. Defendants, as DC Medicaid providers, receive reimbursement for the care its

    aides provide from the District of Columbia. At all times material herein, defendants are

    and have been recipients of government contracts or assistance in the amount of $100,000

    or more.

    22. In February, an FBI investigation into Medicaid fraud by home care agencies in

    the District of Columbia led to the arrests of 20 people. The investigation uncovered $78

    million in Medicaid fraud. Ultimately, 13 agencies were suspended by DCHF for

    potentially fraudulent Medicaid transactions.

    23. During the fraud investigation of the home care agencies, defendants Nursing

    Enterprises and Vizion One instructed plaintiffs to continue to work their regular hours

    without being paidin direct violation of the law. For example, Plaintiff Deborah

    Edwards, a home health aide employed by defendant Nursing Enterprises, was forced to

    work without pay; plaintiff Milosha Stephens, a home health aide employed by Vizion

    7

  • One, was forced to work without pay; and plaintiff Doris Pickeral, a home health aide

    employed by defendant Nursing Enterprises, was forced to work without pay.

    24. Plaintiffs continued to workwithout any compensationduring the Medicaid

    fraud investigation of the home care agencies.

    25. Defendants failed to pay plaintiffs in a timely manner, if they paid them at all, for

    their work during this time, delaying payment for weeks or even months. Moreover,

    defendants have still not fully compensated plaintiffs for the hours they worked without

    pay during the Medicaid fraud investigation of the home care agencies.

    26. The Living Wage Act of 2006 requires government contractors, including home

    care agencies such as defendants, to pay a living wage to all employees. In 2014, the

    living wage was set by the D.C. Council at $13.60 per hour for employees of D.C.

    government contractors. In 2013, the living wage was $13.40 per hour. In 2012 and 2011,

    the living wage was $12.50 per hour.

    27. For years, defendants have failed to pay plaintiffs the living wage. For example, at

    all times material herein, plaintiff Lisa Nibblins was paid only $10.96 per hour as a home

    health aide for Nursing Enterprises; plaintiff Charlene Wilson-Jordan was paid only

    $10.50 per hour as a home health aide for Vizion One; plaintiff Tonieka Davis was paid

    only $10.50 per hour as a home health aide for HMI.

    28. None of the defendants have provided plaintiffs with backpay for the hours

    plaintiffs worked and for which they were compensated at a rate less than the living

    wage.

    29. The D.C. Accrued Sick and Safe Leave Act of 2008 and Earned Sick and Safe

    Leave Amendment Act of 2013 requires all District of Columbia employers to provide a

    8

  • certain number of hours of paid sick leave to all employees. Employers with more than

    100 employees must provide each employee with at least one hour of paid sick leave for

    every 37 hours worked, not to exceed seven days per year. Employers with at least 25 but

    less than 100 employees must provide each employee with at least one hour of paid sick

    leave for every 43 hours worked, not to exceed five days per year. Employees with fewer

    than 25 employees must provide not less than one hour of paid sick leave for every 87

    hours worked, not to exceed three days per year. Employers are also required to post

    notice of the sick leave provisions in a conspicuous place.

    30. At all times material herein, plaintiffs have not been given paid sick leave hours

    in violation of the law. For example, plaintiff Chenille Spencer, a home health aide who

    was employed by defendants Nursing Enterprises, did not receive paid sick leave;

    plaintiff Shannon Williams, a home health aide employed by HMI, did not receive paid

    sick leave; plaintiff Ebony Kerns, a home health aide who was employed by Vizion One,

    did not receive paid sick leave; and plaintiff Mahera Copeland, a home health aide

    employed by HMI, was not paid when she had to miss work due to illness.

    31. Under the D.C. Minimum Wage Act, employees such as the plaintiffs

    individuals who are employed by third-party home care agencies and not employed

    directly by the DC Medicaid recipients or their familiesare entitled to overtime

    compensation at a rate of not less than one-and-a-half times their regular rate of pay for

    the hours of work they perform above forty in any given workweek.

    32. At all times material herein, plaintiffs have worked over 40 hours per week for

    defendant home care agencies. As DC Medicaid providers, defendants are required to

    keep and maintain accurate records that fully disclose the extent of the services rendered

    9

  • to a beneficiary by a home health aide. Therefore, defendants have in their possession

    records that demonstrate those workweeks in which a plaintiff has worked more than 40

    hours per week without receiving overtime compensation for the hours above 40.

    33. During the times that plaintiffs have worked in excess of 40 hours in a week,

    defendants failed to provide plaintiffs with the rights and protections provided under the

    D.C. Minimum Wage Act, and did not pay overtime compensation for those hours in

    excess of 40 worked in a week. For example, plaintiff Linita Eddy-Montgomery, a home

    health aide who was employed by defendant Vizion One, worked 56 hours per week, but

    did not receive time and one-half overtime pay for the hours she worked over 40. Plaintiff

    Misty Hopkins, a home health aide who was employed by defendant HMI, worked 64

    hours every other week, but did not receive time and one-half overtime pay for the hours

    she worked over 40. Plaintiff Thomasina Burns, a home health aide who was employed

    by defendant Nursing Enterprises, worked 48 hours per week, but did not receive time

    and one-half overtime pay for the hours she worked over 40.

    34. As a result of defendants failure to properly pay the living wage, failure to timely

    pay, failure to pay overtime, and failure to provide paid sick leave, as is required by law,

    plaintiffs have suffered significant damages, and some have struggled to pay their rents,

    make their car payments, and pay their mortgages.

    IV. CLASS ACTION ALLEGATIONS

    35. Plaintiffs bring Counts 1, 2, and 3, set forth herein alleging a failure to pay the

    living wage, a failure to timely pay, and a failure to provide paid sick leave, as a class

    action pursuant to D.C. Super. Ct. R. Civ. P. 23 on behalf of themselves and respective

    classes of similarly situated individuals.

    10

  • 36. Plaintiffs living wage, failure to timely pay, and sick leave claims satisfy the

    numerosity, commonality, typicality, adequacy and superiority requirements of a class

    action.

    37. The classes identified in paragraphs 7 through 9 satisfy the numerosity standards.

    On information and belief, each class is believed to number in the hundreds. As a result,

    joinder of all class members in a single action is impractical. Class members may be

    informed of this class action through direct mail.

    38. There are questions of fact and law common to the each class that predominate

    over any questions affecting only individual members. The questions of law and fact

    common to each class arising from defendants actions include, without limitation, the

    following:

    a. Whether defendants paid plaintiffs the living wage as required by law;

    b. Whether defendants timely paid plaintiffs for all hours worked;

    c. Whether defendants provided plaintiffs with paid sick leave, and notice of

    their rights to such leave, as required by law.

    39. The questions set forth above predominate over any questions affecting only

    individual persons, and a class action is superior with respect to considerations of

    consistency, economy, efficiency, fairness and equity, to other available methods for the

    fair and efficient adjudication of these claims.

    40. The claims of the class representatives identified in paragraphs 7 through 9 are

    typical of those of their respective class in that class members have been employed in

    similar positions as the class representatives and were subject to the same or similar

    unlawful practices as the class representatives.

    11

  • 41. A class action is the appropriate method for the fair and efficient adjudication of

    plaintiffs living wage, failure to timely pay, and sick leave claims. Defendants have

    acted or refused to act on grounds generally applicable to the corresponding class. The

    presentation of separate actions by individual class members could create a risk of

    inconsistent and varying adjudications, establish incompatible standards of conduct for

    defendants, and/or substantially impair or impede the ability of class members to protect

    their interests.

    42. The class representatives are adequate representatives of the class because they

    are members of the class and their interests do not conflict with the interests of the

    members of the class they seek to represent. The interests of the members of the class

    will be fairly and adequately protected by the class representatives and their undersigned

    counsel, who have extensive experience prosecuting complex wage and hour,

    employment, and class action lawsuits.

    43. Maintenance of this action as a class action is a fair and efficient method for the

    adjudication of this controversy. It would be impracticable and undesirable for each

    member of each class who suffered harm to bring a separate action. In addition, the

    maintenance of separate actions would place a substantial and unnecessary burden on the

    courts and could result in inconsistent adjudications, while a class action can determine,

    with judicial economy, the rights of all class members.

    Count 1 Failure to Pay the Living Wage

    44. Plaintiffs incorporate by reference paragraphs 1 through 43 in their entirety and

    restate them herein.

    12

  • 45. At all times material herein, defendants were recipients of contracts in the amount

    of $100,000 or more from the District of Columbia government, and as such fell under

    the purview of the D.C. Living Wage Act of 2006 (LWA), D.C. Code 2-220.01 et

    seq.

    46. At all times material herein, plaintiffs and class members were affiliated

    employees employed by defendants pursuant to the LWA, D.C. Code 2-220.02, and as

    such are entitled to the rights, protections, and benefits provided under the LWA.

    47. As set forth in paragraphs 26 through 28 above, at all times material herein,

    defendants violated the LWA by failing to pay plaintiffs and class members the living

    wage.

    48. At all times material herein, defendants violated the LWA by failing to provide

    plaintiffs and class member with notice of the living wage hourly rate and the

    requirements of the LWA, as required by D.C. Code 2-220.06.

    49. At all times material herein, defendants violated the LWA by failing to provide

    plaintiffs and class members with compensation at the living wage hourly rate, as

    required by D.C. Code 2-220.06.

    50. As a result of the defendants violations of the LWA, plaintiffs and class member

    are entitled to backpay damages in the amount of their unpaid compensation representing

    the difference between what they were paid and what the law required they be paid as a

    living wage.

    51. In addition to the backpay owed under the LWA, plaintiffs and class members are

    entitled to a mandatory award of liquidated damages equal to treble their backpay

    pursuant to D.C. Code 2-220.08 and D.C. Code 32-1303(4).

    13

  • 52. The employment and work records for the plaintiffs and class member are in the

    exclusive possession, custody, and control of the defendants, and plaintiffs are unable to

    state at this time the exact amount owed to each of them. Defendants are under a duty

    imposed by D.C. Code 2-220.07 to retain all payroll records for employees subject to

    the LWA, as well as any other relevant employment records from which the amounts of

    the defendants liability can be ascertained.

    53. Plaintiffs and class members are entitled to recover attorneys fees and costs

    under D.C. Code 2-220.08 and 32-1308(b).

    Count 2 Failure to Timely Pay

    54. Plaintiffs incorporate by reference paragraphs 1 through 53 in their entirety and

    restate them herein.

    55. At all times material herein, plaintiffs and class members were employees

    within the meaning of the D.C. Wage Payment and Collection Law (WPCL), D.C.

    Code 32-1301 et seq., and as such are entitled to the rights, protections, and benefits

    provided under the WPCL.

    56. At all times material herein, defendants were employers within the meaning of

    the WPCL, D.C. Code 32-1301.

    57. As set forth in paragraphs 23 through 25 above, defendants violated the WPCL by

    failing to timely pay those plaintiffs and class members who worked without pay, and

    such violations occurred generally during the time period of the disruption caused by the

    freeze on Medicaid reimbursement payments from the D.C. Department of Health Care

    Finance.

    14

  • 58. Defendants failure to comply with the WPCL caused the plaintiffs and class

    members to suffer loss of wages and interest thereon.

    59. Due to defendants WPCL violation, the plaintiffs and class members suffered

    injuries, including monetary damages, and are entitled to compensation in the form of

    their lost wages and a mandatory award of liquidated damages in an amount equal to

    treble their unpaid wages, pursuant to D.C. Code 32-1303(4) and 32-1308(a).

    60. The employment and work records for the plaintiffs and class members are in the

    exclusive possession, custody, and control of the defendants, and plaintiffs are unable to

    state at this time the exact amount owed to each of them. Defendants are under a duty

    imposed by D.C. Code 32-1008(a) to retain all payroll records for employees, as well as

    any other relevant employment records from which the amounts of the defendants

    liability can be ascertained.

    61. Plaintiffs and class members are entitled to recover attorneys fees and costs

    under D.C. Code 32-1308(b).

    Count 3 Failure to Provide Sick Leave

    62. Plaintiffs incorporate by reference paragraphs 1 through 61 in their entirety and

    restate them herein.

    63. At all times material herein, plaintiffs and class members were employees

    within the meaning of D.C. Accrued Sick and Safe Leave Act of 2008 and the Earned

    Sick and Safe Leave Amendment Act of 2013 (D.C. Paid Sick Leave laws), D.C. Code

    32-131.01 et seq., and as such are entitled to the rights, protections, and benefits

    provided under these laws.

    15

  • 64. At all times material herein, defendants were employers within the meaning of

    D.C. Code 32-131.01(3).

    65. As set forth in paragraphs 29 through 30 above, at all times material herein,

    defendants failed to provide plaintiffs and class members with hours of accrued paid sick

    leave as is required by the D.C. Paid Sick Leave laws, D.C. Code 32-131.02.

    66. At all times material herein, defendants violated the D.C. Paid Sick Leave laws by

    failing to provide plaintiffs and class members with notice of their right to paid sick leave

    and the requirements of the law, as is required by D.C. Code 32-131.09.

    67. As a result of defendants violation of the D.C. Paid Sick Leave laws, the

    plaintiffs and class members suffered injuries, including monetary damages, and are

    entitled to their back pay for lost wages caused by the defendants violations, and

    compensatory damages or punitive damages, including at least $500 for every day an

    employee who was denied access to paid leave was required to work, pursuant to D.C.

    Code 32-131.12(e).

    68. The employment and work records for the plaintiffs and class members are in the

    exclusive possession, custody, and control of the defendants, and plaintiffs are unable to

    state at this time the exact amount owed to each of them. Defendants are under a duty

    imposed by D.C. Code 32-131.10b to make, keep, and preserve records documenting

    hours worked and paid leave taken by employees, as well as any other relevant

    employment records from which the amounts of the defendants liability can be

    ascertained.

    69. Plaintiffs and class members are entitled to recover attorneys fees and costs

    under D.C. Code 32-131.12(e).

    16

  • Count 4 Failure to Pay Overtime under D.C. Minimum Wage Act

    70. Plaintiffs incorporate by reference paragraphs 1 through 69 in their entirety and

    restate them herein.

    71. Plaintiffs have given their written consent to be party plaintiffs in this action

    pursuant to D.C. Code 32-1012(b).

    72. At all times material herein, plaintiffs and all other who are similarly situated

    were employees within the meaning of the D.C. Minimum Wage Act (DCMWA),

    D.C. Code 32-1001 et seq., and as such, are entitled to the rights, protections, and

    benefits provided under the DCMWA.

    73. At all times material herein, defendants were employers within the meaning of

    the DCMWA, D.C. Code 32-1002.

    74. At all times material herein, plaintiffs and all others who were similarly situated

    were employed in the District of Columbia within the meaning of D.C. Code 32-

    1003(b).

    75. At all times material herein, plaintiffs and all others who were similarly situated

    worked in excess of the hourly levels specified by the DCMWA, D.C. Code 32-

    1003(c). As a result, at all times material herein, these plaintiffs have been entitled to

    overtime compensation at a rate of not less than one-and-a-half times their regular rate of

    pay for the hours of overtime they have worked.

    76. As set forth in paragraphs 31 through 33 above, at all times material herein,

    defendants violated D.C. Code 32-1003(c) by failing to pay plaintiffs an overtime

    compensation rate of at least one-and-a-half times their regular rate of pay for every hour

    worked in excess of 40.

    17

  • 77. The regulations for the DCMWA exempt individuals employed as a companion

    for the aged or infirm from the overtime provisions. D.C. Code 13-1004; 7 DCMR

    902.5(b). Plaintiffs and all others who were similarly situated are not covered by this

    exemption because, among other reasons, they are employed by third-party agenciesthe

    defendantsrather than providing services in the private homes of their employer.

    78. Defendants violations of the DCMWA as alleged herein have been done in a

    willful and bad faith manner.

    79. As a result of the aforesaid willful violations of the DCMWA, plaintiffs and all

    others who were similarly situated are owed the overtime compensation which has been

    withheld by defendants from the plaintiffs who worked more than 40 hours per week for

    which defendants are liable pursuant to D.C. Code 32-1012(a), together with an

    additional amount as liquidated damages, as well as interest.

    80. The employment and work records for the plaintiffs and all others who were

    similarly situated are in the exclusive possession, custody, and control of the defendants,

    and plaintiffs are unable to state at this time the exact amount owed to each of them.

    Defendants are under a duty imposed by D.C. Code 32-1008(a) to make, keep, and

    preserve plaintiffs' rates of pay and amount paid each pay period to each employee, as

    well as any other relevant employment records from which the amounts of the

    defendants liability can be ascertained.

    81. Plaintiffs and all others who were similarly situated are entitled to recover

    attorneys fees and costs under D.C. Code 32-1012(c).

    IV. PRAYER FOR RELIEF

    WHEREFORE, plaintiffs pray as follows:

    18

  • (a) That the Court enter judgment declaring that the defendants have willfully

    and wrongfully violated their statutory obligations, and deprived each of the plaintiffs,

    and all others who are similarly situated, of his or her rights, privileges, and protections,

    as alleged herein;

    (b) That the Court order a complete and accurate accounting of all the

    compensation to which the plaintiffs, all others who are similarly situated, and class

    members are entitled, for violations of the D.C. Living Wage Act; D.C. Wage Payment

    and Collection Law; D.C. paid sick leave laws; and D.C. Minimum Wage Act;

    (c) That the Court award plaintiffs and class members monetary liquidated

    damages equal to treble their unpaid compensation for violations of the D.C. Living

    Wage Act and D.C. Wage Payment and Collection Law;

    (d) That the Court award plaintiffs who worked overtime hours, and all others

    who are similarly situated, monetary liquidated damages equal to their unpaid

    compensation for the willful violations of the D.C. Minimum Wage Act;

    (e) That the Court award plaintiffs and class members compensatory and punitive

    damages for defendants failure to comply with the paid sick leave requirements of the

    District of Columbia;

    (f) That the Court award plaintiffs, all others who are similarly situated, and class

    members interest on their unpaid compensation;

    (g) That the Court award plaintiffs, all others who are similarly situated, and class

    members their reasonable attorneys fees to be paid by the defendants, and the costs and

    disbursements of this action; and

    (h) That the Court grant such other relief as may be just and proper.

    19

  • 20

    DEMAND FOR A JURY TRIAL

    Pursuant to Rule 38 of the D.C. Superior Court Rules of Civil Procedure,

    plaintiffs hereby demand that their claims be tried before a jury.

    Respectfully submitted, /s/ Gregory K. McGillivary

    Gregory K. McGillivary D.C. Bar No. 411029 [email protected]

    Sara L. Faulman D.C. Bar No. 496679 [email protected]

    WOODLEY & McGILLIVARY LLP 1101 Vermont Avenue, N.W., Suite 1000 Washington, DC 20005 Phone: (202) 833-8855 Attorneys for Plaintiffs

  • Exhibit A

  • 1. Juliet Abrams

    2. Bency Acha

    3. Emeline Achidi

    4. Adebayo Adeniyi

    5. Gladys Adeniyi

    6. Taiwo Adenuga

    7. Gideon Adewale

    8. Mercy Adoghe

    9. Akouvi Agbenouvon

    10. Piyalo Agouzou

    11. Doris Ahaghotu

    12. Tunae Akinyele

    13. Maurine Akwi

    14. Leyla Ali

    15. Sabrina Armstrong

    16. Kehinde Arogundade

    17. Francoline Asongani

    18. Babatunde Ayanda

    19. Azinwi Ayanji

    20. Kathy Bailey

    21. Patricia Ball

    22. Barbara Bell

    23. Lilian Bine

    24. Nelson Bisong

    25. Deborah Boseman

    26. Ladon Boyd

    27. Constance Bradley

    28. Rose Brown

    29. Carol Burney

    30. Thomasina Burns

    31. Patricia Bynum

  • 32. Anita Calhoun

    33. Simon Chi

    34. Danita Clarke

    35. Dahonon Cobbina

    36. Ronisha Coker

    37. Roxieanna Coker

    38. Shelly Coker-Dixon

    39. Mahera Copeland

    40. Serena Corley

    41. Diane Covington

    42. Heather Covington

    43. Marcia Cox-Wise

    44. Ronda Croom Monroe

    45. Maribel Cuevas de Arno

    46. Cynthia Davis

    47. Tonieka Davis

    48. Debbie Diggs

    49. Ronald Dixon

    50. Arivi Dokou

    51. Linita Eddy-Montgomery

    52. Jacques Edimo

    53. Deborah Edwards

    54. Glory Egbujie

    55. Mark Elliott

    56. Victoria Eno

    57. Batomen Fabo

    58. Elizabeth Fagunwa

    59. Mbayi Farlon

    60. Pamela Feintangepse Wirten

    61. Adoshia Flythe

    62. Geoffrey Fongoh

  • 63. Atem Fonkem

    64. Jasmine Frank

    65. Maria Frederick

    66. Sonita Fullwood

    67. Tori Givens

    68. Joyce Glover

    69. Sharette Graham

    70. Katherine Gray

    71. Ronald Grey

    72. Leanda Hamilton

    73. Celess Hardy

    74. Tashameka Hinson

    75. Misty Hopkins

    76. Joanne Jack

    77. Mariana Jalloh

    78. Deborah Johnson

    79. Angela Jones

    80. David Jordan

    81. Charlene Jordan-Wilson

    82. Deborah Kale

    83. Pidinnewe Kao

    84. Portia Kelly

    85. Ebony Kerns

    86. Clint Kidido

    87. Evelyn King

    88. Solange Kutowu

    89. Yudatade Kweka

    90. Agnes Kwenthieu

    91. Evelyne Lemnyuy

    92. Vester Manyong

    93. Kyera Marcelli

  • 94. Nora Mbah

    95. Constance McBride

    96. Valarie McKenzie

    97. Aude Flore Mekontchou

    98. Asha Mohamed

    99. Matthew Moore

    100. Michelle Moore

    101. Agathe Mouto

    102. Marian Mua

    103. Florence Mukum

    104. Nahjela Muma

    105. Cornelius Neba

    106. Zephirine Neba

    107. Lynford Newland

    108. Pamela Nfor

    109. Odette Ngeumon

    110. Eric Ngnintedem

    111. Evelyn Ngomenang

    112. Joyce Nibblins

    113. Lisa Nibblins

    114. Marie Nlaah

    115. Chinwe Ogbonnata

    116. Janie Payne

    117. Donnice Philiips

    118. Phyllis Phillips

    119. Doris Pickeral

    120. Antwan Pixley

    121. Valencia Pugh

    122. Lynette Reece

    123. Tanya Robinson

    124. Blasima Rosario

  • 125. Issimatou Sadou

    126. Jean-Pierre Samba

    127. Pamela Sanvee

    128. Phyllis Scott

    129. Eula Sheffey

    130. Diane Smith

    131. Chenille Spencer

    132. Milosha Stephens

    133. Teresa Stewart

    134. Sallie Stone

    135. Angela Stubbs

    136. Sylvie Tagba

    137. Abraham Takoh

    138. Delphine Takoh

    139. Denilson Takoh

    140. Milton Tanjong

    141. Elizabeth Tebio

    142. Faith Teghen

    143. Carolyn Thomas

    144. Michael Thompson

    145. Gladys Tiba

    146. Mattie Tibbs

    147. Marie Tientcheu

    148. Yolande Tontsop

    149. Hanna Tsedal

    150. Monday Udosen

    151. Tousha Wade

    152. Robin Wallace

    153. Agwoh Werengie

    154. Helen Werengie

    155. Precilia Werengie

  • 156. Evelyn Whitner

    157. Shannon Williams

    158. Shantel Williams

    159. Jacklyn Wilson

    160. Kenneth Wirlen

    161. Helen Woldemariam

  • Exhibit B

  • Home Care Complaint_Class Action_FINAL_1 27 15EX AThompson Plaintiff List 1-27-15Ex BHHA_Additional Redacted_1 26 15