Gorrell et al. v. Wake County

On March 16, 2021, a collective-action lawsuit was filed against Wake County on behalf of EMTs, paramedics, and other similarly situated workers in Wake County.  In July of 2021, a motion to conditionally certify the class of workers was filed, and on July 23, 2021, U.S. Chief District Court Judge Richard E. Myers II approved conditional class certification on the claim that Wake County did not properly pay certain employees all of their overtime hours at the proper rate in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

The lawsuit—titled, Gorrell et al. v. Wake County—alleges that Wake County has violated the FLSA by not compensating EMTs/Paramedics and other similarly situated positions who worked the Late Peak or Night shifts on any Friday nights/Saturday mornings which overlapped workweeks at the proper premium overtime rate of one and one-half (1.5) times the employees’ regular hourly rate for all hours worked in excess of forty (40) per week.  Specifically, the lawsuit alleges Wake County required these employees to record all hours worked on the day they started even when a portion of the hours worked was on the following calendar day.  

For additional information about this lawsuit and how it may affect your rights, please see the attached Notice of Lawsuit.

If you believe your rights have been affected and would like to join this lawsuit, please complete the attached Consent to Join Form.

About Our Attorneys

Plaintiffs are represented by attorneys from Oxendine Barnes & Associates PLLC. The attorneys at Oxendine Barnes & Associates PLLC are experienced trial lawyers and dedicated advocates, representing clients in a variety of civil cases, including jury and non-jury trials in state and federal trial and appellate courts.