San Diego Labor Trafficking Attorney

After a long battle for human rights, it is hard to believe that any form of slavery or forced labor is possible in our country. However, especially in California, labor trafficking is an insidious crime that persists to this day. Fortunately for victims, under the law, you can file a civil lawsuit against those responsible and seek justice, protection, and financial compensation for what you’ve been through.

If you or someone you love has survived labor trafficking, you are not alone, and we are here to help. At Thorsnes Bartolotta McGuire, we’ve spent over four decades standing up for people who have been harmed, silenced, or exploited. Our attorneys know how to handle labor and sex trafficking cases with care, skill, and compassion they deserve. 

Labor trafficking is a federal crime, and survivors have every right to hold their traffickers accountable, recover damages, and reclaim their power. You've been through enough. Let us fight for you. 

Call us at (619) 236-9363 or fill out our online form to schedule a free, confidential case review to learn more about how a San Diego labor trafficking lawyer can help you secure a more stable future.

“Working with the team at Thorsnes Bartolotta McGuire was a fantastic experience during a challenging time. I am so grateful for their professionalism, patience, persistence, and follow-through. While I hope I am never in need of a lawyer again for the rest of my life, I would definitely recommend this firm to anyone in need and would use them again, no questions asked. Thank you!!”

- Alicia C. | Client

What Is Labor Trafficking?

Labor trafficking occurs when fraud, force, or coercion is used to recruit a person for purposes of labor or employment. This can involve:

• False Promises: Being offered a good job with high pay, only to find out it was all a lie once you arrive. Your documents might be taken, or you might be told you owe a huge debt.
• Threats and Intimidation: Being threatened with harm to yourself or your family, or threats of deportation if you try to leave or speak up.
• Controlling Movement and Money: Being kept from leaving your living or working place, or having your money and identification documents taken away.
• Debt Bondage: Being told you owe a large, impossible-to-pay debt, and you must work to pay it off, even if you’re barely making anything.

The Disturbing Reality of Labor Trafficking in San Diego

In San Diego, we've seen cases of people being forced into work against their will in many different scenarios. 

Labor trafficking is a hidden crime. Unlike other forms of exploitation, it’s often hard to track or measure because it happens behind closed doors, in workplaces or homes, where victims may be isolated, threatened, or afraid to speak out. 

Many survivors are also undocumented or fear retaliation, which makes them less likely to report abuse. These challenges make gathering accurate data very difficult, but the numbers we do have are alarming:

• More than 30% of unauthorized Spanish-speaking migrant workers in San Diego County have experienced labor trafficking, according to one major study.
• Over 55% of this same population have faced abusive labor practices or serious exploitation, even if their experience doesn’t meet the legal definition of trafficking.
• The highest rates of abuse are reported in construction, janitorial and cleaning services, and landscaping.
• By comparison, the agriculture sector showed lower rates of trafficking-related violations.
• Violence and exploitation are far more common in the workplace than during transportation or smuggling. For example:
  
  • Just 6% of individuals reported trafficking violations during travel with smugglers.
  • But 28% experienced trafficking at their place of work.
• When factoring in both legal violations and exploitative practices:
  
  • 23% were victimized during transportation
  • 52% were victimized in the workplace
• California is one of the top four states in the nation for reported trafficking activity.
• San Diego’s geographic size and diversity make it easier for traffickers to move and hide victims across neighborhoods, complicating law enforcement efforts.

Unfortunately, labor trafficking occurs at institutions we often trust. There have been cases in which human trafficking networks operate at churches, for example, to recruit individuals based on fraudulent or false job offers or promises.

These aren’t just numbers. They represent real people, our neighbors, who are living in fear, often working long hours for little or no pay, and trapped in dangerous conditions they can’t escape.

If you or someone you know is being exploited, help is available. A San Diego forced labor attorney from Thorsnes Bartolotta McGuire can help you understand your rights and take action safely and confidentially. You can get in touch with our team online or by calling (619) 236-9363 today.

How Will a San Diego Labor Trafficking Attorney Help Me?

As a labor trafficking survivor, you require help and resources, but most of all, you deserve justice. Our attorneys fight zealously to protect the rights and welfare of labor trafficking victims. 

Based on the particular circumstances and facts of a case, we will discuss your options and how we can assist you. We may be able to help you:

• Take legal action against the defendants who were directly or indirectly involved in the illicit activities that harmed you or your loved one. These defendants may include everyone from the persons or businesses who deceived and transported the victim to those who assisted the traffickers and exploited the individuals.
• File a civil lawsuit against the offenders so the victim may receive the financial support needed to recover.
• Counsel you, guide you, and be with you through every step of the process as the victim or in support of a loved one.
• Get legal protection from law enforcement should the victim be in danger.

A recent Martindale-Nolo study found that having a personal injury lawyer can make a big difference. Over 90% of people with legal help received a settlement or award, compared to only about half of those who managed their claims without a lawyer. The right legal support can truly tip the scales in your favor.

Compensation Available in a San Diego Forced Labor Lawsuit

Facing those who exploited you can be a daunting step, but it is a powerful one towards reclaiming your life and seeking justice. A San Diego labor trafficking lawsuit aims to hold those responsible accountable and help you recover from the harm you’ve suffered. 

This isn't just about punishment for the traffickers; it's about getting you the financial support you need to move forward.

A civil claim can help you recover financial compensation for the harm you’ve suffered, including:

• Unpaid wages and overtime you were never given
• Medical care, including doctor visits, hospital bills, or ongoing treatment
• Mental health support, like counseling or therapy
• Pain and suffering, emotional distress, and trauma
• Housing or relocation expenses, when needed for safety
• And in some cases, punitive damages, which are meant to punish especially harmful conduct
  

In addition to filing a civil lawsuit, some survivors may also qualify for criminal restitution. This is money the trafficker can be ordered to pay as part of a criminal case, under the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act (TVPA). It’s another way the law works to help survivors recover from what they’ve lost.

Striving to Make Our Community Safer, One San Diego Labor Trafficking Lawsuit At a Time

At Thorsnes Bartolotta McGuire, our mission goes beyond legal representation. We fight to protect our community, to give voice to those who have been silenced, and to hold wrongdoers fully accountable for the harm they’ve caused.

When we take on a labor trafficking case, we don’t stop at the trafficker. We look closely at everyone who enabled the abuse, and we make sure no one hides behind a badge, a business, or a contract. Those who may be held legally responsible include:

• Employers who knowingly benefited from forced labor
• Contractors or subcontractors who used trafficked workers to cut costs
• Recruiters who lured workers with false promises or threats
• Landlords or housing managers who controlled or restricted victims’ movements
• Corporations that failed to monitor or clean up labor abuse in their supply chains
• Private individuals who coerced or exploited domestic workers in their homes

Justice doesn’t begin in the courtroom. It begins when a survivor makes the incredibly brave decision to speak up. We understand how difficult that step is. It takes courage to share your story, to reopen wounds, and to trust someone with the truth.

You’ve already survived more than most people can imagine. Let us help you take back the rest.

Talk With a San Diego Labor Trafficking Lawyer at Thorsnes Bartolotta McGuire

At Thorsnes Bartolotta McGuire, we’ve taken on high-stakes, high-impact cases for 47 years, and we’ve delivered over $2 billion in verdicts and settlements for people who needed someone in their corner. We bring that same level of commitment to every survivor who walks through our doors.

Your consultation is completely free and private. There are no upfront costs, and you only pay us if we win. Call our San Diego office at (619) 236-9363 or fill out our secure online form to get started. Your safety, confidentiality, and anonymity are our priority.

Proudly Representing San Diego Residents