Lawsuit Alleges Forward Air Violated California Labor Law

Trucking company accused of only paying drivers for miles driven, not hours worked

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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A proposed class action lawsuit filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court accuses trucking company Forward Air of violating California labor law by paying its truck drivers based on mileage rate rather than compensating them for all hours worked, including non-driving duties such as truck and trailer inspections, waiting time, and other on-duty time.

Why it matters

This case highlights ongoing tensions between transportation companies and labor laws, as the trucking industry faces pressure to properly compensate drivers for all work-related time and expenses in states with strict labor regulations like California.

The details

The lawsuit, filed by Tiga Stevenson on behalf of current and former Forward Air drivers in California, alleges the company's 'improper compensation plan' failed to pay minimum wage for all hours worked and did not reimburse drivers for business expenses like use of personal phones. Other claims include failure to provide timely and accurate wage statements and pay all wages owed upon termination.

  • The lawsuit was filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court on February 17, 2026.

The players

Tiga Stevenson

The plaintiff who filed the proposed class action lawsuit against Forward Air on behalf of current and former California-based truck drivers.

Forward Air

A trucking company that provides asset-light transportation services across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and is accused of violating California labor law in its compensation practices.

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What they’re saying

“The lawsuit accuses Forward Air of 'pay[ing] its truck drivers based on milage-rate, which fails to compensate for non-driving time and commits other labor violations, including but not limited to, failure to pay wages, failure to reimburse business expenses, and other labor code violations and unfair business practices' in California.”

— Tiga Stevenson, Plaintiff (cdllife.com)

What’s next

The lawsuit seeks unpaid minimum wage, statutory damages, reimbursement of business expenses, and an order requiring Forward Air to comply with California Labor Code with respect to currently employed drivers.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenges transportation companies face in properly compensating drivers under strict state labor laws, as the trucking industry continues to grapple with issues of fair pay and worker classification.