A former safety technician has filed a lawsuit against his previous employer, alleging significant violations of labor laws. Michael Callihan initiated legal action against Duphil, Inc., filing the complaint in the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana on December 18, 2024. The lawsuit accuses Duphil, Inc. of failing to pay overtime wages as required by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
Michael Callihan worked for Duphil, Inc. from September 2021 until November 2024 as a safety technician at Boardwalk Pipeline Partners in Youngsville, Louisiana. In his role, he was responsible for inspecting equipment and machinery, ensuring workplace safety compliance, and conducting safety meetings. Despite routinely working up to 78 hours per week—and sometimes more than 84 hours—Callihan was compensated on a "day rate" basis without receiving overtime pay. According to Callihan's complaint, this payment scheme violates FLSA regulations that mandate time-and-a-half pay for hours worked beyond the standard 40-hour workweek.
The plaintiff argues that Duphil's actions were not only unlawful but also willful violations of federal labor laws. The complaint references a precedent case—Helix Energy Sols. Grp., Inc. v. Hewitt—that identified similar "day rate" schemes as clear violations of the FLSA, entitling plaintiffs to overtime compensation and liquidated damages. Callihan asserts that Duphil's failure to comply with these basic labor standards could not have been made in good faith.
In seeking justice through the court system, Callihan requests several forms of relief: actual damages equivalent to unpaid overtime wages, liquidated damages under the FLSA, prejudgment and post-judgment interest, court costs, and reasonable attorneys' fees. Additionally, he demands a jury trial to resolve these issues.
Representing Michael Callihan is attorney Amanda Hilgendorf from Miller & Hilgendorf law firm based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The case is presided over by an unnamed judge in the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana under Case ID 6:24-cv-01766.